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| The Asian Culture Complex (ACC) in Gwangju will open in September 2015. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
GWANGJU ― When a controversial project to build a major arts complex in Gwangju was announced in 2004, many were skeptical of the profitability of building a mega cultural facility larger than Seoul Arts Center in the remote southwestern city.
As the Asian Culture Complex (ACC) nears its completion, officials are stepping up promotional activities for what they call the "Lincoln Center of Gwangju." But according to research by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, only 26.5 percent of Koreans are aware of the ACC.
Construction of the complex will be completed this autumn and it is scheduled to open September 2015, along with the Gwangju Design Biennale. Despite the grand plan, the ACC still has a long way to go, as what to fill the 161,000-square-meter cultural complex with remains undecided.
"We haven't finalized plans yet, but engagements are being confirmed," said Shin Eun-hyang, ACC planning division director. "We are talking with world-renowned artists such as avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson, known for his contemporary opera Einstein on the Beach. We also plan to invite Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang and Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul for our opening next year."
The institute estimates approximately 1.67 million people will visit the cultural venue annually, but the prospect seems too optimistic as their lineup lacks mass appeal. The ACC said it will lease the venue during off-seasons to popular content providers.
"This is the largest cultural project in the history of Korea. We aim to create a new wave of culture in Asia from here," said Kim Sung-il, assistant minister at the Hub City of Asian Culture Office under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, during a press preview of the complex last week.
Ground for the ACC was broken in 2008, four years after former president Roh Moo-Hyun launched a plan to foster Gwangju as Mecca of culture and arts in Asia. The ACC is the center of the scheme, introducing the history and culture of Asian countries, exchanging culture and supporting creators. The project has a budget of 5.3 trillion won until 2023, including 2.8 trillion won from the government.
