If you’re feeling bored and weary of your routine, why not visit a nearby indoor art space? Recently, several cultural art spaces that showcase unique characteristics and charm of the Busan region have been established.

The ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN, which opened in July in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, has attracted attention as the world's largest art museum at 1,700 pyeong(坪). (approximately 5,620 square meters). Before this, in 2016, “F1963,” a part of a wire factory in Suyeong-gu, Busan, was transformed into a complex cultural space. This space, which combines an urban park with beautiful architecture, features various facilities such as a library, coffee shop, glass greenhouse, and a performance hall, making it a charming urban retreat. On August 9th, “Channel PNU” visited these two places where art and relaxation can be enjoyed close to everyday life.

■ARTE MUSEUM that awakens the senses

ARTE MUSEUM is an immersive media art exhibition hall created by the digital design company “d’strict.” Unlike other ARTE MUSEUM (in Yeosu, Jeju, and Gangneung), “ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN” is themed around “CIRCLE,” which reflects the essence of Busan, presenting 19 artworks that depict the cycles of nature and life. Of these, 16 are newly unveiled pieces exclusive to ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN. Art works like CIRCLE, WATERFALL INFINITE, FLOWER ROSE, STARRY BEACH, WAVE which combine digital technology and art, are not only pleasing to the eye but also offer a unique experience in daily life.

The first piece you encounter upon entering, “CIRCLE,” provides a fascinating experience that feels as though you’re being drawn into the artwork itself. In “FLOWER ROSE,” you can even smell the fragrant scent of roses, complementing the rose display, engaging not just your sight but also your sense of smell. In “LIVE SKETCHBOOK GUARDIANS,” you can color an animal drawing in your own style, scan it, and watch it appear on a forest-themed screen, allowing you to immerse yourself in the artwork.

The final exhibition “GARDEN” features two themes. The first, “GARDEN ARTE MUSEUM X MUSÉE D’ORSAY,” is a collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay, where the museum’s history and major works are reinterpreted from the perspective of ARTE MUSEUM, accompanied by original classical music. The paintings, arranged in a way that encircles the large exhibition space, give the impression of stepping into a real masterpiece, enhancing the immersive experience. Visitors were seen applauding after watching the entire video. However, as the exhibition space is generally dark, it’s advised to be careful not to fall over while viewing.

Next, you can view the “GARDEN STARRY BUSAN” theme. This work is a large-scale media art piece. The charm of Busan has been transformed into the concepts of Dynamic, Variety, and Dream. It’s recommended to take your time and enjoy the scenes that blend with the music. While watching the roughly 11-minute video, visitors were seen taking photos with the scenes as backgrounds or sitting leisurely to enjoy the artwork. The piece beautifully integrates iconic Busan locations such as Gwangan Bridge, Gamcheon Culture Village, Bosu Book Street, Sajik Baseball Stadium, accompanied by well-known Busan-themed songs like Come Back to Busan Port, Busan Seagull, When I Go to Busan.

Tim (16, Russia), who was traveling Busan, said, “I came here while looking for a space where I could interact with the exhibits, and “WATERFALL INFINITE,” with its intense and attractive feeling, left the strongest impression on me. ARTE MUSEUM is not only interesting to visit in person, but I also think it helps elevate the artistic and cultural aspects of Busan.”

To get to ARTE MUSEUM, take Busan Metro Line 1 to Nampo Station, and then transfer to bus numbers 8, 17, 30, 88, 113, 190. Get off at the ARTE MUSEUM or Dongsam Samgeori stop and walk.

■F1963, A place to spend all day

F1963 was originally the Suyeong Factory, the first factory of Kiswire, which laid the foundation for the company. Over time, this space has been transformed through adaptive reuse into a new space where people of all generations can come together to enjoy a variety of cultural and artistic content. Throughout the space, you can find traces of its industrial past. The factory, once filled with production lines, has been converted into exhibition and performance spaces, the area where a large crane once stood is now the Book Tower, and the wooden trusses that supported the factory roof and steel plates once used in the factory have been repurposed into benches and signposts.

The “F” in F1963 stands for “Factory,” and “1963” refers to the year the Suyeong Factory was completed. Some of the key spaces within F1963 include the Sukcheon Hall, F1963 Square, and the F1963 Library. Sukcheon Hall, created through the public-private partnership between Kiswire and Busan Metropolitan City, hosts a variety of exhibitions each season, so it's a good idea to check the schedule before you visit. F1963 Square is a venue for diverse performances and events, with planned programs that allow visitors to enjoy videos and music.

An exhibition titled “15 Ways to Spend an OO Summer” was on display at Sukcheon Hall This exhibition features 14 artists from various generations and regions, each sharing their unique interpretation of summer through 14 distinct perspectives. The exhibition space is divided into two sections. “Green, Shining” and “Our Summer Days,” allowing visitors to experience the summer as seen through the eyes of artists with different backgrounds. After viewing the works, visitors could also engage in hands-on activities in the “OO Summer Zone,” where they could experience their own interpretation of summer.

In addition to these exhibitions, visitors can take a relaxing break in the urban green spaces of Bamboo Sori Trail and Moonlight Garden. The Bamboo Sori Trail is thickened with bamboo, making it a perfect spot for relaxation. Visitors can also read freely or look through a variety of books at the YES24 Secondhand Bookstore, which is reminiscent of a large library. Shin Su-Ji (22, Saha-gu) said, “I think people who come to see the exhibitions are likely to check out the bookstore as well, and the fact that these spaces are connected makes it convenient for visitors. I’d like to see more cultural and artistic spaces like this in Busan, as they offer a great way to spend leisure time.”

There’s also a kids’ zone, making this a popular spot for families. For a more leisurely experience, a cup of coffee can be enjoyed at Terarosa Coffee, a cafe that preserves the factory’s original picture. For those feeling hungry, Praha993 is a good choice to enjoy traditional Czech beer and cuisine. 

To get to F1963, take Bus No. 100 from the main gate of Pusan National University (PNU), transfer to Bus No. 54 at the Taekwang Apartments stop, and get off at the Kiswire stop. From there, it's a short walk to your destination.

Reported Seo Yoo-Jung

Translated by Seo Yoo-Jung