GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

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   ​Sorol Art Museum’s Inauguration on February 14, 2024

   Sorol Art Museum, Dr. Sukmo Kim as it’s director, is set to inaugurate on February 14th, 2024. As a new public art museum, Sorol Art Museum derives its name from the area's old historical name, “Sorol,” which means “a village with many pine trees” in Korean.

   ​Sorol Art Museum, constructed in Gyo-dong 7 Park in Gangneung, has been developed over a four-year preparation period since 2020. It consists of two floors above the ground and one underground floor, with a total floor area of 3,221.76 square meters.

   ​Art museum designed by Meier Partners

   Sorol Art Museum is designed by the Meier Partners showcasing the architectural design and philosophy of the modern master architect, Richard Meier. Recognized by his distinctively white buildings that generously incorporate natural light, Richard Meier has previously designed world-renowned art museums such as the High Museum of Art in Atlanta (built in 1983), the Museum for Applied Art in Frankfurt (1985), the Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona (1995), and the Getty Center in Los Angeles (1997).

   ​The Meier Partners design team for the Sorol Art Museum includes Dukho Yeon, Partner/ Guillermo Murcia, Principal, Team Leader/ Sharon Oh, Project Architect and Manager/ Hyunggyu Choi, Senior Designer/ Yuhwa Jeong, Designer/ Tetsuhito Abe, Designer/ Jun Kawai, Designer.

   ​Sorol Art Museum aspires to create an open space where the inherent aesthetic sense of art is expressed, and art, nature, and people converge. The vision of Sorol Art Museum, aiming to communicate with the world through art, harmoniously visualizes the interaction between the interior and exterior through Meier Partners' architecture.

- The entrance road is designed to gradually reveal the white museum as the visitors ascend along the path to an elevation of 62 meters above sea level. Surrounding the museum, a pine tree-filled park has been created, providing an opportunity to enjoy art while strolling through nature, offering a moment of relaxation and tranquility away from everyday life.

- An immersive art center where art and architecture are conceived of as one, and Korean artists are in dialogue with global modern and contemporary art. The overall architectural design is inspired by the heritage of Korean Confucianism and its philosophy of art through simplicity of form, materiality, and composition and through its harmonious relationship to nature. The museum building is configured around a central courtyard—a feature inspired by traditional Korean architecture—and is organized into three main volumes; the north wing, a large cantilevered pavilion; the “cube,” an immaculate volume housing a gallery, and offices; and a transparent pavilion housing the main entrance, lobby, and café.

- The circulation spaces are designed to have an extroverted approach, with open views to the park. In contrast, the gallery spaces are more introverted, with controlled natural light, maximizing display space for exhibitions.

- The architecture of Sorol Art Museum serves as a pure backdrop for art. The museum is constructed with minimal white finishes and frames, designed to allow natural light to seamlessly fill the exhibition spaces.

- Elevators have been installed on the vehicle entrance and pedestrian pathways for the convenience of the elderly and people with disabilities, harmonizing seamlessly with the landscape design.

   ​An art museum illuminating the art historical context of Korean art by connecting with global art.

   ​Sorol Art Museum is anticipated to become a platform for aesthetic discourse by connecting Korean art with global art. Dr. Sukmo Kim, the director of Sorol Art Museum, expressed, “The museum, aspiring to communicate with the world through art, hopes to mark a meaningful coordinate in the art museum ecosystem of our country.”

   ​Sorol Art Museum collaborates with various domestic and international art museums and art-related institutions, planning exhibitions based on academic research. Particularly, it introduces the artistic worlds of contemporary art masters, highlighting their historical significance and artistic values. Furthermore, the museum's vision is to discover the aesthetic connections between Korean art and global art, aiming to promote the historical value of Korean art in the global art scene.

   ​Sorol Art Museum is a new cultural landmark in the city of Gangneung. It is expected to contribute to the development of local culture and the tourism industry in Gangneung by providing opportunities for both citizens and tourists to enjoy nature and experience world-class art exhibitions. It adds a touch of sophistication to the cultural and artistic scene in the region.

   ​Sorol Art Museum is planning various programs with the goal of sharing the values of arts and enhancing public accessibility to art. Educational programs reflecting the understanding and characteristics of different target groups, including children, teenagers, and adults, will be implemented. Additionally, the museum plans to collaborate with domestic and international institutions to organize diverse cultural events.​