[Well-Curated] Time for some antique, art hunting

Nicknamed “house of treasures,” Ace Four House in the Euljiro neighborhood is frequented by people on the hunt for unique antiques as well as casual visitors browsing the exotic items on display.

The owner of Ace Four House, Kim Ji-yeon, who studied fashion communication in Seoul and Europe, was an avid collector of European antiques even before she opened the shop.

“Before the pandemic hit, I would travel to the outskirts of cities in Europe where they have rare antique art collections. I would always come back to Korea with my luggage filled with items. I find it mesmerizing to collect the stories of each piece along the way,” the owner said, adding that sharing the different perspectives on the pieces with the visitors is what gives her joy.

The price range is wide so you can drop by with a bit of pocket money, or invest in a piece to suit your home.

A dimly lit cozy cocktail bar, the Ace Four Club, is located above the shop. But be warned -- after a few drinks you might end up buying more than you planned.

Ace Four House is located on the second floor of the Samhwa Paint building near Euiljiro-3-ga Station, Exit No. 1. It is open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

You can check out the store’s Instagram page for the latest updates on some of the antiques, including information on when and where they were bought.

The store’s collection changes every two to three months.

Autumn Art Market at Seoul Arts Center 

If you are on the hunt for affordable art, the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, is hosting the Autumn Art Market starting Friday at the Hangaram Arts Center Museum. Some 88 artists, including 24 young artists selected by the Seoul Arts Center, are participating in the event. Organizers say it is an opportunity for would-be art buyers who are not sure where to start to perhaps make their first purchase.

The market will be held through Oct. 24, and some of the participating artists will be on-site at the market to explain their works. All sales proceeds go to the artists. With prices starting at 100,000 won ($84), the art market is far removed from the exclusive playground of the rich and famous that VVIP-centric art fairs often cater to.

The market is open 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., and will be held at the museum’s three exhibition halls. The museum is closed Mondays and admission is free.

Chrysanthemum viewing at Garden of Morning Calm

Catch the Wild Chrysanthemum Exhibition before it ends on Oct. 17 at the Garden of Morning Calm in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

While the garden is filled with colorful blossoms in the spring and the summer, visitors can enjoy the Chrysanthemum Festival during the fall months along with the blazing fall foliage of nearby Chungnyeongsan.

A myriad of chrysanthemums in full bloom cover virtually every corner of the outdoor garden.

The festival offers a program at Class House every Sunday, where participants can make a terrarium for a small plant, including a moss ball. The garden offers other programs for visitors to experience the joy of gardening.

Most programs run for 20 minutes, and prices vary.

Meanwhile, the Chrysanthemum Exhibition kicks off Oct. 16 and runs through Nov. 21. Aside from flowers, the exhibition presents many aspects of Korean gardening from trees to small stone walls.

You can check out the updated information about the exhibitions at the Garden of Morning Calm on its official website.

By Culture desk
(hykim@heraldcorp.com)
(yunapark@heraldcorp.com)
(sj_lee@heraldcorp.com)

By Korea Herald (khnews@heraldcorp.com)