October in the domestic art market is typically a quieter month, marked by a lack of major events. However, thanks to the introduction of the art fair brand "Define Seoul" at Art Busan last year, this October offers new opportunities for exploration. This report aims to highlight Define Seoul, which expands the scope of domestic art fairs through design, as well as introduce other distinctive fairs that go beyond fine art.

Define Seoul 2024, a blend of the terms "design" and "fine art," seeks to connect these two realms and redefine our approach to art. The event will take place from October 30th to November 3rd at S Factory in Seongsu-dong. Unlike last year, which utilized multiple venues throughout the Seongsu area, this year’s fair will be consolidated within a single building. This change aims to simplify visitor circulation, reduce fatigue, and enhance the overall viewing experience.

Define Seoul 2023 featured participation from 25 domestic and international galleries, design studios, and premium brands. Over the five-day event, it attracted 6,000 visitors, demonstrating its significant appeal. In terms of sales performance, the inaugural fair achieved commendable results. One standout was Kukje Gallery, showcasing a solo booth by artist Hong Seung-hye, who explores the boundaries between design and art through diverse three-dimensional works. This aligns perfectly with Define Seoul's vision of harmonizing design and fine art, earning widespread acclaim. This positive reception translated into sales, with a total of 15 artworks sold.

Galerie Philia, based in Geneva and New York, made its debut in Korea at Define Seoul, successfully selling Jérôme Pereira's suspension sculptures last year. The price range for Pereira’s sculptures is approximately 10 million KRW, while his lighting pieces range from about 29 million KRW to 100 million KRW. Meanwhile, Efremidis Gallery from Berlin sold large-scale paintings by Tony Just, including Listening to Witches, as well as works by Aura Rosenberg, which encompass both paintings and lenticular pieces. The pricing for Aura Rosenberg’s paintings varies by motif and size, generally ranging from around 11 million KRW to 40 million KRW.

Additionally, Cheyul showcased four Ottchil bags by artist Jeong Kwang-bok, priced at 60,000 KRW for the Collector Series (9x9 cm), along with multiple paintings by Yunyoung Jeong, priced at 1.5 million KRW for 50x50 cm works. At Tang Contemporary, the gallery sold Chun Kwang Young's Aggregation22-SE229(2022) for 280 million KRW. These sales highlight the active participation and engagement across various booths at the fair.

At Define Seoul 2024, which will feature over 40 domestic and international galleries and design studios, one noteworthy participant is the Italy-UK design studio GIOPATO & COOMBES. Last year, the studio not only achieved on-site sales but also received over 40 custom artwork inquiries, reflecting its strong popularity in Korea.

In September, a section of the limited-time exhibition "Salon Hannam 2024" at Hanwha Life Plus showcased lighting inspired by plum blossoms. Additionally, Gallery Shilla is currently hosting an exhibition running until October 20th, where these designs are recognized as art pieces in their own right. A standout piece is the Maehwa lighting, inspired by Korea's plum blossoms, featuring branches in full bloom. The price varies based on the number of glass flowers, with the Maehwa Chandelier Flow 26 priced around 38 million KRW.

Another noteworthy participant is White Stone Gallery, based in Tokyo. The gallery represents prominent artists such as Egami Etsu, Tsubota Masayuki, and Jung Haiyun. Egami Etsu is emerging as a notable Japanese artist, with oil paintings in the size of 120F priced between 40 million KRW and 52 million KRW, while smaller 20F works sell for around 15 million KRW. Jung Haiyun is also a sought-after artist in auctions, having had a 50F piece sold for 12 million KRW at the Seoul Auction in October 2023.

While Define Seoul aims to balance design and fine art, last year’s fair was perceived to lean more toward fine art. This year, the emphasis on design is expected to be strengthened, making the quest for a more appropriate balance a key point of interest.

In addition to Define Seoul, various domestic fairs are currently underway or in preparation that transcend the boundaries of fine art. One notable event is the "2024 Insadong Antique & Art Fair," taking place in Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, until October 20th. The fair is divided into four parts: Part 1: Tea and Craft Fair (September 26–29), Part 2: Antique Fair (October 3–6), Part 3: Hanbok Fair (October 10–13), and Part 4: Art Fair (October 17–20). Each segment offers a diverse array of antique artworks in one location. Notably, the "Antique Fair," the largest of its kind in Korea, will feature prominent companies engaging with antique collectors.

From November 15th to 17th, the Seoul Museum of Art will host the "Unlimited Edition 16: Seoul Art Book Fair 2024." Established in 2009, this annual fair focuses on art books and independent publishing, bringing together over 200 artists, publishers, and brands to showcase their latest works. The fair provides a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with the diverse and innovative designs created by various designers working within the medium of publishing. It has consistently garnered popularity for its dynamic offerings and the chance to collect unique publications.

References

• ‘디파인 서울 2023’ 폐막, 한국발 글로벌 아트페어 브랜드 성장성 증명해
  
• 드디어, 드디어, 드디어: 디파인 서울 2023
  
• Galerie Philia: Jérôme Pereira
  
• '2024 인사동 엔틱&아트페어' 26일 개막…한복 패션쇼 축하공연
  
• UE16 언리미티드 에디션 홈페이지