F!NK at Dodeka, Seoul, Republic of Korea

2 September – 8 October 2010

The Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre touring exhibition F!NK: Fostering Design enjoyed great success at the Australian Embassy in Washington and select venues in Australia. In 2009 the Centre was successful in receiving funding from the Australia-Korea Foundation to take this exceptional exhibition to Seoul. As a result F!NK's Marketing Manager, Gretel Harrison, and curator of the exhibition, Merryn Gates, departed Canberra for Seoul on 30 August 2010. They were joined by artist Robert Foster a few days later.

A venue had been found in the exclusive design store Dodeka. Merryn Gates visits Seoul and writes about her time there.

By Merryn Gates
Independent writer and curator, art advisor to the Parliament House Art Collection, Canberra, and Founding Editor, SFA Press.

As Gretel and I drove to our hotel from Incheon Airport, we were wondering where Dodeka was located. We swung off the freeway into the up-market Kangnam-gu district and were delighted to find it right opposite our hotel.

Next morning we awoke to the awesome sight of a four-storey high banner covering the front of the Dodeka building promoting the exhibition

President of Dodeka, Ms Keunah Park, Hana Kim and the staff of Dodeka made us warmly welcome.

Dodeka was inspired by Japanese design stores with an emphasis on carefully selected stock and the best of international designers in a particular field - Committee, towels from Turkey, soaps from Compagnie de Provence, and leather coats and bags by m0851 from Canada. Each of these design companies have a story. Dodeka sees a role for themselves in introducing the best of international contemporary design to Seoul; offering an alternative to the big name brands that proliferate in this exclusive precinct of the city. “To bring good design to as many people as possible” as the BluDot (USA) motto has it.

It is a credit to Australia that four Australian designers are featured in the Dodeka mix - ceramics by Melbourne-based David Edmonds; lamps by Marc Pascal; jewelry by inSync Design and stools by Zaishu Design Studio.. And of course F!NK. Dodeka made the most of the exhibition and launched a comprehensive selection of F!NK products.

Dodeka offer an interior design service (both Directors trained as interior designers), and advice for film and television interiors. Placement is a strong part of their overall vision which is, in large part, advocacy for good design. They are equally committed to staff development. Most of the staff we met were being encouraged to train in design or offered the opportunity to build skills in window dressing, interior design, and product display. The store regularly changes its floor display, and one evening a memorable sight was the Director kicking off her high heels and climbing ladders to create the most amazing displays. A very hands-on changeover.

The night before the F!NK: Fostering Design opening Seoul was hit by a typhoon. We had never experienced one before and, that day over breakfast, we were thinking it was a bit stormy…the newspaper headlines set that misconception right!

“Typhoon Kompasu Hits Korea · Seoul Suffers Wettest August in 100 Years.” The Chosun Ilbo, 1 September 2010

The banner on the Dodeka building had come loose, but was quickly fixed. The front window was also made over for a special display, styled by a Dodeka staff member. WOW!

The exhibition installation fitted well into the space, and we were very grateful that Dodeka had allowed the specially made showcases to extend into their café area. It all started with the jug, and ended with the lights. F!NK down the middle, and the individual designer's work on the side under their photo panels.

Gretel and I had worked with Dodeka staff over two days installing the exhibition, and when Robert Foster arrived he had a few problems to solve, like the light fittings which were a different size and different watts. He dived into his favourite part of any new city, the hardware hub, and of course solved the problems. The last thing to do was put the photos up and the translation of the introduction panel - it was looking great. We had been corresponding with Hyo-Jin (Jinny) Lee, Director, Australia-Korea Foundation in Korea and it was great to meet her while we were installing the show.

We were taken to lunch at a local restaurant only a short walk from Dodeka called Izakaya. We were impressed by the interior design as much as the delicious food, a huge boulder was suspended among the tables. Our hosts pointed out the designer, who was also lunching there that day.

Ambassador Sam Gerovich opened the exhibition, translator Sunhee Cho beside him on the evening of Thursday 2 September. There were beautiful bouquets from many supporters as is the custom, all draped with ribbon sashes. We were extremely honoured by the presence of Chairman Park, founder of Korea's steel empire POSCO.

Hana pointed out to me when Robert was walking this eminent figure through the exhibition, that there were two men in hats and both loved metal. We also met with Jeff Robinson, Minister and Head of Mission, Embassy of Australia at the opening.

After the Ambassador spoke at the opening, I talked about curating the exhibition, Robert spoke about his work and Gretel spoke about F!NK marketing. Gretel had planned for the tradition of gift exchange and brought with her F!NK products for all of the people involved in making the exhibition such a great success, including the Ambassador who was gifted a F!NK jug.

The day after the opening was taken up with interviews and media events organised by Kate (Jungha) Kim, Dodeka's Creative Director. We spoke with Eun-Ju Ahn of Noblesse; Design Jungle; Seung-Hwan Chung for the Maeil Business Newspaper; Eun-Kying Koh of Hankook Ilbo, The Korean Times. The show had been previewed by Design Jungle. We also met Youngsil Kim and Hyelim Kim of Korea HD Broadcasting Corp.

Dinner on our last evening was hosted by Ms Song's restaurant in the Dodeka building. The restaurant now proudly uses F!NK water jugs, in a brilliant tie-in suggested by Gretel and wholeheartedly supported by Dodeka and the restaurant owners.

Before we left Seoul we had a day to look around the city, not very long so we had to focus. Ayoung Um, of the Seoul Design Foundation, suggested we look at the developing design precinct, Dongdaemoon Design Plaza. A whole city block has been given over to the precinct, and included remnants of the ancient city wall, and the design and social history museums. Also the most stylish fire station we had ever seen. Later that day and with amazing luck we chanced upon an exhibition of master sword-maker Jeon Sung-young at the Insa Art Centre in the cultural district of Insadong.

We are all very grateful for the opportunity to make this important professional connection in Seoul. It is an exciting city, rushing to meet its future. Before we left we talked with Dodeka about building on the relationship and are now looking at launching new F!NK products in Seoul next year.

Return to F!NK Fostering design

Merryn Gates
December 2010

Images (top to bottom):

F!NK: Fostering Design installation at Dodeka, Seoul, 2010. Photograph: courtesy of F!NK + Co
F!NK: Fostering Design installation at Dodeka, Seoul, 2010. Photograph: courtesy of F!NK + Co
F!NK: Fostering Design installation at Dodeka, Seoul with Merryn Gates and Dodeka , 2010. Photograph: courtesy of Merryn Gates
F!NK: Fostering Design installation at Dodeka, Seoul, 2010. Photograph: courtesy of Merryn Gates
F!NK: Fostering Design installation at Dodeka, Seoul, 2010. Photograph: courtesy of Merryn Gates