Seochon: Explorative Hike

Seoul is a fascinating city, which use to be the capital for more than 600 years, has a lot of interesting history and different stories behind it.
Since it has been the capital for so long there are old towns which has been here for few centuries.
Seochon is one of the old towns with a lot of historical background.
If you are interested, let's find out together!
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Galleries

Hong Geon-ik House presents the ‘Galleries’ route of the Seochon walking tour.

Located west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, these artistic hubs have significantly contributed to the cultural vitality of the neighborhood. This tour invites you to explore Seochon's unique galleries, which have been shaped over time by local artists.

Starting at the Hong Geon-ik House, you will traverse the alleys of Seochon, encountering galleries that showcase artworks and narrate the stories behind their spaces. By engaging with these distinctive galleries, you will gain a deeper appreciation of contemporary art and culture, enhancing your understanding of the neighborhood's historical and artistic context.

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Main spots to visit:

 
📍Art Space 3:
Art Space 3 is an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art, featuring a unique archaeological room that showcases excavated 16th-century residential structures and artifacts. Established in Insadong in 2013, the gallery relocated to Seochon in 2018. The "3" in its name symbolizes the harmony and balance between artists, viewers, and the art space itself. Art Space 3 is committed to discovering and nurturing Korean artists, supporting their continuous creative activities to foster growth and contribute to the multifaceted development of the Korean art scene.


📍Gallery Simon:

Gallery Simon has been at the forefront of the contemporary art scene since its inception in 1994. It has continuously curated a wide range of exhibitions that illustrate the evolving trends of modern art, including solo shows by its resident artists, the Arrival series which introduces up-and-coming artists from both domestic and international scenes, and the Digital Transitions exhibition that highlights globally recognized media artworks and exhibitions curated by guest curators. Through these diverse programs and dedicated support, Gallery Simon champions the artistic integrity, beliefs, and avant-garde aesthetic explorations that define contemporary art.

📍Boan 1942:
Boan 1942, originally the Tongui-dong Boan Inn, served as a resting place for countless travelers from the 1930s to 2004 and is and is a historic landmark imbued with the spirit of modern Korean literature. Transformed in 2007 into a multidisciplinary arts venue and expanded in 2017, it now operates as "Boan 1942." The facility features three distinct exhibition areas, collectively known as Art Space Boan, which explore the potential of contemporary art through various media. Boan 1942 aims to reshape the cultural landscape and redefine the parameters of cultural populism through its innovative artistic practices.

📍Factory2:

Factory 2, initiated in 2018, signifies the second phase of Gallery Factory, embodying a new identity. It functions as a nexus for artistic collaboration, uniting professionals like artists, designers, architects, curators, musicians, and dancers. Central to Factory2 is the "Factory Collective," a collaborative zone where participants immerse deeply in their chosen subjects. This space is at the forefront of pioneering methods in art space management and artistic collaborations, consistently unveiling a diverse array of projects including exhibitions, publications, performances, and workshops.

📍Art Space Seochon:

Opened in 2024, Art Space Seochon aims to revive the vibrant exchanges typical of modern salon culture, establishing itself as both a dynamic hub and an artistic playground. It connects contemporary artists with collectors, nurturing emerging talents through incubation programs and providing educational initiatives for collectors. The goal is to develop international artists and facilitate their integration into the global arts and culture scene.

📍Space Willing N Dealing:

Space Willing N Dealing is a platform dedicated to showcasing diverse contemporary Korean artists. Founded in Seoul'

s Gyeongridan-gil in 2012 and later relocating to Bangbae-dong in 2015, it is now based in the Seochon area. With extensive experience across the art scene, the organization actively develops flexible, multifaceted content. It expands its network through exhibitions, educational initiatives, artist research, and collaborations with other institutions, continually producing and distributing contemporary art content.

📍Project Space Sarubia:

Project Space Sarubia is a nonprofit exhibition space that champions experimental art. It was first established in Insadong in 1999 before moving to Changseong-dong in 2011. Sarubia is committed to fostering artists who showcase original thought and a spirit of experimentation. The venue provides ongoing support to artists, ensuring that exhibitions are not just one-off events but are stepping stones for developing their artistic work further. This approach has helped cultivate an alternative exhibition culture within the Korean art scene.

Host : Seoul Metropolitan Government
Organizer : OPENHOUSE
Planning : OPENHOUSE
Tour Run by: Yang Daeun

photo © Hong Geon-ik House. All rights reserved

*Some places might not be able to go in. In this case, it’s going to be an outside visit.

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❕❗️Even the time slot you want is full, let me know when you want to join, and I’ll try my best to make a spot for you😄