I’m always on the look out for new and exciting happenings going on in or around Seoul. Either through word of mouth or glimpsing something online I usually stumble upon great things. That’s exactly what happened recently when I asked several friends about any quirky or interesting spots they’d recommend me checking out. One turned me toward Project Monsoon Seoul that occurred a few months ago in Seoul. I’d never heard of it, but he assured me that the whole enterprise not only was ongoing but well worth check out. His description erased any hesitation.
Project Monsoon Seoul gestated as an idea born from the hive mind of a group from the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago. There the creative team collaborated with the company Pantone. The team hit the streets of Seoul with artistic vision in mind and hydrochromic paint (paint that goes from unseen when dry to visible when wet) in hand. A series of murals depicting unexpected Korean cultural themes and customs would blossom under a cloudy rainy sky creating a pleasant surprise for passerby.
One depicts a huge batch of delightful fish frolicking. Another shows off a giant pink whale surrounded by a school of rainbow colored fish. A third follows a stream of fish and bright green turtles. These public works of art provided a spark of levity and cheer amidst a gloomy day. The teams effort resulted in winning the New Blood Black Pencil D&AD award, signifying a promising start for these young designers.
However, as I went in search of this urban jungle phenomena I became increasingly frustrated. I couldn’t find any address, location, or anything about where exactly these streets are located in Seoul. Nothing. Nada. Zippo. So I’m calling on all of you to answer one simple question: Have you Seen Project Monsoon in person? Because I’m really doubting that it exists…. Let me know!
