From Aspen to Seoul, the Design Miami.In Situ Initiative Changes Shape

This Thursday, July 31, Design Miami’s new regionally focused international initiative, In Situ, will host its debut event in Aspen. Aptly named “A Day of Design,” it will encompass a one-day program of design-oriented experiences for Design Miami’s VIP members, curated by Ashlee Harrison and coinciding with Aspen Art Museum’s ArtCrush gala. In addition to a series of creative activations, the event will also include rare opportunities to tour private collections.

In September, Design Miami.In Situ will feel much more expansive. Curated by Hyeyoung Cho, the Chairperson of the Korea Association of Art & Design, the exhibition will run for two weeks in accordance with Frieze Seoul and the Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf). Entitled “Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design” and developed in partnership with Seoul Design Foundation, the comprehensive event will present more than 170 works of Korean collectible design in Dongdaemun Design Plaza—an architectural landmark designed by Zaha Hadid.

“This Design Miami.In Situ exhibition comes at the perfect moment: when Korean culture—spanning music, food, art, design, and craft—is thriving as a global trendsetter,” Cho shared in a statement. “The exhibition will spotlight the trailblazing designers who have opened global doors for the next generation, while also embracing the idea that today, we are all global citizens. I hope that collectors, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world will visit and be inspired by the rich diversity and creativity of Korean design.”

The curation is guided by the interplay between local, traditional craft and contemporary design developments. From the leather woven cases of Dahyeon Yoo to the contrasting sculptural forms of Byung Hoon Choi, a white porcelain ceramic vessel from Dongjun Kim, and a trio of furnishings for an artist’s retreat from Minjae Kim, the selections demonstrate depth and dimension. Galleries include a range of Korean and international leaders, such as Soluna Fine Craft, Marta, Carpenter’s Workshop, Gallery SKLO (Seoul’s only gallery dedicated to contemporary glass), J. Lohmann, SIDE Gallery, Salon 94 Design, and more.