This exciting new exhibition is a collaboration between ADMAF and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)
The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has unveiled Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits; the first major exhibition of contemporary Korean art in the Middle East; at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, the exhibition marks a historic cultural exchange between the UAE and South Korea.
A collaboration between ADMAF and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), this large-scale showcase runs until 30 June 2025 and features 48 thought-provoking works by 29 pioneering Korean artists, spanning six decades of innovation in visual and media arts.
The exhibition offers a fresh look at Korea’s vibrant art scene; highlighting how artists have responded to sweeping social and technological changes through dynamic, media-driven works.
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Visitors can expect everything from iconic pieces like Nam June Paik’s Self-Portrait Dharma Wheel to immersive contemporary installations like Ayoung Kim’s Delivery Dancer’s Sphere.
Designed by Formafantasma, the space enhances the artworks with a narrative-driven layout, while a rich public program of talks, performances, and screenings will further engage audiences.
A special publication, Layered Dialogues, will also spotlight contributions from UAE-based writers, deepening the cultural exchange.
This exhibition is part of the Abu Dhabi Festival 2025 and represents a milestone in the three-year partnership between ADMAF and SeMA.
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The collaboration will continue in December 2025 with Intense Proximities—a sequel exhibition in Seoul showcasing Emirati artists for the first time at SeMA.
Don’t miss this unique cultural experience connecting Korea and the UAE through creativity, dialogue, and contemporary art.
Until 30 June. Manarat Al Saadiyat. For further information, visit Manarat Al Saadiyat
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