An Artistic Guide for Walkers
An Artistic Guide for Walkers!
“This precious moment of walking and moving”
A stroll through masterpieces outside the gallery
Art while walking
Book Introduction
"Art While Walking" is a book that introduces sculptures, architecture, paintings, and media art from 23 artists that can be encountered in daily life without visiting galleries or museums. Compiled and edited by the author, a current journalist, from a column titled "Art While Walking" published in the Korea Economic Daily's cultural platform "Arte," the book originally focused on works from the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. However, the standalone publication now includes works from regions like Gyeongju, Gangneung, and Busan, offering a more diverse range of artworks. Additionally, it provides supplementary information such as the locations of the artworks and how to access them via public transport, making it easier for readers to engage with art.
The featured artworks include those by contemporary artists who have shaken the currents of modern art, such as Ugo Rondinone, Richard Rogers, Tadao Ando, Lee Ufan, Gu Jeong-a, and Damien Hirst. The author, who has always been curious about what "art" truly means, shares insights about the major works and creative worlds of these masters, along with their lives and artistic journeys. As a cultural reporter, the author has included vivid interviews with artists, adding a sense of immediacy to the narrative.
“Art is always close to our daily lives.” This summarizes the essence of the book in one sentence. Additionally, one might say, “Our daily routines are also art.” This guide introduces "art in everyday life" in an accessible manner, making it an excellent read for those who consider themselves unfamiliar with art. Whether on a commute, at a department store with family, or at a park with friends, the previously unnoticed "artworks on the street" may now beckon to us.
Publisher's Review
Art is distant from me → “Art is in my daily life”
I don’t have time to appreciate art → “You just need the desire to appreciate art”
Art is a story from another world → “Art is ultimately a story about people”
The closest art book to walk, see, and feel
While walking, if you see a sculpture, why not stop for a moment? If you pass by City Hall Station or Gwanghwamun Square, you might encounter the works of world-renowned artists. The 22-meter-high "Hammering Man" in front of the Heungkuk Life Building is a piece by famous American sculptor Jonathan Borofsky, and the four steel plates and stones in front of the Press Center are works by Lee Ufan, a globally recognized artist from Korea. As you pass through Yongsan around sunset, keep an eye on the headquarters of Amorepacific, where Leo Villareal's media art puts on a "Festival of Light" for three hours.
This book also introduces artworks by renowned masters that can be easily encountered in everyday settings, such as department store lobbies, rooftop gardens, parks near subway stations, and even in front of burger shops in the city. You might find yourself surprised, thinking, "Was there such a great piece here?" As you walk the same path, it will begin to look completely different and new. Art is close to our daily lives, and what is needed to enjoy art is not time or money, but an open heart towards the surroundings.
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