Frieze has unveiled its most ambitious program yet for the third edition of Frieze Seoul, scheduled for September 4–7, 2024. This year's lineup includes live performances, film screenings, and discussions, with events taking place throughout the Korean capital. Director Pat Lee expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “After the enthusiastic celebration of the city’s creative communities at the first two editions of Frieze Seoul, and with concurrent biennials in Busan and Gwangju this year, we are excited for what September has in store. The expansive programming at Frieze Seoul is set to highlight the vibrancy and momentum of Korea’s contemporary art scene.”

Frieze LIVE Performance

The Frieze LIVE segment will feature performances that explore the interplay of movement, sound, and visual elements, transforming the human body into a medium of expression. Artists participating include Cha Yeonså, Jesse Chun, Hong Ji Young, Jang Sumi, and Kim Wonyoung & Project YYIN (Rha Sinae, Choi Kisub). This initiative is presented in partnership with DYAD, a private members’ club set to launch in Cheongdam in 2025.

EMAP x Frieze Film 2024

Titled “All that Weaves the Universe: Of Quantum Entanglements,” Frieze Film 2024 will showcase works from over 35 international artists, exploring the connections between humans and non-humans. Featured artists include Gabriel Abrantes, Stephanie Comilang, Vitória Cribb, Léuli Eshraghi, Ayoung Kim, Ana Mendieta, Alison Nguyen, Simon Speiser, Yuyan Wang, Clemens von Wedemeyer and Zhang Xu Zhan. Curated by Joowon Park and Valentine Umansky, this segment will take place in the historic gardens of Ewha Womans University from September 2–6, in collaboration with the outdoor media arts festival EMAP (Ewha Media Art Presentation). Audiences can also participate remotely via frieze.com.

Frieze Talks in Association with Kiaf SEOUL and KAMS

Scheduled for September 5 to 7 at COEX’s Studio 159, this annual series, in collaboration with Kiaf SEOUL and KAMS, will tackle pressing issues in the current art world. Discussions will cover themes such as the impact of biennials, feminism in Asian art, and the evolving role of curators. Notable speakers include Myung Ji Bae (Curator, MMCA), Josh Baer (CEO, Baerfaxt), Diana Campbell (Artistic Director, Samdani Art Foundation; Chief Curator, Dhaka Art Summit), Cho Jieun of ikkibawiKrrr (artist), Kang Seung Lee (artist), Clara M Kim (Chief Curator MOCA), Kim Hong-hee (Chairperson, Nam June Paik Cultural Foundation), Vera Mey and Philippe Pirotte (Co-artistic Directors, Busan Biennale 2024), Zeynep Öz (Curator, Sharjah Biennial 16), Pablo José Ramírez (Curator, Hammer Museum), Patrick Sun (Founder, Sunpride Foundation), Victoria Sung (Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive), Lumi Tan (curator), and Koki Tanaka (artist).

In celebration of Seoul’s vibrant art scene, Frieze is partnering for the second year with ARKO to support initiatives by 14 non-profit spaces on September 5, creating an international networking platform for artists, curators, and organizers. With Korea’s two biennials coinciding with Frieze Seoul 2024, showcased spaces will include non-profits from Gwangju and Busan.

Frieze Seoul is supported by Headline Partner LG OLED, merging the realms of art and technology, and Global Lead Partner Deutsche Bank, which has maintained a commitment to artistic excellence for over two decades.

Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com