About space*c

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About space*c

space*c is an art and culture complex established by Coreana Cosmetics in pursuit of its management philosophy, “a beautiful corporation.” space*c has constantly worked to create a new culture in which traditional and modern cultures are in sync with one another and forge a cultural community where everyone can live together.


space*c consists of the Coreana Cosmetics Museum whose goal is to publicize the history and superiority of Korean cosmetic culture, and the Coreana Museum of Art that focuses on contemporary art and introduces Korean as well as international artists. Together they work as a specialized institution to share the company’s gains with the public.


space*c aims to not only be a site for communication in which every narrative of the times stays but also a space of creation in which upcoming cultures will be created. It is an urban space where the beauty of art goes hand in hand with nature and a cultural space where research meets art.

"space*c is an urban space with the beauty of traditional culture, art, and nature. The space will contribute to the good of society with its aspiration and meaning based on the spirit of reviewing the old and learning the new."

2003. 11. 20
Yu Sang Ok

The Founder
Yu Sang Ok

Yu Sang Ok (Co-director of the Coreana Cosmetics Museum & Coreana Museum of Art) presently works as a cultural manager, collector, and essayist. The founder and CEO of Coreana Cosmetics, Yu has contributed to society through culture and arts patronage based on the principle that corporates should return their profits and gains to society. space*c is an outgrowth of this belief in conjunction with the ancient and modern artworks that he has collected over a long period of time.


When working as the 9th president of the “Friends of the National Museum of Korea (FNMK)” and honorary president of the Korean Art Museum Association, Yu has led a wide array of activities such as activation of supporters’ association activities, establishment of the FNMK’s academic award, and a proposal of the event to visit museums 100 times. He has also constantly been involved in activities to donate collections requested by his alma mater and cultural institutions, including his donation of 200 pieces (2009) to the National Museum of Korea. In recognition of his contribution to the culture scene, he was awarded the Order of Culture Merit (Okgwan) in 2009 and the Order of Culture Merit (Bogwan) in 2022.

The Architect
Chung Guyon

space*c was designed by the architect Chung Guyon with the mottos of “a living cultural space,” “a living home,” and “a garden in an urban center.” Chung has tried to design a forest of life and a place like a garden in the center of a city by which he intended to eliminate the desolate ambiance of the Gangnam area.


Chung studied architecture at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs and Universite Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (the University of Paris VI) after majoring in crafts at the Seoul National University, Department of Applied Art. After his return from France, he worked as a professor of architecture at the Korea National University of Arts, a chair-professor at Sungkyunkwan University, and served as the commissioner for the Korean pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2004. Chung, often referred to as an ecological architect, has focused his capabilities on public architecture that helps people live together. Almost all of the buildings he has designed feature nature that is in harmony with its surroundings.


Works by Chung Guyon

Public Project (Muju, 1999), Miracle Library (Suncheon, 2003), space*c (Seoul, 2003), Miracle Library (Seogwipo, 2004), Kaywon University of Art & Design Information Center (Uiwang, 2007), Bongha Village (Gimhae, 2008), Ji Pyeong Seon Middle & High School (Gimjae, 2009), Miracle Library (Gimhae, 2010)

