In celebration of its inaugural Gucci Cultural Month, Italian fashion house Gucci has unveiled Dual Narratives: Honoring the Visionaries, a photo exhibition spotlighting South Korean cultural icons. Opened Tuesday at Foundry Seoul, located in Gucci Gaok—Gucci’s second flagship in Hannam-dong—the exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of some of Korea’s most influential artists, including filmmaker Park Chan-wook, pianist Cho Seong-jin, conceptual artist Kim Soo-ja, and contemporary dancer Ahn Eun-me. Renowned photographer Kim Yong-ho leads the project, employing his signature diptych technique to reveal new dimensions of these cultural figures.

“This was a sincere offer from Gucci, one that felt both timely and genuine,” said Kim during a preopening tour of the exhibition. As interest in Korean culture grows globally, Kim believes it is essential to capture new perspectives on these artists who embody the essence of Korean creativity.

Kim’s diptych approach—pairing a portrait of each artist with an object that resonates with their identity—provides a nuanced, multifaceted portrayal. “Two photos often capture more than one, particularly with historic figures who deserve a deeper exploration,” Kim explained. The result is a collection that balances art with intimate insight, portraying each figure as a “truth seeker” with a unique serenity.

For instance, Kim’s An Indulgent Eye series juxtaposes director Park Chan-wook’s monochrome portraits with plum blossoms. “Even in darkness, plum blossoms shine,” Kim said, comparing the flower’s resilience to Park’s pursuit of self-reflection and aestheticism. In Art Nomad, a 15-photo collection, Kim captures the toll of Cho Seong-jin’s global tours through scenes of the pianist navigating everyday spaces, offering a glimpse into the life of a musician whose career took flight after winning the prestigious Chopin Competition in 2015.

The exhibition’s opening saw appearances from several stars, including Cho himself and Squid Game actor Lee Jung-jae, Gucci’s global brand ambassador. The event forms part of Gucci’s larger Cultural Month campaign, aimed at showcasing Korean artistry and creativity.

Dual Narratives: Honoring the Visionaries runs through Tuesday and is free to the public. Reservations are available on Gucci’s website and Naver. Gucci hinted that additional events are planned as part of the month-long celebration, though details are yet to be announced.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com