Cho Min Young is currently working as a curator at Gwangju Juan Art Museum while pursuing a PhD in Cultural Studies at Chonnam National University. Her experience spans art, architecture, design, and urban culture through her involvement with institutions such as the Gwangju Cultural Foundation, Gwangju Able Art Week, the National Asian Cultural Complex, and the Gwangju Biennale. Cho Min Young played a key role in the conception and execution of Gwangju Folly Randonnée. In this Re:Folly public program, her research themes and passion for “cultural walking” were realized together with the citizens of Gwangju. The initiative connected cultural resources, once distant from everyday life, with citizens’ daily walks, offering an enriched experience of urban culture. As a Gwangju native, Cho infused Gwangju Folly Randonnée with a deep affection for her city and an understanding of its historical and cultural context. This approach resonated with participants, garnering their empathy and enthusiasm.
Urban Collabo
Led by CEO Lee Yumi, Urban Collabo develops creative content by leveraging cultural research and local resources based on its public art network. Executing diverse projects such as public art, exhibition planning, and cultural festivals, Urban Collabo specializes in artistic content that shares cultural value and fosters communal empathy. Team director Cho Sungho led the coordination of the first phase of Gwangju Folly Promenade, carrying out designs based on the wooden structure of Breathing Folly.
IUM Architects Lee Wonkyu
IUM Architects planned and executed the second phase of Gwangju Folly Promenade and also provided design support and consultation for Urushi Shell. Led by Principal Architect Lee Wonkyu, IUM Architects has a background in Architecture’s Non-standard Design Research Team, the Asia Culture Development Institute, etc. With a focus on non-standard and digital architectural processes, Lee has taught related courses at universities for over ten years. Having realized several non-standard projects in Gwangju, he primarily undertakes small to medium-sized, high-design quality projects. Gwangju Folly Promenade was unique in that it involved diverse consultations, site visits, contractor selection, material design reviews, custom fabrication, and installation. It encompassed not only public design but also production and construction, differing from typical design projects. For Ito Toyo’s Urushi Shell, he served as the local architect, offering the necessary support. The process of collaboration with contractors, especially in the design of the pavement blocks and graphic pads—exchanging ideas during the installation—was particularly memorable.
IUM Architects Kim Deoksul
Kim Deoksul is a manager at IUM Architects, working alongside architect Lee Wonkyu since the firm’s inception. For Gwangju Folly Promenade, he was responsible for external negotiations, site coordination, and presentations. Although a small project, mediating the various details and stakeholders was challenging. The signage work, in particular, required balancing the design with budget constraints to ensure it could be implemented. Kim prepared materials to share with various stakeholders and maintained regular communication to avoid misunderstandings. During the installation, he was on-site, building rapport with the construction team, and even assisting with hammering. Understanding the materials, methods, and production processes of the signage as well as experiencing the construction process was of great personal value.
Gwangju Folly-UAUS: Partners for Earth
UAUS (Union of Architecture University Students) is an independent alliance of university architecture students that has been designing and building pavilions since 2012. As of 2024, it is composed of architecture departments from 25 universities nationwide and has successfully opened its 13th exhibition.
With Design for Deconstruction as the theme for the 12th UAUS, it partnered with Re:Folly to explore the common themes of architectural lifecycle and circularity. From design and production to disposal and recycling, through pavilion exhibitions and material labs. The 2023 UAUS planning team was led by Jung Wang-gi, Kim Joun, Lee Suji, Kim Hyo-in, Hyeon Y-rim, and Chung Se-young. Over 400 students from 22 universities, including Kyonggi University, Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Kwangwoon University, Kookmin University, Dankook University, Dongguk University, Myongji University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Sahmyook University, Sun Moon University, University of Seoul, Sejong University, Soongsil University, Ajou University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, University of Incheon, Chonnam National University, Chosun University, Chung-Ang University, Hanyang University, and Hanyang University ERICA. During the process of this challenging theme, architects and experts involved in Re:Folly—Cho Namho of Soltozibin; Jeon Jinhong and Choi Yoonhee of BARE; the team of Assemble, BC, Atelier LUMA; Chen Qin Ye and Takatsuka Nobuaki from Toyo Ito's office; Kanada Mitsuhiro from Tokyo University of the Arts; and Kim Hyeong Ki from Chosun University—provided critiques to UAUS students and collaborated in material labs to help their issues with design, materials, and details.
The completed student pavilions were initially exhibited at Seoul City Hall Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square and later installed at the Asia Culture Center in November 2023 as part of the Re:Folly public program. The pavilions were later dismantled and transformed into materials such as compost for local farms and public programs in collaboration with Gwangju Folly and local wheat, hence sharing the final stage of their lifecycle with the citizens of Gwangju. The collaboration between Gwangju Folly and UAUS provided students with specific directions and implementation methods for their aspirations toward architectural circularity.