The Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 presents a significant international exhibition in partnership with the Seoul Museum of Art, spotlighting over six decades of Korean creative expression. Titled Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits – Contemporary Art from Korea, 1960s to Today, this exhibition presents an exclusive look at Korea’s influential art movement, from its early experiments to today’s digital installations.
The exhibition runs from 16 May to 30 June 2025 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, under the honorary founding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan.
A Landmark Moment for Art in the GCC
Organized by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Seoul Museum of Art, this is the first major Korean contemporary art exhibition in the Gulf region. It also marks the beginning of a three-year cultural partnership between the two institutions, building new connections between the UAE and South Korea.
The exhibition features 48 works by 29 Korean artists, co-curated by Kyung-hwan Yeo from the Seoul Museum of Art and independent curator Maya El Khalil. It brings together well-known names such as Nam June Paik, Park Hyunki, Lee Bul, Haegue Yang, Ayoung Kim, and Moka Lee, tracing the evolution of Korean artistic identity.
Exploring Medium, Memory, and Technology
The title is inspired by Nam June Paik’s phrase “We Are in Open Circuits,” a reference to media as a form of ongoing exchange and communication. The exhibition explores how Korean artists have used video, performance, photography, and digital tools to respond to fast-changing social and technological realities.
From early black-and-white video work to interactive digital environments, the show reveals how artists shaped their identities and responded to cultural shifts through art. Each piece reflects a different phase in the journey of Korean contemporary practice, offering a wide lens on innovation and expression.
The Seoul Museum of Art curators aim to help audiences understand how artists explore presence, absence, sensory perception, and digital culture in a world of constant change.
Supporting Cultural Dialogue Between Nations
Alongside the exhibition, ‘Layered Dialogues’, a new publication with writing by UAE-based contributors, builds on the shared exchange of ideas. Spatial design by Formafantasma brings a thoughtful visual language to the exhibition, using architectural elements that connect with the concept of communication across time and space.
The show is part of a larger initiative by ADMAF and the Seoul Museum of Art to promote long-term collaboration. Visitors can also look forward to a public program including panel talks, artist film screenings, and live performances. Details will be shared online throughout the event’s duration.
Looking Ahead to Seoul
Following its debut in Abu Dhabi, a second co-curated exhibition titled ‘Intense Proximities’ will open at the Seoul Museum of Art in December 2025. That show will feature three generations of UAE-based artists and offer Korean audiences insight into the UAE’s creative community.
This ongoing partnership reflects a shared commitment to cultural understanding and mutual support for the arts. Both institutions see art as a tool for building meaningful dialogue between countries.
Visit the Exhibition
‘Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits’ runs from 16 May to 30 June 2025, daily from 10am to 8pm at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. Presented by ADMAF in partnership with the Seoul Museum of Art, this exhibition is a key cultural event for anyone interested in the evolution of global contemporary art.
Stay updated on the full programme by visiting the Abu Dhabi Festival website and exploring how the Seoul Museum of Art continues to support international collaboration and creative exchange.
More museums
If museums is your thing and you want to explore more museums in the GCC don’t miss out on Asaan Diriyah, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, and read more about it here.
