WEBZINE ACC

Marking its 10th anniversary in 2025, the Asia Culture Center (ACC) seeks to transform itself into an “open culture room” where anyone can visit and stay, evolving beyond a mere cultural space. As part of this effort, various visual signages have been installed, and public artworks have been realigned. Considering the characteristics of the building located underground and hard to find, the ACC improved visitors’ convenience by installing 11 new visual signages for gate numbers, institutional names, and portrait images. In addition, the realignment of various public artworks within the ACC ensures an enhanced and vibrant experience for visitors. As the season of fresh air approaches, the ACC is now waiting for you as an urban resting place for everyone.

The Changing ACC

Cho Sang-in, Journalist of The Seoul Economic Daily, Director of Art Policy Research Center, Baeksang Economic Research Institute

A child’s eyes, twinkling with playfulness, peek out from behind the wall. His face, full of laughter, surprises the neighborhood kids playing on the lawn, a man about to throw out the garbage, and a woman secretly pouring drinks.

“Is it OK because no one is watching? I’m watching!”

In early May, this little boy, quickly nicknamed the “Hanul Madang Keeper,” appeared in Hanul Madang, a slope-style outdoor garden at the ACC in Dong-gu, Gwangju. From the entrance to Jebong-ro, where the name “Asia Culture Center (ACC)” is prominently displayed, you can meet the eyes of this child grasping the wall. Below him, a sign reads: “Look beyond what you see.” For first-time visitors to the ACC, this sparks curiosity—"What more could there be?” For those familiar with the historical significance of this place as the cradle of the Gwangju Uprising or the architectural decision to build underground to preserve the surrounding landscape, it evokes deeper curiosity and anticipation.

The ambiance of the ACC, once somewhat dark despite its grandeur, has transformed into something cheerful and soft. Walking toward the ACC from the intersection in front of Dong-gu District Office, a cheerful sound like a wind chime hanging from the leaves of a temple in the mountains, catches my ear. Following the sound, I look up to find a large number 3, marking Gate 3 of the ACC. The 2.4-meter–wide by 3.6-meter–high signboard, hanging at the height of a street lamp, is made up of palm-sized pixels that move in response to wind, producing a gentle sound reminiscent of a springtime barley field. At dusk, light bouncing off the metal surface creates an effect like sunlight shimmering on the waves.

The ACC has six entrances arranged counterclockwise around the ACC Culture Exchange center. Except for Gates 1, 4, and 6, temporarily closed for the restoration of the former Jeonnam Provincial Office, the remaining entries now have new number signs: Gate 2 for the ACC Children is in yellow, Gate 3 for the ACC Archive & Research is in green, and Gate 5 for the ACC Theater is in red. These signs, less than 10 meters tall, hang like flags and can be seen from a kilometer away, increasing visibility. Visitors’ convenience has also been enhanced, as the colors distinguish the different areas.

Opened in November 2015, the ACC encompasses the historically significant former Jeonnam Provincial Office, a symbol of the Gwangju Uprising. The ACC’s mission is to reinterpret this historical legacy through forward-looking art, spanning 160,000 square meters, making it the largest cultural space in Korea. Its identity as “Asia’s cultural window to the world” is significant. The decision to build underground to preserve the surrounding landscape was a masterstroke, though it gives the exterior a calm, static impression. In contrast, the works exhibited and performed within are born from innovative ideas and provocative experimentation, representing the youthful energy, diversity, and dynamism of Asian culture not immediately apparent from the outside.

Noticing the temperature difference between the exterior and interior, the ACC sought to make a change. They contacted Lee Je-seok Advertising Research Institute, known for combining the spatial identity of institutions like the Gwacheon National Science Museum and the Korean National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art with customized marketing techniques. “Since it is an underground building with an area of 160,000 square meters, viewing it from the outside is merely the ‘tip of the iceberg,’ so we needed to highlight the massive iceberg beneath,” Lee explained. “We decided to hang entrance signs higher so that people could recognize from a distance, ‘There is the ACC.’” The challenge was finding a technique or material flexible enough to withstand strong winds. Finding solutions with what he has and transforming shortcomings into strengths is Lee’s specialty. Lee found inspiration in the ACC building itself. Architect Woo Kyu Sung designed the ACC to maximize natural light, allowing sunlight to reach the fourth basement floor, and incorporated perforations in the walls for natural air circulation. Lee used perforated metal plates divided into grids to form the shape of numbers, and the modular plates create a structure that naturally opens and closes, allowing wind to escape. Such plates are safe from strong winds and visually effective. In addition, the institution’s name signs on the five exterior walls were redesigned to protrude beyond the fence, evoking the image of a “tipped iceberg.”

