“Real Fun” at Design Biennale

Choi Kyung-ran shares expertise and insights

This year’s Gwangju Design Biennale will recognize the power of design. Under the direction of Choi Kyung-ran with the exhibition “A Real Fun with Design”.

“The things that are interesting to me are the everyday objects, so it is important to find something that is very useful and valuable,” said Choi, Design Biennale Directing General.

After completing her education in design, Choi became both a professional educator and a professional designer. “The background of my education gave me ideas of what design has to do, what I should do with my role and what I am to do with design”.

 

Organizing an international event has required sacrifices. A Seoul native, Choi originally thought that she would visit Gwangju only once a month. “Now, I live once a week in Seoul. … It is a unique and very important situation,” she said.

While staying in Gwangju, Choi has been able to recognize what changes were possible to benefit this year’s Design Biennale.

First, Choi has defined design’s essence and necessity through the Biennale. “Design is something that we can see easily, [and] I have found the area of design in everyday life. There is the basic idea to be engaged with design, to enact it in our lives to be better and to help us be happy.”

Second, this year’s Gwangju Design Biennale will differentiate itself from next year’s Art Biennale. “Design is something that you need, that you can buy and that you can use. It should be designed in production, to be equal in use, so all people have the chance and the freedom to use it.”

Third, healthy attendance and participation rates are Choi’s aims. “Right now, the Biennale is very far from [residents’] activities. They do not have many chances to go and see design, because of their occupations, businesses or teaching. … We need ideas and thoughts, for showing our thoughts with exhibitions. People should speak, talk and present.”

Choi explained how Gwangju photographers’ favorite images assembled into a design piece and how participants can create “design flowers” are first time efforts to involve the community’s involvement at the Bienalle.

Choi added that this month’s community support of the Biennale will generate many more future benefits. “To know what Koreans are thinking together, in better interpretation between Korea, China and Japan, will [help us] then learn more about these cultures. These three countries have design, so it is very special to have design.

“And, of course, Gwangju is becoming an Asian Culture Hub. We learn more every year, as Asian culture has strong content, with not only solving the problems, but also with trying to find what the exhibition means.”

At “Real Fun,” participants will venture through four major areas of design by looking into what “upgrading” Gwangju involves, visualizing the incorporation of Eastern and Western values, “pleasant sharing” through presentations and discussions, witnessing global university and enterprise collaborations, and enjoying work from Korean, Chinese and Japanese cultural curators. Gwangju residents will have a month to visit, with the Design Biennale opening October 15 and closing November 13.

Choi’s final remarks show appreciation for the community’s anticipated attendance and point to this event’s upcoming impact on Gwangju.

“The Gwangju Design Biennale is not only focused on what we can show in Korea or in Gwangju. The Biennale is already international,” she said.

“People keep watching, keep waiting, for this event. Why? People love their Biennale. The people are waiting for their Biennales, always.

We are ready to be evaluated and to give our feedback. We are ready to hear what people say.”