Leeum, Samsung Art Museum

Launched in 2004, Leeum, Samsung Art Museum is home to the cultural and artistic legacies of Korea's past, present and future; The museum's architecture reflects the work of world-renowned architects such as Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas. Leeum develops new geo-cultural structures that connect Seoul's main cultural institutions, along with the National Museum of Korea and the National Theater. Leeum strives to protect and share the priceless cultural heritages of the past, to broaden the cultural horizons of the present, a museum of new ideas, a bridge between the East and the West, with a vision of the future. look to the future.

Conceptually complementing rather than competing with its surroundings, the landscape at Leeum is designed to provide visitors with a visually rich palette. Visitors to the Museum can rest on benches at the center; stop to admire the view from a series of steps leading downhill, or enjoy the native plantations of azaleas, pines, and birch trees that make up Nouvel's impressive gabions walls, and the bamboo stalks set the background for the glorious scene of the round lights, all grey-green. Using directional paving patterns, identity graphics, and LED art installations to guide movement through the landscape, the landscape transforms this dynamic structure into a medium to honor and harmonize the permanent structure of the buildings. house and artwork.

More than 120 artifacts are displayed on four floors of three Leeum museum buildings. Of these works, there are 36 works designated as National Treasures, including paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, metalwork, and Buddhist sculptures. A traditional art gallery, a contemporary and modern art gallery, and a third building, called Samsung Children's Education & Culture Center, are spaces for the next generation of artists. the next scholar and cultural leader.

Leeum, Samsung Art Museum has Museum 1 and Museum 2.

Museum 1: A terracotta brick fortress by Swiss architect Mario Botta, which permanently displays traditional Korean art from the Goryeo Dynasty (937-1392) and Joseon Dynasty (1395) – 1910). Museum 1 has four floors, displaying paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, metalwork, wood and Buddhist art.

- Museum 2: A stainless steel structure designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, displaying more than 80 modern and contemporary works of art by Korean and international artists. . Korean art found here dates back to 1910, while international works date back to the end of World War II in 1945. Modern art in Museum 2 focuses on certain Korean artists. Artists Chungjeon Lee Sang-beom and Sojung Byeon Kwan-sik were some of the first to make the transition from traditional to modern techniques with Korean oriental paintings. Artists Lee In-sung, Lee Joong-Seop, Park Soo-keun and Chang Uc-chin blend Western style and Korean painting methods. The artworks of Kim Whan-ko and Nam June Paik have gained international recognition and set the standard for modern art in Korea. International artists are also recognized here for their contributions to modern art. Some of these artists include Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Andreas Gursky, Alberto Giacometti, Francis Bacon, Joseph Beuys, and even Andy Warhol.

Address: 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul,

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:30 – 18:00 (Monday: closed)

Admission: 10,000 won (adults) / 5,000 won (children & youth 7-24 years old, people over 65 years old) / free (children under 6 years old)