This Is (Not) Conceptual Art at MMCA Seoul: Visitor Guide

At MMCA Seoul, the major thematic exhibition This Is (Not) Conceptual Art revisits the intellectual turning points of contemporary Korean art from the 1970s through the 1990s. Moving beyond the formal visual properties of painting and sculpture, the exhibition traces the intense paths of artists who expanded the territory of art into language, philosophical concepts, and contemporaneous sociopolitical realities.

Spanning Exhibition Halls 2, 3, and 4 at the Seoul branch, the presentation brings together over 140 works—including installations, moving images, photography, drawings, and performance documentation—alongside extensive archival materials. Here is an overview of the exhibition’s key themes, schedule, and essential visitor details.

This Is (Not) Conceptual Art Visitor Information

• Exhibition Title: This Is (Not) Conceptual Art (이것은 개념미술이 (아니)다)
• Exhibition Period: June 19, 2026 – October 11, 2026
• Venue: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Exhibition Halls 2, 3, and 4 (30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
• Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wednesday, Saturday 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last admission 1 hour before closing)
• Closed Days: January 1, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), and Chuseok Day
• Admission: 5,000 KRW (Integrated MMCA Seoul gallery ticket; free admission during Wednesday and Saturday evening openings)

Intellectual Trajectories of Korean Conceptualism

Rather than resting on form-driven modernist aesthetics, this curated presentation investigates the conceptual lineage of Korean art that positioned contemplation, action, and language as the fundamental core of artistic creation. It encompasses the emergence of experimental art centered on the body and live action during the 1970s, as well as the critical social critiques and everyday linguistic explorations that expanded through the 1980s and 1990s.

The exhibition brings together 28 influential artists who shaped the formation and development of Korean conceptualism. Alongside prominent pioneers such as Lee Kun-yong, Sung Neungkyung, Ahn Kyuchul, Bahc Yiso, and Kim Beom, visitors can discover pivotal works by Kong Sunghun, Kwak Duckjun, Kim Kulim, Sora Kim, Kim Soun-Gui, Kim Yongmin, Kim Yong-Ik, Kim Yongchul, Kim Cha-sup, Gimhongsok, Park Hyunki, Oh Inhwan, Woo Soon-ok, Yoon Dong-chun, Yoon Jin-sup, Lee Kyo-jun, Lee Seung-taek, Chung Seoyoung, Cho Kyung-sook, Ju Jae-hwan, Choi Byung-so, Cody Choi, and Hong Myung-seop.

Three Key Highlights Not to Miss

• Four Thematic Sub-Sections: The gallery routing divides into four distinct conceptual branches: ‘Language, Logic, Action’, ‘Objects and Language’, ‘Mapping and Measurement’, and ‘Manipulators of Signs’. Moving through each section allows visitors to examine how artists constructed rules and posed questions to dismantle rigid conventions.
• Over 140 Works Across Diverse Media: Beyond painting, the galleries display large-scale installations, video projections, photographs documenting historic performances, and rare ephemera and publications.
• Interrogating Reality and the Function of Art: Throughout the presentation, emphasis rests not on polished formal beauty, but on what art can accomplish and how artistic thought responded to the sociopolitical turbulence of the late twentieth century.

Visitors interested in exploring other periods of modern Korean art or contemporary digital media will also enjoy reading about Lee Daiwon: There Is Nothing to Make You Sad and Kim Heecheon: Moles.

Essential Visitor Tips Before Arriving

Located on Samcheong-ro opposite Gyeongbokgung Palace, MMCA Seoul is conveniently accessible via public transit. Given the expansive scale across three main exhibition halls and the substantial volume of video works and reading materials, planning an unhurried visit is recommended.

On Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the museum extends its hours until 9:00 PM and offers free admission, making it ideal for evening gallery visits. Final entry is permitted until 8:00 PM, one hour before closing. The museum is closed on January 1, Seollal, and Chuseok Day.

Official Information and Exhibition Links

To check schedules, guided tour dates, and related educational programs, visit the official MMCA website.