Bear and gorilla Statue

Clutching my banana, I pondered the Bear and gorilla statue before us. It’s a quirky piece, isn’t it? Part of Seoul’s “Seoul is Museum” project. This program aims to transform the city into a sprawling open-air museum. The Bear and gorilla, crafted from plastic, stands as a testament to this ambitious vision. The “Seoul is Museum” initiative, launched in 2016, seeks to weave art into the everyday urban fabric. It’s about fostering deeper cultural encounters. The project reevaluates existing public art and commissions new pieces that resonate with the city’s pulse. The goal is to create spaces where art invites reflection and connection. Unlike traditional public art installations meant to be permanent fixtures, works in this program have life cycles. After a set period, their future is reviewed. They might be extended, preserved, relocated, or even removed. This dynamic approach keeps the city’s artistic landscape fresh and responsive to the evolving urban environment. So, the Bear and gorilla, with its playful presence, might one day migrate to a new corner of Seoul. Perhaps it will reside near the Noksapyeong Station Underground Art Garden, once a field of green grass, now adorned with over 600 plants. Or maybe it will find a home alongside the luminous spaces of the “Hongje Flexible” project near the Hongjecheon Stream. Who knows? The beauty of “Seoul is Museum” is its constant evolution. The city becomes a living canvas. The Bear and gorilla, a playful brushstroke in its ever-changing masterpiece.