“Art in the future, an exquisite harmony between analog and digital in the future”

Sayart.net 

Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com

 

“The direction of my life changed after I visited the Paula Cooper Gallery in New York. This is where I first bought Ellsworth Kelly's work. In other words, I became an art collector for the first time. At that time, Asian female collectors were rare.” Paik Hae Young said.

In 1982, Paik went to the United States dreaming of becoming a pianist. But after her fateful day, she began to walk the path of her gallerist. Because of her relationship at the time, she has maintained a deep family bond with the Paula Cooper Gallery to this day.

She is one of the big hands in Korea that introduces Korean artists to the world market. About 20 years ago, she introduced several promising Korean artists, including Kim Kang-Yong, Kwak Han, and Kang Ik-Joong, to overseas famous art auctions such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

The Paik Hae Young Gallery has been operating in Hannam-dong, Seoul for over 30 years. “In 1977, I converted the house I lived in and is using it as a gallery. There are many nearby Hyatt Hotel, Leeum Museum of Art, and embassies, so the location is good. I can show how art can harmonize in a living space.” She said.

Paik also focuses on domestic exhibitions of world-famous works. “I opened Joseph Beuys’s ‘Ecological Activist’ exhibition last November at Paik Hae Young Gallery Pyeongchang. Recently, I have been contemplating the role of the gallery after the pandemic. I plan to hold exhibitions on ecology, climate and environmental issues in the future.” 

▲ Paik Hae Young, “I am a gallerist”

 

On May 2020, I held the exhibition 'My Artistic Hometown, Parnas' by world-renowned video artist Nam June Paik. The following year, I held the exhibition named ‘Nam June Paik, My Artistic Hometown’ in my hometown of Mokpo.

She is also a famous collector. She has a collection of works by famous artists such as James Turrell, Sherrie Levine, Kenneth Noland, Dan Walsh and Nam June Paik, Hyun Suk Song, Jung Jin Lee, Whanki Kim, and Hyong Keun Yoon.

Paik said, “The future of the Korean art market is bright as the participation of younger generations increases. This September, Fireze and Kiaf will be held in Seoul together. At the same time, KiafPlus will be held, and works of various genres such as NFT art and New media art will be introduced to a wide range of domestic audiences. Korea will emerge as an important market in Asia in the future.”

She said that the exhibition Nam June Paik’s ‘My Artistic Hometown, Parnas 2020’ was the most memorable. “Parnas is a gallery in Germany. Parnas is a historic place where Nam June Paik's first solo exhibition ‘Exhibition of Music - Electronic Television’ was held.” She said.

▲ 'Installation' by James Turrell

 

She said “Collectors need patience and long breath to constantly observe the artist’s life. I also watched the Artists Cho Yong-ik, Nam June Paik, and Park Hyo-jin for a long time,” she said.

She also advised Korean collectors who want to tour abroad. “There are many museums and galleries with traditions and history in foreign countries. Among them are LOUVRE Abu Dhabi Jean Nouvel, Bilbao Guggenheim Museum, Tate Modern Museum, Naosima Benese Island, Niigata Triennale James Turrell Hall.”

“Nam June Paik said that Art is writing the present history (now) from the point of view of the future. I also completely agree with his words. ” She said.

Paik also offered his opinion on the digital art market, which has recently been attracting attention. “Metaverse is the trend of these days. Another art market opening would be welcome. Now is the time for artists and technologists to work together. If they communicate and converge with each other, good results can be achieved.”

“NFT has various controversies, but in some ways, It can become a vital force in the market. However, We should be wary of being too entangled in the capital alone.”

“It is an unreasonable idea that all art will be digitalized. The art of the future should be a world where there is an exquisite harmony between analog and digital.” Said Paik.
She is a true gallerist who can predict the future of the art market.