Whenever we travel, we always try to visit a museum and, lucky for us, Korea is chock full of them. And while the National Museum of Korea is definitely not one to be missed, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has wonderful exhibitions and is located near the heart of downtown Seoul just down the street from Gyeongbokgung, making it a convenient stop on any itinerary.
The MMCA is housed in a repurposed military building, so it’s kind of a unique blend of historic architecture and modern brick design. It’s four floors of rotating exhibitions of contemporary Korean and international artists. There’s also a rooftop garden, a cozy central courtyard, an on-site café and a bookstore/ gift shop, making it a perfect spot to unwind or escape on a hot or rainy day.
The Works of Ron Mueck. Like Life, but Bigger.
Right now, the museum is featuring a Ron Mueck solo exhibition which features 24 of his insanely jaw-dropping hyperrealistic sculptures. They’re housed in two separate galleries which helps to reduce the lines but also separates the themes of the two areas.
The first sculpture to catch my eye was “In Bed”, a stunningly realistic 6.5‑meter-long reclining woman cocooned under her blanket. Every crease, eyelash, even the veins under her skin were crafted to a level of realism I didn’t think was possibly by hand. That being said, the vertical “Mass” installation of 100 giant resin skulls rising up one of the gallery walls is one that everyone stopped to gawk at. Completely haunting and unforgettable.
An Evolving Snapshot of Contemporary Art of Korea
As of May this year, the museum has also launched the “MMCA Collection,” a permanent show highlighting about 90 major works from the 1960s to the 2010s, with rotating selections to refresh the gallery each year. It’s a great way to dive into Korea’s modern art evolution.
Personally I really loved Kang Ik‑joong’s “Samramansang,” which roughly translating to “all things in the universe.” It’s is a beautiful mosaic built from around 10,000 tiny souvenirs and toys (many from his son’s childhood) that have been meticulously glued onto multiple 3 × 3 inch canvases. Each mini object holds personal history and memories for the artist, and is his way of visually creating an ongoing conversation between everyday life, family, and universal connection. There are even binoculars near the piece, so you can really take it all in.
While you can pay to view individual exhibits, an all access pass to the MMCA is only 7,000 KRW per person. But if you’re on a bit of a budget, admission is free on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 6 PM to 9 PM. Admission is also free on the last Wednesday of every month, known as Culture Day.
Where is the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul?
The MMCA is located just across the street from Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum of Korea. But, if you’re coming from elsewhere, the easiest route is to take the Orange Line (line no. 3) to Anguk Station and walk out from exit 1. From there it’s a 10 minute walk.
- Address:
- 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul (Google Maps)
- 서울 종로구 삼청로 30 (Naver Map)
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Ron Mueck is a new name for me, but his work is truly something! It really makes you reconsider your own size — suddenly, you’re not the “normal” height, which is quite an unusual feeling to have in a museum. It’s fascinating to see familiar human features at such an unprecedented scale. Thanks for sharing!