An Evening at Art Center Nabi
I would like to thank Art Center Nabi for hosting an evening that stayed with me long after it ended. The 7th Encounter titled “Gol, Alleys and Cities”, took place on the rooftop of the SK Group headquarters in Jongno. From the 36th floor, nearly 200 people gathered to look at Seoul from a different angle. The openness of the discussion and the attention from the audience shaped the night. I am grateful to curator Jaewon Choi and Yoonseo Kim for their support and careful preparation, which allowed the event to unfold with ease.
Gol, Alleys and Cities
The 7th Encounter brought together two perspectives. I shared my work as a filmmaker and photographer, while Robert J. Fouser, a professor at Seoul National University, offered his view on language, cities, and culture. The setting played an important role. Standing above the city, we looked east, west, north, and south while talking about how Seoul’s smaller spaces shape everyday life. The rooftop location allowed the city itself to become part of the conversation.
Video Works and Urban Observation
During the evening, I screened several video works that focus on Seoul’s backstreets, alleys, and transitional spaces. These images formed a visual counterpart to the discussion and helped ground the conversation in observation rather than theory. Before my presentation, Professor Fouser spoke about the city through storytelling and language. His approach set the tone and opened the space for exchange.
About the Encounter Series
The Encounter series began in December 2013 as a monthly program at Art Center Nabi. Each edition invites artists and thinkers who work across disciplines and cultures, often bridging perspectives from East and West. The format remains open. Talks, screenings, performances, and discussions come together in different ways each month. Because of this, every encounter develops its own rhythm and focus.
Looking Back
Taking part in the 7th Encounter reminded me how valuable shared observation can be. The evening was not about presenting finished ideas, but about looking at the city together and allowing questions to emerge. As a filmmaker and photographer based in Seoul, I find these moments of exchange essential. They offer space to reflect, listen, and rethink how we see the city we move through every day.
