■ Introduction

The fifth Korea International Art Fair (KIAF) will be held at COEX Pacific Hall in Seoul, Korea from May 26 to 30, 2006. Since 2002, the KIAF has started to take a central role in the establishment of the Northeast Asian art market. Under the auspices of Galleries Association of Korea, SBS, and COEX, 150 galleries from 13 nations, including Jousse Entreprise and Galerie Laurent Godin from France, Die Galerie and Gallery Michael Schultz from Germany, Leo Koenig from the United States and Galeria Pelaires from Spain, will participate in this event.

The KIAF is making great strides in the world market. As record sales reached an all time high last year, the KIAF has attracted a considerable number of European galleries especially from France and Germany. Charles Rump, a reporter from Die Welt (Germany), commented after having observed KIAF2005 that Korean art is a growing and potentially lucrative market. Also, Christian Fricke, a reporter from Handelsblad (Germany), wrote that Korea has for the first time formed an international group of contemporary art collectors.

Apart from the main exhibitions of 150 participating galleries, KIAF2006 will feature a special Paris-Seoul exhibition and forum to celebrate the 120th year Amity between Korea and France. This event will present at a larger scale a diverse range of around 3,000 artworks from renowned Korean as well as foreign artists such as Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Kusama Yayoi, Joan Miro, Fang Lijun, Wang Du, Nam June Paik, Hwan Ki Kim, Chang Yeul Kim, Kwang Young Chun, U Fan Lee from various participating countries.

The commissioners from France and Korea, Jean-Louis Poitevin and Airyung Kim, have worked in collaboration to organize the Paris-Seoul exhibition. The exhibition will show select artworks from rising French and Korean artists. The KIAF2006 Forum will be a discussion ground where reporters from Le Monde and Journal des Arts, the director from Art Paris, art critics, gallery representatives, and other art-related people can exchange ideas and information.

In addition to the main event, there will be various programs and activities. A reception for the 100th anniversary of Ahn Eak Tai's birth will be held under the sponsorship of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mallorca. Also, an exhibition tour called Lunch@KIAF, which will provide a boxed lunch and tour guide, will be held for professionals working near the COEX area. There will also be a gallery tour of neighboring galleries in Seoul for collectors and gallery staff.

■ Outline

• Date : May 26-30, 2006
• Venue : Pacific Hall, COEX, Seoul
  
  
• Press/VIP Preview : May 25, 3:00pm
• Vernissage : May 25, 5:00pm
  
• Reception : May 25, 6:00pm
  
  
• Auspices : Galleries Association of Korea, SBS, COEX
• Supervisor : KIAF Operation Committee
  
  
• Sponsors : Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  Sponsors : Arts Council Korea, Seoul Foundation Arts & Culture, Korean Fine Arts Association
  Sponsors : French Embassy Seoul, Embassy of Spain in Seoul, German Embassy Seoul
  Sponsors : France Culture Center
  
  
• Supporters: Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, Hyundai Securities
  Supporters: Samsung Life Insurance, Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.
  
  
  
  

■ KIAF2006 Forum

Current Trend and issues in French Contemporary Art

The KIAF2006 Forum will present 6 renowned French art celebrities including the director from Art Paris, which is a new-born art fair an art journalist gallery executives and art critics who will share information on the current trend and issues in French contemporary art.

• Topic: Current Trend and Issues of French Contemporary Art
• Date: May 26, 2006 at 3:00p
• Venue: VIP Lounge, Pacific Hall, COEX
  
  
• Moderator: Airyung Kim, commissioner of Paris-Seoul
• Speakers: - Henri Jobbe-Duval, director of Art Paris
  Speakers: - Berenice Bailly, reporter of Le Monde
  Speakers: - Roxana Azimi, reporter of Journal des Arts
  Speakers: - Philippe Piguet, critic
  Speakers: - Jean Brolly, representative of French galleries
  Speakers: - Jean Louis Poitevin, commissioner of Paris-Seoul

KIAF2006 Participating Countries