The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art was established in 1965 by the late Samsung founder Lee Byung-Chul to display his private collection of Korean national treasures and works of art. Since then, the institution has grown to include contemporary works from around the world, and has become one of the most recognized and respected galleries in the country. The museum makes an immediate impression on entering visitors with its instillation of Louise Bourgeois' "Maman," a gigantic steel and marble spider sculpture that measures over 30-ft. high. The outdoor exhibition's sinister spider (also on display at London's Tate Modern and Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum) not only illustrates Leeum's prestige as a gallery, but also foreshadows the contrasts that await visitors in the museum's halls.
Museum 1 was designed by Maria Botta, who incorporated patterns of traditional Korean castles into the building's architecture. The citadel-like structure appropriately secures some of Korea's most prized works, including Buddhist art, paintings, metalwork, and calligraphy that date as far back as the prehistoric era. The works are centered around an impressive rotunda that emulates Korean porcelain, undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in Asia. Low lighting adds a church-like sacredness to the collection, highlighting the importance of each artifact, which can be explored more thoroughly via an English digital guide, which can be rented for ₩2,000. Jean Nouvel's Museum 2 design, with its glass walls, blocky structure, and rusted stainless-steel materials anticipates the contemporary pieces housed inside it. Unlike Museum 1, the exhibition spaces in Museum 2 use natural light to complement the modern distinctiveness of the permanent exhibits. Both international and Korean contemporary works are displayed, including pieces by Baek Namjun, Donald Judd, Jean Dubuffet, and Kim Hwangi.
The Leeum's collection may be smaller than those of other world-renowned galleries, but the well-curated works and unforgettable atmosphere make it worth a visit for anyone with an appreciation for contemporary art.
The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art was established in 1965 by the late Samsung founder Lee Byung-Chul to display his private collection of Korean national treasures and works of art. Since then, the institution has grown to include contemporary works from around the world, and has become one of the most recognized and respected galleries in the country. The museum makes an immediate impression on entering visitors with its instillation of Louise Bourgeois' "Maman," a gigantic steel and marble spider sculpture that measures over 30-ft. high. The outdoor exhibition's sinister spider (also on display at London's Tate Modern and Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum) not only illustrates Leeum's prestige as a gallery, but also foreshadows the contrasts that await visitors in the museum's halls.
Museum 1 was designed by Maria Botta, who incorporated patterns of traditional Korean castles into the building's architecture. The citadel-like structure appropriately secures some of Korea's most prized works, including Buddhist art, paintings, metalwork, and calligraphy that date as far back as the prehistoric era. The works are centered around an impressive rotunda that emulates Korean porcelain, undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in Asia. Low lighting adds a church-like sacredness to the collection, highlighting the importance of each artifact, which can be explored more thoroughly via an English digital guide, which can be rented for ₩2,000. Jean Nouvel's Museum 2 design, with its glass walls, blocky structure, and rusted stainless-steel materials anticipates the contemporary pieces housed inside it. Unlike Museum 1, the exhibition spaces in Museum 2 use natural light to complement the modern distinctiveness of the permanent exhibits. Both international and Korean contemporary works are displayed, including pieces by Baek Namjun, Donald Judd, Jean Dubuffet, and Kim Hwangi.
The Leeum's collection may be smaller than those of other world-renowned galleries, but the well-curated works and unforgettable atmosphere make it worth a visit for anyone with an appreciation for contemporary art.
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