Excerpt: Seoul Photographic Art Museum, designed by Mask Architects, has the purpose of structuring and shaping itself as a big camera. Concerning the local and national visitors, this installation will expand the educational opportunities, cultural and economic growth for the residents of the Northeastern region. At the same time, this cultural center takes INSPIRATION from TAEKKYEON. This traditional Korean martial art uses fluid, rhythmic dance-like movements to strike or trip up an opponent.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Turkish Architect Öznur Pınar Çer’s firm MASK Architects has designed The First Art and Photograpy Museum in the World which has taken a picture by itself in Seoul. Named “The First Camera Obscura Photographic Art Museum” , we can think about this installation in a simple and fun way: it is the museum itself, with its roof-top camera and pinholes in exhibition rooms, who are taking a picture of the present skyline of Seoul and showing it to the visitor.
The main purpose of the project is to use the structure and shape of the building itself as a big camera. The camera obscura idea on the top of the building will project the wide sky that could be seen from the roof. It can also be used on the west and east surfaces of the building, which would allow the Camera to show Seoul’s urban landscape across the gallery space. Now, just by walking on the gallery space that is in the centre of the building, visitors can experience in real-time lively scenes of the surrounding Seoul city. This kind of scientific device will give a wonderful experience for all kinds of local public, making the visit a must for any tourist that happens to visit the city. In relation to the local and national visitors, this installation will expand the educational opportunities, cultural and economic growth for the residents of the Northeastern region. Moreover, local residents, professional and amateur photographers will have the chance to profit from the museum’s collections and exhibitions. And all these cases, the ground floor space, in which the Camera Obscura would project the outside images, will be used for festivals, forums, and exhibitions that will further enhance the dynamic and lively nature of our installation.
“Photographic Art Museum Design ‘ sets itself in contrast to the block-like structures t hat surround it in Seoul, Korea. At the same time, this cultural center takes INSPIRATION from TAEKKYEON which is a traditional Korean martial art that makes use of fluid, rhythmic dance-like movements to strike or trip up an opponent. On the front side of the building we can experience a cantilever movement through the south side that represents a KICK OF THE HUMAN such as TAEKKYEON dance movements, which are fluid, organic and strong in their emphasis. This has in its front a spectacular trapezoid in movement, different in every angle: an open form that invites the public into its space. The overhanging structures on the front of the building double up as projecting roofs, guiding the visitor into the orientation area, Ticket hall, cafe and bookstore hall. The exposed steel structure appears like a huge sculpture with decoratively alternating light and shadow on the wide forecourt. Each of the angles of the building provide a different perspective on a different angle so that visitors can share the exciting feeling the building communicates while they are surrounded by its infrastructure. The overlapping, curved contours on the surface break out of the orthogonal urban grid pattern, attracting visitors magically.
Museum Design’s fluid architecture embodies an enlightened philosophical framework. T he centre’s fluid exterior surfaces rise from its surroundings to define a series of exhibition, education, and research spaces within, inviting the urban fabric of the city into the heart of building. The Museum rises up to 22 meters in height and covers an area of 84 5 square meters footprint closed area. Inside, the center of the building has an impressive spiral staircase that leads to the four-floors of the exhibition and education level as a continuous and fluent design. The dynamic stair sculpture not only connects the exhibitions and education levels between the orientation zone but also acts as a stage for t he flow of movement through the ‘vertical decorative element‘.
In total 6,658.92 gross square meter on the museum’s four floors where you can enjoy in real lifetime the photo experience and exhibitions of classic examples of ‘Camera Obscura.’ The exhibition part will be comprised of optical illusions, puzzles, etc., providing guests with dizzying alternate realities and tricks for the mind and the senses. Gamification will be a key element of these exhibitions. Visitors are encouraged to get involved wit h everything, play with it all, and unlike a lot of learning centers, there is nothing in this one you are not allowed to touch. Its interior will be distributed over the 3rd and 4th floors, that hosts a wide variety of artworks of over 1,435 square meters of exhibition. It s particular external form does not allow the entry of the light. However, some of the exterior facade panels would be made openable, closable, and adjustable for the times in which there will be need of daylight in that area.
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