ID :
47056
Mon, 02/23/2009 - 12:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/47056
The shortlink copeid
New museum director promises to add economic touch to nation's 'cultural face'
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- The incoming chief of South Korea's national art
museum said Monday he will utilize his past experience in management and
engineering to upgrade and promote the country's art industry.
The appointment of Bae Soon-hoon, a former information minister and former Daewoo
CEO, as the new director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has
surprised the art community and raised worries about his lack of expertise in the
given area.
It is the first time for South Korea to name a former CEO to the top position of
MOCA.
"I know this is going to be a hard job and I am also aware of the concerns
surrounding my appointment," Bae told a press gathering Monday. "But as someone
who has been working in the economic field for so long, I know the financial
value art and culture possess."
"While everyone knows Sony is a Japanese company, much less people are aware that
Samsung belongs to Korea," he said. "National identification has an economic
value, and culture is what defines national identification."
South Korea can "catch up" to Japan's economy if it focuses on enhancing its
national status through art and creativity, he said.
Bae, current vice president of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and
Technology, a top college for future scientists and engineers, said he already
has plans to enhance people's access to MOCA and increase funds for the arts
sector.
"The location of the MOCA has always been a source of concern for me," he said.
"I am thinking of developing a 'bikers-only route' to the gallery from Seoul,
which will also go hand in hand with the government's green growth plan."
The national art gallery is located in Gwacheon, about 18 kilometers from Seoul,
and is not easily accessible to people don't drive.
"I plan to entrust exhibitions and collections to art experts and focus on
raising funds and enhancing the business sectors' interest in art," he added.
"Money is something we cannot and must not ignore in art."
Bae added he plans to increase programs supporting young and emerging South
Korean artists.
Born in 1943, Bae graduated from Seoul National University and received a
doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- The incoming chief of South Korea's national art
museum said Monday he will utilize his past experience in management and
engineering to upgrade and promote the country's art industry.
The appointment of Bae Soon-hoon, a former information minister and former Daewoo
CEO, as the new director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has
surprised the art community and raised worries about his lack of expertise in the
given area.
It is the first time for South Korea to name a former CEO to the top position of
MOCA.
"I know this is going to be a hard job and I am also aware of the concerns
surrounding my appointment," Bae told a press gathering Monday. "But as someone
who has been working in the economic field for so long, I know the financial
value art and culture possess."
"While everyone knows Sony is a Japanese company, much less people are aware that
Samsung belongs to Korea," he said. "National identification has an economic
value, and culture is what defines national identification."
South Korea can "catch up" to Japan's economy if it focuses on enhancing its
national status through art and creativity, he said.
Bae, current vice president of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and
Technology, a top college for future scientists and engineers, said he already
has plans to enhance people's access to MOCA and increase funds for the arts
sector.
"The location of the MOCA has always been a source of concern for me," he said.
"I am thinking of developing a 'bikers-only route' to the gallery from Seoul,
which will also go hand in hand with the government's green growth plan."
The national art gallery is located in Gwacheon, about 18 kilometers from Seoul,
and is not easily accessible to people don't drive.
"I plan to entrust exhibitions and collections to art experts and focus on
raising funds and enhancing the business sectors' interest in art," he added.
"Money is something we cannot and must not ignore in art."
Bae added he plans to increase programs supporting young and emerging South
Korean artists.
Born in 1943, Bae graduated from Seoul National University and received a
doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
