Seoul Hanyang University Museum

February 13, 2024 285 Views

At major universities across Korea, you can find museums. While smaller in scale compared to government-operated museums, university museums offer their share of attractions. Seoul Hanyang University, located near the main building, also operates a museum.

“Seoul Hanyang University Museum”

Hanyang University’s Seoul campus is the only one where you can find a subway station within the campus. Exiting from Exit 2 of Hanyang University Station on Line 2, you can easily enter the university campus. Follow the uphill path to discover the Hanyang University Museum, just a short walk from Exit 2.

The museum consists of five floors, and upon entering from the entrance, you find yourself on the second floor. Like other museums, it features both permanent and special exhibitions. The permanent exhibition covers artifacts from the Paleolithic era to the modern era.

Moreover, on the first floor, you’ll encounter an exhibition on Korea’s first computer, the ENIAC computer, Apple II, typewriters, and more. This includes computers that used 5.25-inch floppy disks, providing a glimpse of electronic devices that are now exclusive to museums.

“Special Exhibition: Pavilion of Healing”

During my visit, a special exhibition titled “Pavilion of Healing” was underway. This exhibition, held as part of the 2023 ‘Creating a Museum Together’ support project, focused on the reinterpretation of East Asian wooden architecture. The Pavilion of Healing, created in collaboration with Professor Kim Jaekyung of the Department of Architecture, was installed in the Open Songhyeon Green Square and Hanyang University campus. The exhibition showcased Professor Kim Jaekyung’s reinterpretation of achievements in East Asian wooden architecture.

The Pavilion of Healing serves as a contemporary pagoda that interprets East Asian wooden architecture with the latest technology. It explores new possibilities for wooden architecture, which, overshadowed by concrete structures for thousands of years, is now making a resurgence. Simultaneously, it acts as a metaphorical structure, subject to individual interpretation—whether perceived as originally intended, resembling primitive African architecture, or recognizing traditional architectural elements reinterpreted in wood. Ultimately, the Pavilion of Healing aims to be a space of repose, inviting diverse interpretations from observers and visitors, responding to the demand for new values in this era.

The special exhibition was displayed for two weeks at Seoul’s Jongno District Open Songhyeon Green Square from May 3 to May 14, and later at Hanyang University’s outdoor space in front of the HIT building, near the grassy field, from May 19 to June 22. This installation aimed to bring a moment of healing to an area that had long been inaccessible to the public and provide a unique blend of nature, architecture, and human interaction.

“Hanyang University Museum Seminar Room”

The museum also houses a seminar room on the second floor, with a capacity of 126 seats. After remodeling in March 2017, it is primarily used for campus tours, career development classes for incoming students, and various other activities.

While not extensive in scale, Hanyang University Museum provides an opportunity to appreciate Korean artifacts. It’s a great place to spend some leisurely time.

“Seoul Wangsimni Hanyang University Museum”