Entrance Number Sign for Gate 6

Wang Du <Victory!>

Slight changes to the number plates and signage brought significant differences to the general atmosphere. They made the ACC more friendly and approachable. Enjoying public art inside the ACC while strolling the grounds at any time is a bonus. ACC Magic Mountain (2017) by Ugo Rondinone, exhibited by the roadside toward the ACC Theatre, was inspired by the dolmens of Hwasun in Jeollanam-do and Gochang in Jeollabuk-do, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as the columnar joint in Mt. Mudeung. It is the artist’s first permanent installation in Asia. The white hand emerging from the grass inside the ACC is Victory! (2015) by Chinese artist Wang Du. Overall, the hand looks realistic, but only the bones of the two fingers that form the V remain. The bones resemble bamboo, a symbol of restraint and incision. With the bonds, the work signifies the prosperity and victory of Asia that may decay but will never disappear. In the lobby inside the building, visitors encounter Matali Crasset’s Reflexcity (2015), where they can sit or lie down, and Choi Jeong-hwa’s sofas, chairs, and tables made from common materials in daily life. The work exhibited in the lobby on the fourth basement floor is Lee Bul’s Untitled (2015). In the circular courtyard of the ACC Archive & Research, you can find Seven Days (2017) by Baek Seung-woo, a seven-line story of the weekdays written in seven rainbow colors. English phrases like “Bloody Sunday,” “Monday Without You,” and “Today Was Wednesday” are borrowed from the titles of old pop songs. The work, which rotates 360° once an hour, symbolizes the historical time we should not forget, nor can we forget, in the cyclical repeat of time. It is a good season to visit the ACC, which has approached us with a sense of familiarity with everyday life. PA

Dreaming of a Beautiful Healing Spot

By Jeong Yeowool

The first impression I had after exploring every corner of the ACC was this: it’s a great place to walk, stay, and think. Its grand, sophisticated, and modern touches, combined with simple aesthetics, captivated my heart. This location is sure to appeal to those like me who prefer the “void” over the “spectacle” of space. Spaces that focus on spectacle tend to emphasize attractions over comfort, making visits to such spaces exhausting because of overcrowding and high costs. However, those who find solace and healing in empty spaces rather than outward appearances consider how individuals move and pause within that space. It’s only within the empty spaces of a place that one truly begins to contemplate its meaning. When a space is fully utilized with no room left, there’s no time to ponder its purpose. The ACC seems to have hit two birds with one stone, satisfying both the need for visual attractions and the need for empty spaces. I believe I will adore this venue for its balance between spectacle and space.

The ACC deserves to become a cherished location for many because it embraces both abundant attractions and cozy resting places. What also captured my heart is its consideration for visitors of all ages. Children can run around and engage in hands-on learning activities, young people can enjoy dates in spaces with marvelous sights and cozy resting spots, taking sentimental photos for Instagram, and middle-aged and elderly people can listen to lecturers, read books, and relax in spacious resting areas. While accommodating the diverse needs of all these visitors, the ACC exudes vibrant and active energy. This makes me wonder, “What is this space trying to tell us?” drawing my attention to the intentions behind its design.

I have also lectured at the ACC before. One of the best things was the ability to see the refreshing outdoor scenery from the spacious indoor area. It felt wonderful to share the indoor coziness and the expansive outdoor feeling simultaneously. The blurring of the distinction between inside and outside was delightful. Observing people smiling and listening to lectures with children in comfortable seats and those enjoying solitude while listening to lectures was a relief. Unlike overcrowded venues with small desks, here, both lecturers and participants seemed to experience the healing effects of space, which made me feel at ease. Thinking, “What we need is this broad aesthetic distance between us,” I was able to immerse myself in an even more pleasant imagining. If more wonderful lectures and performance venues were organized in public architecture, people would feel less distant from culture, art, and the humanities, living with the idea that they are “always supported by culture and art.”

Above all, this space impresses me because it is dedicated to remembering and commemorating traumas properly. Rather than trying to erase the site of trauma, it embraces the trauma itself with great heart. At this very spot where the trauma of the Gwangju Uprising remains, people can calmly reflect on their painful scars and feel emotions of mourning for those they miss.

Lee Bul <Untitled>

Baek Seung-woo <Seven Days>

What is the commonality of beautiful architectural spaces? First, they harmonize with their surroundings, enriching the lives of residents and delighting travelers simultaneously. A great architectural space is not just a standalone building but one that communicates harmoniously with its environment, enhancing the quality of life for both residents and the entire city. Second, it should provide both visual beauty and emotional satisfaction. Unlike artworks, architectural spaces serve as the backdrop for human living rather than mere objects for appreciation. They should be pleasing to the eye, comfortable to live in, and inviting even for a short visit. Third, it should demonstrate temporal continuity, establishing links between the past, present, and future. Spaces that remind us of their past significance, clearly demonstrate their current meaning and role, and optimistically envision their future are the ones that truly bring us happiness. This is particularly crucial in public architecture, which serves the entire community, emphasizing the importance of spaces that foster mutual prosperity and happiness for all.

Renzo Piano, a world-renowned architect, once felt uncertain about the unconventional appearance of the Centre Pompidou, questioning whether it qualified as proper architecture. However, upon seeing the happiness in the faces of the people leaving the Centre Pompidou, he was convinced: “Oh, people are happy.” That’s what matters. It’s not about the awards or rankings but about the happiness evident in the faces of those who visit every day. That is the hallmark of successful architecture. After touring the ACC, I felt a strong desire to visit again. I want to give lectures, hold meetings, and, most of all, relax and stroll around. A place that offers unique charms in every season, attracting visitors from afar and deepening its allure with time, becomes your healing space. Architecture that makes you happy while you’re there—that is your fragrant healing space. PA