Korean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale

 The Republic of Korea’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale is the 26th National Pavilion in Giardini. The creation of the pavilion in 1996 signalled the start of Korean art’s emergence onto the international art scene. The single-storey pavilion with a floor area of 242.6 square metres has three exhibition halls; the Transparent Hall, Historical Hall, and Cylinder Hall. The Korean pavilion was in the spotlight from the first year of its opening as artist Jheon Soo-Cheon received an honourable mention at the 46th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 1995, followed by two consecutive special mentions for artists Ik-Joong Kang at the 47th International Art Exhibition in 1997 and Lee Bul at the 48th Exhibition in 1999. Dedicated and persistent efforts to raise the profile of Korean art and architecture known on the international scene came to fruition when the Korean Pavilion won the prestigious Golden Lion award for best national participation at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition in 2014.

 Arts Council Korea (ARKO), the commissioner of the Korean pavilion, has been responsible for the operation of the pavilion since its opening. ARKO, also known as Arts Council Korea, is an organisation dedicated to supporting Korean arts and culture nationally and internationally. It was established with the aim of making the arts accessible to everyone, based on the belief that art has the power to transform lives. It promotes and subsidises projects and activities that promote culture and the arts. ARKO, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, advocates for the creation and enjoyment of all forms of art.