‘Freeze House Seoul’ lands, will Yaksudong become the new art hub?

frieze Seoul, the art frenzy that lights up South Korea every September, will now be with us all year round. this September, global art platform Frieze will open Frieze House Seoul, its second permanent exhibition space after London, in Seoul’s Yaksu-dong neighborhood. it’s the birth of a new art platform where visitors can enjoy Frieze’s sensational curation 24/7, rather than just during the art fair.

프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브

from London to Seoul, what is Frieze House?

frieze House Seoul is a flexible exhibition space modeled after London’s No.9 Cork Street. Instead of a specific gallery being in residence, leading galleries from around the world, selected through Frieze’s international network, will present exhibitions in the form of short-term residencies. with a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions and special projects, the space is expected to breathe new life into Seoul’s artistic landscape. the choice of Yaksudong, a geographical nexus between the major art hubs of Gangnam and Gangbuk, was also a strategic decision with this hub role in mind.

프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브

blending past and present: the transformation of a 1988 house

freeze House Seoul is the result of the renovation of a house built in 1988, a turning point in Korea’s modern history. Designed by architecture studio Samsohyoja, it has been transformed into a contemporary exhibition space while preserving the architectural flavor of the time. The four-story, 210-square-meter space consists of two exhibition rooms, an indoor space for sculptures, and a large garden that can be used for events.

프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브

sANAA’s installation adds a sense of place to the space

a site-specific installation by Japanese architecture studio SANAA in the garden is particularly emblematic of Freeze House Seoul’s identity. composed of aluminum sheets and stainless steel legs, the piece is recessed in the center to create a small pond to catch rainwater. more than just a piece of furniture, the piece explores the boundaries between sculpture and architecture, and signals the direction of the space, where nature and art are in harmony.

프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브

opening in September with Frieze Seoul

frieze House Seoul will officially open in September to coincide with Frieze Seoul 2025. the opening program will include the performance-driven Frieze Live and special projects across the city of Seoul. “We wanted to create a space that reflects the energy and experimental spirit of the city,” says Frieze Seoul Director Patrick Lee, “and we hope it will serve as a platform to open new dialogues between Korean and international contemporary art.”

now, instead of just a few days a year, Seoul is a city where you can experience world-class contemporary art 365 days a year. it will be interesting to see what role Freeze House Seoul will play as a bridge between the Korean art world and the global art scene.

프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브 프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브 프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브 프리즈하우스 서울 프리즈서울 아트 약수동 전시 허브

frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. when and where will Freeze House Seoul open?

A. It will open in September 2025 in Yaksu-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (17, Dongho-ro 15-gil). it will officially begin operations in time for the Frieze Seoul 2025 art fair.

Q. how much is the entrance fee and how can I visit?

A. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and closed on Mondays. details on admission fees and other operating policies will be announced on the official Frieze website in time for the opening.

Q. what exhibitions can I see?

A. There is no specific gallery in residence, but rather a series of “gallery residencies,” where various galleries from around the world, selected by the Frieze, rotate exhibitions by period. this means you can expect to see a new exhibition each time.

📝 리뷰 작성하기

목차