Day 19 (8.31)- Art is Everywhere (if you know where to look)

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A great thing about Korea is that there is a strong artistic influence everywhere you look, but you’re more likely to see it on the street than in a museum. It’s all carefully hidden in places you may not expect, but the results are spectacular.

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Sometimes they’re as simple as an installation outside a building…

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Sometimes they’re a great photo-op….

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And sometimes they’re something to be appreciated by everyone….

Lots of times, you’ll see art galleries within shopping centers. I particularly liked this well-traveled shark.

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Gangnam also has some of the most artistic storefronts I’ve ever seen…

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The idea seems to be drawing people in with the art, have them stay for the products inside.

Even the graffiti here is hidden away on benches and alleyways….much different from the tagging we’re used to in the states….

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What does this all show? It seems in America, people believe art (to quote Indiana Jones), belongs in a museum. Korea seems to have the view that the world is a canvas. People are putting their own mark everywhere in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju, and it’s amazing to see art, no matter how noteworthy, so prevalent in the society.