From new art destinations and bookstores to hard-to-find bars and fashionable cafés, Patrick Lee, director of Frieze Seoul, shares his favourite haunts in the city
As the second edition of Frieze Seoul kicks off the art fairs in Seoul this autumn, collectors, gallerists and visitors are descending upon South Korea’s capital to discover all its cultural offerings. The fair’s director, Patrick Lee, calls Seoul home, and has over 15 years of experience in the art world; he previously served as the executive director of Seoul-based galleries such as Gallery Hyundai and One and J Gallery. Lee recommends his favourite places to visit in the city—from a hole-in-a-wall bar to all the cafes and bookstores frequented by the creative crowd when they need a break from the fair.
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What are you looking forward to the most at this year’s edition of Frieze Seoul?
A highlight of this year’s programme will be Frieze Film, co-curated by Serena Sungah Choo and Sungwoo Kim, comprising a programme of works by 14 artists shown at various non-profit and independent art spaces through the city. I’m also looking forward to seeing works by Hannah Woo, the recipient of the inaugural Frieze Seoul Artist Award, who will present a major new commission at the fair.
What are your favourite art spaces in the city?
Right now, some of the most interesting work by emerging artists can be found at the city’s independent and non-profit spaces, so I always try to hit the exhibitions at N/A, Doosan Gallery, Amada Art Space, Sarubia, and Primary Practice. As for museums, I visit Leeum [Museum of Art] regularly, if even just for an hour, to see its incredible permanent collection, and [private museum] Art Sonje too for its strong curatorial focus. The MMCA [National Museum of Contemporary Art] is another that continues to programme engaging, thought-provoking exhibitions which I make sure to visit regularly.