Exploring Transience in a Seoul Building’s Final Days
In Seoul‘s Sinsa-dong district, a vacant building scheduled for demolition has become the stage for an innovative art exhibition titled “GHOST BARSTAIRS.” This event, known for its unique installation, is presented by design Studio Sukchulmok and Artist Kangyeon Lee. The event transforms the building’s bare reinforced-concrete skeleton into a dynamic exhibition space. The show examines the relationship between the building’s past utility and its undefined future.

Materials Reimagined: The Ghost Barstairs Installation and Timber and Steel Sculptures
At the heart of the exhibition is a striking installation by Studio Sukchulmok. A semicircular structure combines timber and steel, showcasing numerical proportions and the tactile qualities of stone, steel, and wood. This centerpiece serves as a contemporary anchor within the raw concrete environment, marking an exploration of spatial boundaries.
For another artistic transformation, explore how Nicholas Galanin’s optical illusion reshaped the St. Louis Gateway Arch with a monumental installation.

Capturing Stories of Consumption and Identity
Kangyeon Lee builds on his past labor experiences to craft sculptures that delve into themes of alienation and anonymity. Using materials like metal and plastic, these sculptural works reflect cycles of consumption and forgetting within a stark setting. The art installation provides a haunting contrast to the exposed architecture.

Design Interventions in an Urban Context
A thought-provoking addition by BRBB design practice takes root in the basement. Plywood panels are carefully arranged, curving and leaning against each other to create self-sustaining forms. These elements subvert traditional notions of partitions, proposing a new spatial dialogue within the unfinished shell.

As the building transitions towards its next phase, “GHOST BARSTAIRS” and its featured elements invite viewers to ponder the ephemeral nature of space and identity. This temporary gathering of artworks documents a unique intersection of past and future, poised delicately in a moment of architectural indeterminacy.
Similarly, the reuse of architectural spaces is seen in Uzbekistan’s first contemporary art hub which revitalizes a historic tram depot with new artistic expressions.










Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of the GHOST BARSTAIRS exhibition?
The GHOST BARSTAIRS exhibition transforms a soon-to-be-demolished building into a dynamic art space, examining the relationship between the building’s past utility and its undefined future.
Who are the artists behind the GHOST BARSTAIRS event?
The GHOST BARSTAIRS event is presented by design Studio Sukchulmok and Artist Kangyeon Lee.
What materials are used in the GHOST BARSTAIRS installation?
The installation utilizes materials like timber, steel, stone, and wood, combining them in a semicircular structure to explore spatial boundaries.