Launch of MMCA Research Lab

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA; director Kim Sunghee) is pleased to announce the official launch of MMCA Research Lab, an online platform for Korean art research. MMCA Research Lab is designed to share a wealth of Korean contemporary art knowledge, information, and research findings, aiming to facilitate an understanding thereof by focusing on Korean art’s development from the nation’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945 to the present day. The platform is created to not only provide information but also to foster a systematic understanding of contemporary Korean art and contribute to the formation of networks between international and Korean art researchers and institutions.

The MMCA Research Lab website is a unique resource that charts the development of Korean art through its comprehensive "Timeline” section. This feature provides a swift, overarching view of Korea’s art historical landscape at a glance. The initiative also aims to delve into new areas within Korean art while fostering meaningful collaboration among experts inside and outside the museum. The outcomes of said efforts are showcased under the “Features” section while the “Essays” section spotlights significant literature on pivotal events, figures, and artworks in the museum’s published manuscripts. Finally, the “Art Terms” section acts as a glossary, detailing key figures, groups, institutions, exhibitions, terms, and publications referenced throughout the art history chronology. As it stands, the website shares its 654 timeline entries, 62 essays, and over 400 entries on art terms, in both Korean and English. Moreover, the 1,000 visual aids accompanying the abovementioned content offers users a richer exploration of Korean art.

MMCA Research Lab’s distinct home screen, available in both Korean and English, presents keywords related to contemporary Korean art organized monthly from 1945 to 1999. This design encourages an intuitive exploration experience as users seamlessly navigate through noteworthy events and activities by clicking on these keywords. Crafted with a unique calendar-inspired layout, this interface aims to become a key resource for researchers around the globe seeking to deepen their understanding of contemporary Korean art.

The contemporary Korean art history timeline was developed through the collaborative efforts of curators and researchers in MMCA and the broader academic community. Korean art specialists and art historians played a crucial role in drafting and reviewing the timeline through participation in a series of editorial meetings. The museum curators examined the timeline according to their specialties in medium. This joint endeavor has culminated in a detailed and comprehensive timeline of contemporary Korean art history, which is now publicly available in both Korean and English.

MMCA Research Lab aims to further enrich and vitalize the resources and Korean art research offered through continuous expansion of its historical timeline and inclusion of additional functionalities. A seminar aimed at uncovering the possibilities offered by online research platforms will follow and delve into the making process of MMCA Research Lab, fostering discussions about the future of research through online platforms with participants. Registration will open in early March on MMCA’s official website and further information will be provided.