MMCA Gwacheon Project is a public contest program organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) as part of its strategy to magnify and expand the key functions of MMCA Gwacheon and revitalize its outdoor space. Expanding on the previous years' outdoor pavilion projects, which were installed only for a set period of time, this year’s Gwacheon Project seeks to enhance the value of the museum experience through the permanent revival of the museum’s space. As part of plans for MMCA Gwacheon’s general renewal to be undertaken by 2026 in time for the museum’s 40th anniversary, this year’s project will facilitate organic collaborations between creators in various fields, including architecture, design, and landscape design, to reform parts of the museum and reconstruct it into an improved platform for artistic experiences. The bus stops around the museum, which act as rest areas for visitors who use the museum shuttle bus, were selected as the first sites of renewal. As Art Bus Shelters, the renovated bus stops will provide visitors with a site-specific experience, allowing them to fully enjoy the lasting impact of MMCA Gwacheon’s hospitality towards ecological practices, the short yet pleasant bus ride to the museum known for its natural surroundings, and the landscape and artworks it presents.
The winning work of this year's contest is ( ) function by Diagonal Thoughts (Kim Sara). Kim proposed that this work be installed at MMCA Gwacheon's three shuttle bus stops, located at Seoul Grand Park Station and the museum’s main and back entrances. Under the theme of "The Art of Waiting," which embodies the anticipation and curiosity that precedes one’s arrival at the museum, the work integrates various forms to materialize a space similar to a structuralized abstract sculpture. The work, incorporating spatial mechanisms suited to different conditions, allows users in different actions and postures to experience the space and expand their perception flexibly, highlighting the museum's site-specificity and ecology as it seeks to spatially regenerate and expand the museum.
