In anticipation of the evolving landscape of art, culture, and the creative industry amid technological advancements in the ASEAN-Korea region, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Korea, in collaboration with the ASEAN-KOREA Partnership Project for Innovative Culture (PIC) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), organized a special event to celebrate the changes in art, culture, and the creative industry amidst technological developments in the ASEAN-Korea region. This event, held in collaboration with IndoArtNow, featured a series of activities, including the ASEAN-KOREA Innovative Culture Forum and the 2023 ASEAN-KOREA Innovative Culture Exhibition.

Forum: Perseverance - Creativity on the Border

The ASEAN-KOREA Innovative Culture Forum, themed "PERSEVERANCE: CREATIVITY ON THE BORDER," took place on November 15-16, 2023, at Teater Wahyu Sihombing, Taman Ismail Marzuki. The forum, inaugurated by Jung Kilhwa, President of the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), served as the highlight of the event. Over two days, participants discussed various issues, including the response of artists, designers, and creators to advanced AI, the creative industry's contribution to solving environmental problems, and the crucial role of creative thinking in shaping a better future.

The discourse on the development of Contemporary Art in Southeast Asia became significant in the mid-1990s, particularly in international art events in the Asia-Pacific region. The ASEAN-KOREA Innovative Culture Exhibition aimed to map and connect the artistic developments of ASEAN-Korea, emphasizing the dynamics of cultural exchange and regional identity.

Exhibition: Perseverance - Art Crossing Borders

The "2023 ASEAN-KOREA Innovative Culture Exhibition: PERSEVERANCE: ART CROSSING BORDERS" ran for 13 days, from November 14 to 25, 2023. This exhibition, in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center and Art:1 New Museum, showcased artworks from ASEAN-Korea, connecting the artistic developments in both regions. The exhibition took center stage during the Art Jakarta event on November 17-19, 2023, with the same theme "PERSEVERANCE: ART CROSSING BORDERS."

The exhibition at Art:1 New Museum, from November 14 to 25, 2023, featured 21 artworks from 14 artists and collectors from ASEAN-Korea. This exhibition highlighted the intricate dynamics of cultural exchange and the formation of regional identity in ASEAN-Korea. Art Jakarta, held on November 17-19, 2023, showcased over 20 artworks from 10 art galleries from ASEAN-Korea, further strengthening cultural ties and artistic exchange between the two regions.

The ASEAN-KOREA Innovative Culture Forum and Exhibition mark a significant step forward in the enduring cultural and creative partnership between ASEAN and Korea. With the theme "Perseverance," these events motivate artists and professionals in the creative industry to continue evolving, innovating, and embracing change to create a better future. Addressing challenges such as AI integration, environmental concerns, and socio-political issues with perseverance becomes a driving force for the growth of the ASEAN-Korea creative industry.