A modern building that has stood for 100 years in Incheon's old downtown is being reborn as a hands-on exhibition hall for citizens. Incheon Metropolitan City Development Corporation (iH) will create a permanent exhibition hall on the first floor of 'Baengnyeon Ieum,' its second modern architectural cultural asset, and open it free of charge on the 16th.
The exhibition hall is distinguished by its design as a participatory experience space for citizens, rather than a viewing-focused venue. It features a keyring and puzzle experience zone modeled on the exterior of modern architecture, and a scroll-shaped photo zone that takes advantage of the high ceilings. The aim is to let visitors create and enjoy firsthand, experiencing the value of modern architecture.
The conversion to a permanent space stemmed from the favorable response to a special exhibition by young artists. The special exhibition "Red Stone, Glass Sea," featuring seven young Incheon artists including Koo Eun-jung, Noh Chan-gyun, Park Joo-yeon, Won Na-rae, Lee Ryeo-jin, Heo Young-ji and Hee-bak, was held from March to May this year and drew attention. iH expanded it into a permanent space rather than leaving it as a one-time event.
'Baengnyeon Ieum,' used as the exhibition venue, is a building more than 100 years old, built before 1908. It has a unique style combining a Western-style exterior with a Chinese-style house structure. iH operates the building as a symbolic space for its cultural regeneration project, which it is pursuing alongside the first asset 'Ieum 1977' and the third asset 'Ieum 1978.'
The second floor is used as a space for local programs such as lectures, forums and seminars. The 'i-RISE Open Campus,' in which six universities in the Incheon region including Inha University participate, is currently being operated there.
"Modern architectural cultural assets are establishing themselves as hubs where citizens experience history and culture and communicate with local artists, beyond simply being preservation spaces," an iH official said. "We will contribute to revitalizing old downtown culture through various exhibitions and programs."
