David Ciclitira "Korean Eye(코리안아이) is a passage to introduce Korean Contemporary art"

"This year's Korean Eye has the best team you can possibly ask for. If either Johnson CHANG Tsong-zung, a magnate in the global art market or prestigious Saatchi Gallery shouts 'fantastic' for an evaluation, it will surely bring about a sensation in the global art scene!"

David Ciclitira  a founder of Korean Eye

The interview with David Ciclitira on 'Korean Eye: FANTASTIC ORDINARY,' the second saga of the Korean Eye Exhibition(an art exhibit that introduces and promotes rising Korean contemporary artists) took place on May 24th, day before the project's official press conference.

David Ciclitira, the founder of ‘Korean Eye’ assures that the Korean Eye project is going to be a success by serving as a passage to introduce Korean contemporary art to the world.

At the lobby of the Westin Chosun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, David Ciclitira pointed out that unlike Chinese and Japanese arts, Korean contemporary art has had relatively little exposure to the international art market.

“Korean art is still in the shadows. I think there was no team of experts working together to present Korean art to the West,” he stated in an interview with Asia Business.

However with his Korean Eye project, he stressed that it will bring a successful future to the Korean art industry.

He and his wife, Serenella Ciclitira co-founded the ‘Korean Eye’ last year. This multi-year initiative was sponsored by Standard Chartered First Bank Korea. It was designed to showcase the finest contemporary Korean art through promoting original and exciting works of Korean artists to the Western and international audiences.
 
‘Korean Eye: Moon Generation’ Exhibition held at London’s prominent Saatchi Gallery last year attracted 300,000 crowds.

In contrast to last year, this year's 'Korean Eye: Fantastic Ordinary' Exhibition is equipped with a committee of enthusiastic curators. Even more, Saatchi Gallery has promised for a much generous sponsorship and support for the fair. Talk about a 'dream team!'

The committee is composed of multinational curators, such as a director Tsong-zung Chang, an honorary fellow of Royal College of Arts, Serenella ciclitira, an art consultant Amelie von Wedel, a director of Phillips de Pury Company, Rodman Primack, an art historian Lee Ji Yoon and Lee Dae-hyung, the head of the curating company Hzone who was last exhibition's curator.

What made David Ciclitira, the president of Parallel Media Group that specializes in executive sports, primarily in golf decided to take the leading role of promoting Korean contemporary art to Western and ultimately international community?

As the response, Ciclitira remarked, "I first visited Korea three years ago for business and came across Korean arts by chance. Then I instantly mesmerized and fascinated by the breadth and sophistication of it." "I spent most of my time in Korea going and coming through art galleries, experiencing contemporary Korean art. The fresh cultural and artistic richness of contemporary Korean art was extraordinary" he added.

"I thought to myself 'how the art of such exceptionality yet to receive critical attention from the global art market?' Later, I determined to develop the 'Korean Eye' exhibition" he mentioned.

What's more, he puts importance on publishing bilingual books on Korean contemporary art. "I think the reason Korean art was less recognized than other Asian art is because there was not enough books that introduce Korean art in English" explained Ciclitira, the founder of Korean Eye.

On July 5th, the Contemporary Korean Art Publishing Fair will take place in Saatchi Gallery. The book on Korean contemporary art will be made up of 500 pages, including 75 artists. Moreover, world's famous corporation SKIRA will take charge of the publishing of the book while Thames and Hudson will assume the distribution part.

The cover of the ‘KOREA EYE : Contemporary Korean Art’ which introduces the artworks of rising Korean contemporary artists. David and Serenella Ciclitira are planning to open a publication ceremony on July 5th at Saatchi Gallery, London

In addition, he has expressed his profound affection for Korea by scheduling to offer the Korean version of the Sacchitch Gallery Website.

Truth to be told, he owns 22 artworks from Korean artists like Bae Joonsung, Kang Hyung Kook, Debbie Han, Sung TaeJin Leekilwoo, Cho Hoon Lee Rim, Kim Joon.
He pinpointed 'uniqueness' in Korean contemporary art as its most distinguishable strength.

"There is already a bubble in the Chinese art market but in case of Korea every artist has their own uniqueness. This shows a great potential for growth in Korean art. Contrary to artists from China, Korean artists are more in line with the international art trends, yet still manage to maintain their traditional Korean identities."

Furthermore, he commented that he is eager to support fresh faces in Korean art, armed with hefty growth potential.

"Last but not least, he didn't forget to note that he would very much like to bring a larger Korean Eye-branded show to other 'markets' including, perhaps Shanghai or Abu Dhabi in the near future."

*Saatchi Gallery: Established by world's renowned art collector Charles Saatchi in 1985. It is a thriving modern art gallery headquartered in Chelsea's Duke of York, London which supports rising artists by addressing their artworks. It is the biggest, free-of-charge contemporary art exhibit. Since the foundation, it has brought in more than 1.6 million fervent gallery-goers.

Written by Miho Lee, Translated by Yoonsun Um

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