299 days to opening: organizers pledge success as artist lineup, platform construction gain pace
The countdown has begun for the Island Biennale, which will bring together the distinctive beauty of South Chungcheong Province's islands and artworks from around the world, with 299 days remaining until the opening.
The Island Biennale Organizing Committee unveiled a D-day countdown display Monday at the lobby of the first below-ground floor of the provincial government building, with Political Vice Governor Jeon Hyeong-sik and other officials in attendance, reaffirming their commitment to a successful event.
The ceremony, held 299 days before the biennale's opening, proceeded with remarks by Vice Governor Jeon, followed by the unveiling of the display, a commemorative photo session and short-form video filming.
Co-hosted by South Chungcheong Province and Boryeong City and organized by the committee, the biennale will run for two months — from April 3 to May 30, 2027 — on and around Wonsan Island and Godae Island in Boryeong, under the theme "Moving Island: Beyond the Horizon of Events."
The organizing committee has set its vision for the event as "an Island Biennale that envisions a sustainable future through the coexistence of islands and art."
Its guiding direction is to establish the Island Biennale brand through the creation of landmark artworks that reinterpret the ecological and cultural value of the islands, while revitalizing the local economy through sustainable tourism development.
A total of 70 artists and teams — 31 domestic and 39 international — are set to participate, presenting 80 works spanning sculpture, installation, painting, media and performance at venues including the Island Culture and Arts Platform on Wonsan Island, vacant and idle spaces on Wonsan and Godae islands, sandy beaches and coastal roads.
The Island Culture and Arts Platform, the biennale's core infrastructure, sits on a 9,886-square-meter site with a total floor area of 3,989 square meters. Construction is being accelerated toward a target completion by the end of this year, with 30 billion won (about $21.7 million) invested in the project.
Side events to enrich the biennale have also been announced in detail.
Exhibition-linked programs will be offered to deepen moviegoers' understanding of the works, including a moving network, moving talks with artists, a docent program, art tours, moving performances and artist-led education sessions.
A symposium will also be held at Boryeong Mud Theme Park on July 10 to build a foundation for medium- and long-term cooperation through exchanges among domestic and international public art curators, local artists and overseas organizers. A second symposium after the opening will further raise the biennale's profile and secure its international standing.
Side events aimed at promoting extended-stay and experiential tourism will include a five-island cruise tour, a bicycle art route on Wonsan Island, a maritime light show, a meditation program and art camping.
"The Island Biennale is a core project to introduce the beautiful islands and seas of South Chungcheong Province to the world and to chart a future in which the province's culture, tourism and local economy grow together," Vice Governor Jeon said. "Through this biennale, we will elevate the province's precious maritime cultural resources into world-class content and create new value from the boundless potential of its islands."
He added that "the number on the D-day display lit up today is not merely a measure of physical time — it is a testament to our will to stage a successful Island Biennale and a commitment to the people of South Chungcheong Province that we will open a new future for the region," pledging to prepare for the event without a hitch.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
