Vibe Era: Contemporary Abstraction at Ilmin Museum of Art

In an age where generative technologies produce images at breakneck speed, what does it mean to physically draw and create forms today? The exhibition Vibe Era, held at the Ilmin Museum of Art on Sejong-daero in Jongno-gu, Seoul, addresses this compelling question by reconsidering the meaning and vitality of contemporary abstraction.

Featuring four participating artists—Park Yerim, Park Junghae, Park Hyunjung, and Han Jihyoung—the exhibition illuminates how abstract forms emerge, shift, and transform. Rather than focusing solely on finished surfaces, the presentation directs attention toward the dynamic interactions and physical processes that bring each work into being.

Vibe Era Visitor Information

• Exhibition Title: Vibe Era
• Exhibition Period: August 26, 2026 – October 25, 2026
• Venue: Ilmin Museum of Art, Exhibition Halls 2 & 3 and Project Room (152 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
• Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Closed: Mondays and Chuseok Day (September 25, 2026)
• Admission: General 9,000 KRW; Students (age 24 and under with student ID) 7,000 KRW
• Participating Artists: Park Yerim, Park Junghae, Park Hyunjung, Han Jihyoung

How Forms Emerge and Transform

Curated by lead curator Yoon Yulli and curator Baek Jisu, the exhibition investigates contemporary abstraction against the backdrop of rapid algorithmic image production. Rather than treating abstraction as decorative canvas patterns or autonomous purism divorced from reality, this curatorial project interrogates the fundamental roots of image making itself.

Each of the four artists approaches materials and implements through a distinct physical methodology. As body, tools, and personal memory interact, abstract configurations gradually materialize into concrete presence. Moving through the galleries, visitors can trace the artists’ underlying deliberations and deliberate choices, experiencing the works not merely as static pictures but as evolving trajectories of creative labor.

Three Key Points for Experiencing the Exhibition

First, imagine the physical traces of process rather than evaluating only the completed object. Throughout the galleries, visitors encounter tactile clues that reveal how each piece was made: drawing and erasing, folding and unfolding, collecting and grinding. Following the chronological accumulation of physical work offers a deeper appreciation of the resulting forms.

Second, observe the fertile fissures that appear where raw materials meet memory. When disparate physical substances interact, or when personal recollection is translated into sculptural and pictorial language, intentional variances and unintended deviations become vital expressive components. These unexpected misalignments give rise to compelling, evocative configurations.

Third, reflect on the delicate contrast between an immediate “vibe” and accumulated “form.” While a vibe conveys an instantaneous mood or instinctive feeling, artistic form carries the layered density of sustained time and effort. Comparing this immediate impression against the weight of time embedded in each canvas provides an insightful lens for engaging with the exhibition.

Essential Tips Before Your Visit

Please note that while some search portals list the opening date as August 25, the museum’s official exhibition schedule runs from August 26 through October 25, 2026. Be sure to confirm your dates before setting out.

To gain a deeper perspective on the curatorial concept and individual artworks, consider attending the guided docent program held every Sunday at 3:00 PM. The tour lasts approximately 40 minutes and is available on site without separate advance reservations.

For more exhibition coverage published on this site, explore our guides to Bonjour, Jean-Jacques Sempé: The World in Lines and Still, Now, and Always.

References and Official Sources

For additional details and updates on the exhibition, visit the official Ilmin Museum of Art website.