Ilmin Museum of Art, Contemporary art museum in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Ilmin Museum of Art occupies the former Dong-a Ilbo newspaper building, a five-story brown stone structure completed in 1926 and the oldest press building in Korea. Special exhibitions fill the first and second floors, the third floor shows the Ilmin Collection of Goryeo and Joseon porcelains, paintings and calligraphy, and the fourth floor holds the documentary archive.
The Ilmin Cultural Foundation was founded in 1994 to honor Kim Sang-man, former president of The Dong-A Ilbo. In December 1996 the museum opened as Ilmin Art Hall in the newspaper's former 1926 headquarters, designed by Japanese architect Nakamura Makoto. After a year-long renovation it reopened in February 2002, and in 2001 the building was designated Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 131.
The museum's name comes from Kim Sang-man's art name "Ilmin" (일민; 一民), meaning "one people". The Ilmin Cultural Foundation, set up in 1994 in his memory, also awards the Ilmin Art Award, whose recipients include conductor Myung-Whun Chung, film director Im Kwon-taek and musical director Yoon Hojin. The museum publishes Ilmin Visual Culture on visual art theory.
The venue sits near Gwanghwamun Station on Sejongno street and is accessible by public transportation. An American-style café is available inside for resting between exhibition galleries.
The space houses South Korea's only documentary archive, showing documentary films and video art alongside traditional works. This collection makes it an unusual place for those exploring film-based art forms.
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