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Park Yang-woo returns to Gwangju Biennale Foundation as President once again
“Everyone here is a part of Gwangju Biennale. I plan to improve workplace culture and conditions by bringing people together and resolving challenges lying ahead.”
On August 26, a brief inauguration ceremony was held at Jemunheon* to mark the commencement of a new leadership by President Park Yang-woo.
“It seems like only yesterday when I came to Gwangju six and a half years ago with a sense of duty. Gwangju is like home to me,” he remarked.
While addressing the room, President Park stated that biennales around the world have encountered never-before-seen challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. They find themselves at a juncture where they must reclaim the intrinsic vision and values of biennales. He added, “having witnessed the crisis of biennales, the Gwangju Biennale intends to become a lever for the advancement of world art history and furthermore its cultural history, and a unique global brand which sets itself apart from others.”
He particularly emphasized his immediate plan to transform the Foundation into a working organization, saying, “the Biennale needs to study every detail of the challenges it is currently facing, restructure the organization, and allocate human resources where necessary. This transformation will lead to an efficient and effective organization and vibrant employees.”
Moreover, to organize the best possible quality Biennale, he noted the importance of appointing an outstanding artistic director befitting of the Biennale’s reputation to tackle issues relevant to today’s society, as well as deciding an optimal schedule, including the opening date, for the next edition. According to President Park, the decision will be made after consulting with relevant experts.
“The Gwangju Biennale is an international event, but its identity is closely connected to the Gwangju in an inseparable manner,” said President Park. He further elaborated that “Gwangju has to be the everlasting subject matter, topic, and vision of the event. Taking firm root in the city, we will present an international art event which encompasses the global community and meets the high standards that the Gwangju Biennale is known for.”
The last part of his speech was about the expansion of the role of the Biennale. He stressed the need to design exhibitions that connect Gwangju and the central areas, joined by local artists, that take the advantage of the Biennale’s unique characteristics, as well as the need to utilize the archive, education programs, and others.
He commented: “It has always been the Gwangju Biennale Foundation’s priority to host an exceptional Biennale, and to run Gwangju Folly successfully. It is also my belief the Biennale must expand into more dynamic roles, […] thus I plan to invest much effort in securing additional funds and extensive partnerships with relevant organizations and groups.”
Before stepping down from the podium, he displayed his deep affection for the Biennale by saying, “the Gwangju Biennale is a source of pride for Gwangju citizens and a key enabler for the development of arts and cultures of the city and of the nation; and I am ready to give my all for the Biennale.”
Park Yang-woo, Ph. D. served as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, professor of art management and executive vice president at Chung-Ang University, and President of Korean Association of Arts Management.
* The inauguration ceremony was held in a conference room at Jemunheon, the Foundation’s office building.