Airports have a key role to play in championing a city’s or country’s craft, culture, tastes and traditions. For visitors they offer the first and last impression of the locality, for that city’s citizens they provide a source of civic pride. An arts & culture programme connects passengers to a place in the same way an airport connects them to the world. Many airport companies embrace that role with pride and passion.
SOUTH KOREA. Shinsegae Duty Free has partnered with the Seobo Art Foundation to launch an art project named ‘Park Seo-Bo X Paul+Bani Art Space’ at Incheon International Airport.
The collaboration combines a distinctive blend of contemporary and traditional art, showcasing the works of the late Dansaekhwa (Korean art of abstraction and monochrome painting) master Park Seo-Bo.
The innovative project also features Shinsegae’s in-house artist characters Paul and Bani, introduced in November 2023.
The art space is open to the public until 24 September on the first floor of the Transportation Center at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1.
The programme forms part of the Korea International Art Fair, inviting travellers and art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Park Seo-Bo’s artistic journey while enjoying the creative charm of Paul and Bani.
Paul+Bani: Art and travel enthusiasts experience a master’s work
Known for their love of travel and art, Paul and Bani continue their creative journey with Park Seo-Bo in their fifth major artistic partnership.
Paul and Bani have worked alongside major fashion brands and popular musicians in the past, including global fashion brand Off-White and singer-songwriter Naul.
The characters now delve into the meditative and abstract world of Park Seo-Bo, offering a blend of playful and reverent interpretations of his famous creations.
This exhibition highlights Paul and Bani’s reinterpretation of Park Seo-Bo’s Ecriture 130119, a work that reflects the essence of Park’s artistic philosophy and personal experiences.
The yellow-hued Ecriture 130119 evokes the smile of Park Seo-Bo’s wife, set against a canvas of oilseed flowers, blending personal affection with abstract design.
Celebrating 70 years of artistic innovation
The exhibition, ‘Park Seo-Bo: 70 Years of Art, A Journey of Self-Discipline and Challenge’, invites visitors to explore the evolving techniques and thematic explorations that have marked Park Seo-Bo’s illustrious career.
Featured works include Park’s popular Ecriture series, alongside pieces from his early career that have never been shown publicly.
Notable highlights include the 1950s Protoplasm series, which embodies the complex emotions of youth during wartime through vibrant, abstract forms. The exhibition also features the Genetic series from the 1960s, which combines traditional Korean colours and geometric abstractions.
These works are hailed as key contributions to Korean contemporary art.
A unique experience for visitors
To enhance the experience, popular Koren actor Park Bo-gum features as the audio docent for the exhibition.
Visitors can enjoy Park Bo-gum’s voice guiding them through the 70-year journey of Park Seo-Bo’s art, providing them with a deeper insight and appreciation of the artist’s legacy.
A representative from Shinsegae Duty Free said: “Following our successful collaborations with Eastern Edition, Naul and Portrait Report, we are honoured to partner with the Seobo Art Foundation to showcase the works of Park Seo-Bo, a luminary in Korean art.
“As the largest duty-free operator at Incheon International Airport, Shinsegae Duty Free is committed to offering unique experiences that connect our customers with the world of art through innovative projects and collaborations.”
This art project reinforces the travel retailer’s commitment to promoting cultural appreciation and enhancing the travel experience for visitors to Incheon International Airport. ✈
