Seoul art fairs affirm global potential as Kiaf, Frieze close

The country's two largest art fairs — Kiaf Seoul and Frieze Seoul — concluded over the weekend, drawing a substantial crowd of art enthusiasts and reaffirming their potential to become pivotal art events beyond Asia. During the festival period, which ran Wednesday to Sunday with Frieze closing one day earlier, approximately 70,000-80,000 visitors from 48 countries visited the two concurrent fairs each at the COEX exhibition center in southern Seoul. Wednesday's exclusive previews attracted a host of influential figures from the art world, including high-ranking South Korean officials, such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and first lady Kim Hea Kyung. Officials from global art institutions, like the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and Tate Modern in London, were also present. The event further sparkled with the attendance of cultural figures, including K-pop stars, like BTS members and BLACKPINK's Lisa, alongside other celebrities. A headline-capturing sale at Frieze Seoul occurred on the preview day, where Zurich-based Hauser & Wirth sold Mark Bradford's "Okay, then I apologize" (202Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times