The Incheon City History Museum, under the auspices of the Incheon Metropolitan City, will be hosting a citizen-oriented lecture series titled "Urban Empathy - Modern Incheon Through Art" starting from May 22nd.

This lecture series aims to explore the landscape of Incheon, a city that began as an open port, through the works of both domestic and international painters, and to examine its significance in art history.

The opening of Incheon Port marked the starting point of Korean modernity and cultural exchange. Within the diverse cultural milieu of Incheon, a unique trend emerged where Eastern and Western art forms converged, a phenomenon that later spread to Seoul and other regions.

The genesis of modern art in Incheon can be traced back to artists who originated from 'Wiseong Sasuk (意誠私塾),' a private art education institution run by Kim Byung-hoon. Prominent Incheon artists such as Woo Hyun Go Yu-seop, Jo Byeok-ga, Park Jung-ja, Jung Gyu-sung, Kim Jong-taek, Choi Bong-rae, and Oh Gwi-suk played pivotal roles in this artistic movement. Go Yu-seop, in particular, is renowned as a pioneering art historian and critic who significantly contributed to the understanding and development of modern art in Korea. His association with Wiseong Sasuk highlights the institution's importance in nurturing early modern artists in the region.

The lectures will primarily focus on the artworks of Korean and international painters who depicted Incheon from its opening as a port through the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War. The sessions are scheduled to take place every Thursday at 2 PM, from May 22nd to June 12th, and are open to all interested citizens free of charge. Those wishing to participate can register from April 24th to May 16th through the Incheon Metropolitan City Museum's integrated website, by phone, or by visiting in person.

This lecture series is expected to provide valuable insights into the historical and artistic significance of Incheon as a gateway to modernity in Korea, offering a unique perspective on the city's evolution through the lens of art.

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