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Art shopping in hotel rooms

 

Instead of wandering around galleries and museums, head for a hotel in central Seoul this weekend to see some great Asian art.

More than 60 leading galleries from Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan will gather at Grand Hyatt Seoul for three days starting tomorrow for "Asia Top Gallery Hotel Art Fair 09."

This is the second year for the annual fair. The first took place at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo last year. China will host next year's event in Shanghai.

Without a doubt, the most distinguishing part about AHAF is that it is held in actual hotel rooms.

The concept of having an art fair in plush hotel rooms is already familiar and popular to the public in the United States and European countries, according to the organizers.

"It will give the consumers who want to possess the art works an excellent simulation that will let them imagine the view of his or her own room with the displayed paintings," the organizers said in a statement.

Pictures were laid out on beds and sculptures stood in bathtubs at last year's fair in New Otani Hotel. Similar scenes will be created in 84 rooms on Grand Hyatt's 10th and 11th floor this year.

Each room will be uniquely decorated under different themes presented by the participating galleries, artists, and auctions, including Korea's two biggest - Seoul Auction and K-Auction.

Among the artists, Han Jemma, who is also an author and Korea's first art-related MC, will display her doll series with handpicked everyday items like lights, carpets and cushions in "Jemma's Room."

Some rooms will be featuring special exhibitions.

"AHAF Star Exhibition" will showcase works by two Korean celebrities - singer/artist Naul and actor/photographer Zio Mingki. As much as they have captured the public through the small screen, they are also quite well-known artists who have hosted many exhibitions.

Visitors will also find a special "Lee U-Fan exhibition" which was organized with the help from Shimoda Kenzi, a Japanese who has collected the artist's works for over 30 years. About 30 representative works by Lee will be on display.

The fair runs from Aug. 21-23 at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Hannam-dong, central Seoul.

For more information, visit www.hotelartfair.co.kr or call (02) 741-6320.

(claire@heraldm.com)

By Park Min-young