The South Korean government is discussing a plan to allow the rental of artworks for installation in larger buildings, rather than requiring direct purchase. This initiative comes amid ongoing criticism that installed artworks often become neglected or deteriorate, turning into "eyesores" in front of buildings. The rental option could broaden builders' choices and improve post-installation management.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a policy discussion on improving the system for artworks in buildings will take place on September 16 at the National Folk Museum in Jongno, Seoul. Local governments, artists, architects, and relevant organizations, including the Korea Arts Council, will participate.
Notably, the rental program is on the agenda. Under the current Cultural Arts Promotion Act, builders of certain types or sizes of buildings are required to allocate a percentage of construction costs for artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and crafts. The ministry is considering allowing compliance with this requirement through rented artworks instead of purchased ones.
However, this proposal is still in its early stages. Specific details regarding the rental period, cost assessment, and artwork replacement methods have yet to be determined.
A ministry official stated, "The rental program is one of several options we are exploring. It could offer advantages in terms of post-installation management and contribute to revitalizing the art market. It may also diversify builders' choices." The official added, "We are still in the conceptual phase, and nothing has been finalized yet."
Post-installation management of artworks in buildings has long been a challenge. While the initiative aims to expand creative opportunities for artists and provide citizens with more access to art, there have been persistent concerns that poorly maintained artworks can detract from urban aesthetics.
Recently, a large fountain sculpture installed in an apartment complex in Songpa District, Seoul, during its construction in 2009 was criticized for being neglected and showing signs of wear, such as broken tiles. In another case, a work titled "Red Diving Goggles" by artist Yuk Geun-byeong, installed in front of the Hyundai Department Store in Sinchon in the same year, led to conflicts between the builder and the artist over maintenance methods. They eventually reached an agreement for restoration in 2024, highlighting ongoing issues surrounding post-installation management.
Implementing a rental program presents several challenges. Detailed criteria must be established regarding the rental entity, method, duration, cost assessment, and whether artworks will be replaced after the contract ends. The potential impact on artists' sales if purchases are replaced by rentals also needs to be considered.
Jung Jun-mo, a former curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, noted, "If a rental program is introduced, the costs associated with installation and transportation of artworks could be significant. There is also a risk that subpar artworks could be rented, harming urban aesthetics, or that conflicts could arise over responsibility if artworks are damaged during the rental period." He added, "While there is already a review process for aesthetics, there are still many debates regarding the quality of artworks. Before implementing a rental program, it is essential to comprehensively review the evaluation criteria and the targets for installation."
The method for selecting artworks is also under discussion. A comprehensive amendment to the Cultural Arts Promotion Act, proposed by 14 lawmakers including Jo Gye-won in July, aims to expand the requirement for public art competitions to include certain residential complexes. This would extend the current obligation, which applies to national and local governments and public institutions, to the private sector. If passed, private apartments meeting the criteria set by presidential decree would also need to select artworks through public competitions.
The Ministry of Culture plans to gather opinions on the amendment while broadly discussing long-term improvements, including the rental program and enhanced post-installation management. A ministry official stated, "We will freely discuss not only the proposed amendment but also various long-term improvement measures."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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