ADMAF and Seoul Museum of Art present ‘Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits’—the first major Korean contemporary art showcase in the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi: His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan inaugurated Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits – Contemporary Art from Korea, 1960s to Today at Manarat Al Saadiyat, marking a significant milestone in UAE-South Korea cultural ties.
Presented by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), this is the first large-scale showcase of contemporary Korean art in the Middle East. Running until 30 June 2025, the exhibition spans six decades, featuring 48 artworks by 29 artists, including iconic pieces by Nam June Paik and Ayoung Kim.
The event forms part of a landmark three-year partnership between ADMAF and SeMA. The exhibition aims to deepen cultural understanding and exchange, offering audiences a rare look into Korea’s avant-garde media art evolution. “Hosting this exhibition reaffirms our commitment to global cultural dialogue,” said Sheikh Nahyan.
Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis, Founder of ADMAF, highlighted the exhibition’s significance in bridging cultures: “It transcends borders and brings creative communities together through shared values and vision.”
General Director Eunju Choi added that the exhibition marks SeMA’s most expansive presentation in the GCC, to be followed by Intense Proximities in Seoul in December, featuring Emirati artists.
Supported by Mubadala, G42, and GS Energy, and co-curated by SeMA’s Kyung-hwan Yeo and Maya El Khalil, the exhibition includes public programming, screenings, and the Layered Dialogues publication to further cultural exchange.
This initiative underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing stature as a global hub for artistic collaboration and cultural diplomacy.
