Art shows this week

Established by multimillionaire gallerist Kim Chang-il, Arario Gallery first opened its doors in Cheonan in 2012 before moving to its current place in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul. Making The ARTnews "200 Top Collectors" list for 7 years now, the internationally respected gallery boasts three-stories of exhibition space. At times, the basement and the upper levels are separated to showcase two exhibitions with unrelated curatorial goals. Although the gallery’s main interest lies in contemporary art, it branches off to support domestic as well as international artists in their early to mid-careers.

On the last Wed of the month, major art galleries, museums, and national palaces are free. Well, almost. Tickets for DDP and Hangaram Art Museum are half price if you visit after 6pm. Movies, concerts, musicals, street performances, and even sport games are all included in the benefits of "Culture Day." Here are some museums that sport Culture Day, as well as free exhibitions and events. 

If there is one thing that these art exhibitions have in common, it is that they all present a gateway into a fantastical world, given its scale and new media magic. Fashion designer Henrik Vibskov transforms Daelim Museum into a runway tailored for the slim and the ordinary, and the world of Vivian Maier is revealed at Sungkok Museum in black and white (and you may feel a little self-conscious looking at the photographs, as her rolls of films were left undeveloped, even after her death). Look below to see Time Out's curation. 

A three-story brick building stands inconspicuously at the entrance to Wonseo-dong. Were it not for a banner hanging from the heavy black door, it would be quite difficult to tell that it was an art gallery at all. Featuring emerging artists and preparing exhibitions one year in advance, they date back to 2000 when they initially opened in Insadong. The basement level and the first two floors make up an exhibition space that showcases experimental art while the third floor is a workshop for students and artists. A little out of the way, even for an exceptionally diligent tourist, art lovers seek out the Insa Art Space for themes unexplored elsewhere.