MCM and Koenig Galerie have co-operated for several years, most recently with Koenig Tokio, a gallery space that was located in MCM’s flagship store in Tokyo until the end of 2020. The collaboration continues with Koenig Seoul, opening a new chapter this spring in the MCM Haus flagship store in Seoul’s trendy Gangnam neighbourhood.
Koenig Seoul will occupy the building’s fifth floor as well as a spacious rooftop terrace that will be transformed into a sculpture garden. (Several years ago, MJ Rabbit was lucky enough to enjoy a concert by K-pop star Rain on this very terrace, which boasts expansive views of the vibrant city.)
Soo Choi, a Seoul-based gallerist with 15 years of experience in the international art market, will serve as managing director.
Instagram collage: Katharina Grosse, Erwin Wurm, Anselm Reyle, Claudia Comte, Monica Bonvicini, Mona Ardeleanu, Conny Maier, Friedrich Kunath, Alicja Kwade
Koenig has been involved in Korea's art scene for years as a participant of the Art Busan and KIAF art fairs. The new space will provide Koenig with a platform to further strengthen its engagement with the region’s cultural institutions, collectors and public audiences.
Gallery owners Lena and Johann Koenig said: “Our partnership with MCM is a fundamental step to help us build the perfect bridge between Germany and Korea. Koenig and MCM are both rooted in their German origin, but we committed ourselves to actively establish our brands out in the world. Korea has a strong position in the art market, so we are excited to be presenting our programme to the Korean audience.”
Dirk Schoenberger, Global Creative Officer at MCM, voiced his delight at the opening. “I am very happy that with the opening of the Koenig Galerie in our Seoul flagship store, we continue a successful collaboration between MCM and Johann and Lena Koenig. Beyond my strong personal interest in art, this confirms MCM as a collaborative brand that seeks to partner with other artistic voices and starting conversations between art and fashion. MCM Haus in Seoul will be increasingly a cultural, collaborative space."
Koenig Seoul will open with a group exhibition featuring exciting and emotion-driven works by Katharina Grosse, Norbert Bisky, Friedrich Kunath, Alicja Kwade, Anselm Reyle, Helen Marten and Sarah Morris.
Subsequently, Koenig Seoul will present exhibitions with internationally established artists such as Jorinde Voigt, Jeppe Hein, Camille Henrot and Claudia Comte as well as up-and-coming talents such as Trey Abdella and Conny Maier.
Koenig Seoul’s inaugural exhibition runs from April 3 to May 2, 2021 at MCM Haus, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Koenig Galerie is based in Berlin where it resides in spacious brutalist St Agnes church built in the 1960s. Founded in 2002, the gallery represents more than 40 emerging and established artists. The contemporary artworks focus on interdisciplinary and concept-oriented art by a younger generation and many female artists. Artists from the gallery’s roster regularly show their work in renowned institutions worldwide and participate at prestigious group exhibitions, such as the Documenta or the Venice Biennale.
Koenig Seoul is the third branch of Koenig Galerie, following the opening of Koenig London in the UK capital’s Marylebone district in 2017. For details, see www.koeniggalerie.com.
MCM is expanding apace and is now distributed online and in 650 stores worldwide, including Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and the Middle East. See www.mcmworldwide.com.
