LG OLED and the Whanki Foundation at Frieze Seoul

At Frieze Seoul 2023, LG Electronics took the spotlight as the fair’s headline partner. Together with the Whanki Foundation, LG presented “We Meet Again in Seoul,” an exhibition that reimagined the works of Kim Whanki, one of Korea’s most celebrated modern painters, through cutting-edge OLED displays. Original canvases were displayed alongside digital reinterpretations, creating a dialogue between tradition and technology.

This collaboration went far beyond sponsorship. It illustrated how corporations can leverage art to define brand identity and how technology can expand cultural experience. LG was not merely promoting a product; it was asserting OLED technology as a new artistic medium. The exhibition demonstrated how screens, long associated with entertainment and commerce, could now host cultural content with fidelity and respect for artistic intent.

The impact was twofold. For the art world, it expanded the reach of Whanki’s works, introducing them to audiences who might not otherwise encounter them in person. For LG, it reinforced its identity as a company at the intersection of innovation and culture. The case also revealed a broader trend: in Korea, corporations increasingly see art as a platform for storytelling, not just philanthropy.

This fusion of art and technology highlights the evolving landscape where cultural heritage is amplified through corporate resources. It underscores the role of Korean companies as patrons of culture, capable of shaping not only consumer preferences but also cultural narratives on a global scale.