History
  • 2024
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok is awarded the certificate of merit by Friends of National Museum of Korea(FNMK).
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok is awarded the 27th “Pride of Museum Professional Prize” by the Korean Museum Association.
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is awarded the certificate of merit by Seoul Council of Art Museums.
    • Ottchil: Light form Nature, curated by the Coreana Cosmetics Museum is held at Australian Design Centre, Australia. The exhibition was supported by the ‘Traveling Korean Arts’ project of the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange and the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
    • Coreana Cosmetics Museum singed a collaboration agreement with Korea University Museum.
  • 2023
    • Coreana Museum of Art is selected as the excellent institution for the Curatorial Assistant program which is supported by The Korean Art Museum Association in 2023.
    • Coreana Museum of Art’s Curatorial Assistant which is supported by The Korean Art Museum Association is selected as the most valuable staff in 2023.
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is appointed as the director of The Korean Museum Association.
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is appointed as the vice chair of The Korean Art Museum Association.
  • 2022
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok is awarded the achievement award commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Korea essayists association.
    • Coreana Museum of Art is awarded a Commendation by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea.
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok is awarded the “Bogwan” Order of Culture Merit.
    • KOREA: A LAND OF HATS, curated by the Coreana Cosmetics Museum is held at Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Philippines. The exhibition was supported by the “Traveling Korean Arts” project of the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange and the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is appointed as the vice chair of Seoul Council of Art Museums.
  • 2021
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is appointed as the director of Friends of National Museum of Korea(FNMK).
    • Coreana Museum of Art is selected as the representative case of the Curatorial Assistant program which is supported by The Korean Art Museum Association in 2021.
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is appointed as the Members of the Gangnam-gu Lifelong Learning Council, Seoul.
    • Lacquer, Light from Nature curated by the Coreana Cosmetics Museum, is selected as the pool for “Traveling Korean Arts: Visual Arts Programs,” which is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism & the Korea Arts Management Service.
    • Coreana Cosmetics Museum signs MOU with Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute to promote ‘Korean Beauty’ in overseas.
  • 2020
    • Coreana Museum of Art, *c-lab (subject: Interdisciplinary Art) is selected as the representative case of the Korean art museums in 2020.
    • Coreana Museum of Art’s Curatorial Assistant which is supported by The Korean Art Museum Association is selected as the most valuable staff in 2020.
    • Coreana Cosmetics Museum held the collection exhibition at the Cheongyang-gun Museum of Agriculture.
    • Coreana Cosmetics Museum and DAEGU National Museum form a consultative group on Korean Costume Culture.
  • 2019
    • The Korean Museum Association awards Coreana Cosmetics Museum for its contribution to the “Playing in Museums, KB! Mentor for Teens” Program, which is organized by the Korean Museum Association and KB Kookmin Bank.
    • Korea: A Land of Hats, curated by the Coreana Cosmetics Museum is held at Stony Brook University, New York, USA. The exhibition was supported by the “Traveling Korean Arts” project of the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange and the Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
  • 2018
    • Co-director Yu Seung Hee is awarded the 21st “Pride of Museum Professional Prize” by the Korean Museum Association.
    • The Donation Ceremony of Co-director Yu Sang Ok’s donations to the Coreana Cosmetics Co., Ltd. is held.
  • 2017
    • The Land of Hats, curated by the Coreana Cosmetics Museum, is selected as the pool for “Traveling Korean Arts: Visual Arts Programs,” which is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism & the Korea Arts Management Service.
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok donates 4,826 items from his private collection to Coreana Cosmetics Co., Ltd.
  • 2016
    • The “Yu Sang Ok Donation Room” opens in the Baekje History and Culture Experience Museum.
  • 2015
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok donates 209 items including Baekje earthenware to Cheongyang-gun Office (Baekje History and Culture Experience Museum).
  • 2014
    • Deputy Director Yu Seung Hee is appointed as the Co-director of the Coreana Museum of Art and the Coreana Cosmetics Museum (Co-directors: Yu Sang Ok & Yu Seung Hee).
    • Co-director Yu Sang Ok donates 29 items to the Museum of Agriculture (Sanggap-ri, Cheongyang-gun).
    • Inspired by Nature, The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea is held in Tokyo and Osaka; a traveling exhibition by invitation of the Korean Cultural Center in Japan to celebrate the center’s 35th anniversary.
  • 2013
    • Performing Film (1st) and Tell Me Her Story (4th) curated by the Coreana Museum of Art is selected by Art in Culture (Monthly Magazine) & 36 Art Professionals as the “2013 Top Ten Art Exhibitions.”
    • Inspired by Nature, The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea is held in the UK; an exhibition by invitation of the Korean Cultural Center in the UK to celebrate the center’s 5th anniversary.
  • 2010
    • A permanent exhibition space for Yu Sang Ok’s donation opens at the National Museum of Korea.
  • 2009
    • Director Yu Sang Ok is awarded the “Okgwan” Order of Culture Merit.
    • Inspired by Nature, The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea is held in China; an exhibition by invitation to celebrate the 9th China International Fabrics Design Competition and Seminar at Tsinghua University.
    • Director Yu Sang Ok donates 200 items including cosmetics containers to the National Museum of Korea.
  • 2006
    • The Coreana Museum of Art is registered (Seoul No.13).
    • Inspired by Nature, The Traditional Cosmetics of Korea is held in Paris; an exhibition by invitation to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Korea and France.
    • Image Theater, curated by the Coreana Museum of Art is awarded the “Art of the Year” by Arts Council Korea.
    • Deputy Director Yu Seung Hee is awarded the Minister of Culture and Tourism citation.
    • space*c building is nominated as the architecture of the year for the annual “Beautiful Architecture in Gangnam-gu”.
  • 2004
    • The Coreana Cosmetics Museum is registered (Seoul No.6).
  • 2003
    • space*c opens to the public.
  • 1988
    • Coreana Cosmetics Co., Ltd. is founded.


06024 827, Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea T : +82.2.547.9177 | F : +82.2.547.7749

ⓒ 2017 space*c All Rights Reserved.

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