Hongdae Free Market, an outdoor marketplace dedicated to showcasing artworks and creative design items made by local artisans and artists, marks its tenth year on June 4. Initiated in 2002 as part of cultural events celebrating the Korea-Japan World Cup, this alternative art market full of free spirits and hidden charms has become one of the most frequented cultural events in the Hongik University district.
The “Free Market” serves as a live platform of communication between artists and citizens, featuring new art and whimsical, hard-to-find hand-made items by the area’s most talented artists and designers, rather than the secondhand items of a typical flea market.
The “Living and Art Creative Center,” which has run the weekly market for the last decade, is hosting a number of events in celebration. An exhibition currently taking place at the Cultural Complex called “Pain (bread),” pays tribute to the market. An archive of documents, photographs, recordings and videos of the history of the Free Market is on view to commemorate the event, which helped many young artists to launch their careers.
Saturday afternoon is a step back in time with “Afternoon Stage,” a special series of open-air concerts from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with different indie bands and singers, including “Portable Lollipop.” On the same day, Club “Pain” will open at 7 p.m.
The open air art market is open every Saturday afternoon from March to November at the playground in front of Hongik University. Advance registration is mandatory for vendors. For more information, please visit the official website at: www.freemarket.or.kr (Korean only).
Link: www.korea.net