Visitors on Sept. 4 on a media tour of this year's Gwangju Biennale view works at the event's exhibition hall in Gwangju's Buk-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Hong Angie

This year's Gwangju Biennale, a major global contemporary art festival, held its opening ceremony on Sept. 4 to begin its 72-day run.

Under the theme "You Must Change Your Life," this year's edition explores the value of change and action through contemporary art, spanning individual lives, society, history and the universe.

Coinciding with a time of transition, namely the launch of Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City, the event is expanding its role as a cultural and artistic platform connecting regional communities with the world by showcasing contemporary art alongside regional cultural assets throughout the city.

The opening ceremony attracted about 500 people including Gwangju Mayor Min Hyeong-bae, Gwangju Biennale Foundation President Youn Bummo and Ho Tzu Nyen, a Singaporean visual artist and curator who is the Biennale's artistic director, as well as figures from art communities at home and abroad including Hans Ulrich Obrist, the Swiss artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, and Clara Kim, senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

"The Gwangju Biennale has spent the past 30 years seeking answers through art to the questions of our times, rooted in the memories of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the spirit of democracy, human rights and peace," Mayor Min said. "I hope this exhibition is an opportunity to broaden our perspectives on humanity and life and open new possibilities for peace."

Through Nov. 15 at Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall in Buk-gu District and other venues across the city, the event has 43 teams from 22 countries participating in a range of programs including the main exhibition and pavilions.

View of exhibition "Flare-Up" by Goldin+Senneby at Gwangju Biennale (Gwangju Biennale Foundation)

shong9412@korea.kr