Starting from scratch in a rundown town: Visiting museums that are boosting the art scene
On the north side of Jeju Island, in an area overlooking the sea, there is a town called Tapdong. It is a cultural hub, with a wide variety of shops.
The landmark of this area is the Arario Museum Taptong Cinema. There are also two other Arario art museums in the town of Dongmun, just a five-minute drive from there.
For over 10 years, it has been a driving force behind the local art scene and bringing out the charm of the town itself. However, "When we first opened, about 10 years ago, there were hardly any people walking around this area," says Kim Ji-wan, vice president of Arario, who is in charge of directing the museum.
"That's why the exterior of the museum is painted entirely red. The red was inspired by the wildflowers that bloomed on the stone walls. It embodies our desire to breathe life into this town, where it seemed as if the lights had gone out, through art."
The red painted exterior walls are the main landmark. 
In front of Warhol's Marilyn Monroe is American Duane Hanson's Flea Market Vendor (1990). 
What does the vessel contain, that the river does not (2012) by Subodh Gupta of India. Exhibited two stories high. 
Vice Chairman and Director Kim Ji-wan in front of a work by founder and Chairman See Kim. 
A huge piece that fills the entire floor: Hero No.2 (2009) by Chinese artist Zhang Huan. The parent and child figures are made from real cowhide.
Arario was originally founded by Jiwan's father, artist and world-renowned art collector See Kim (Kim Chang-il). Following its Seoul location, the company opened Tapdong Cinema in 2014.
Most of the exhibits are from See Kim's collection. In other words, it is a private art museum, but the collection is so comprehensive that it is hard to believe it is the work of a single individual. There are works by sculptor Kohei Nawa, who was commissioned to create a piece for the opening, as well as Andy Warhol's Madonna and video art by Nam June Paik.
"Many of the pieces are from the artists' younger years. They are filled with the initial creative impulses. This is one of the characteristics of the Arario collection."
Motel 1 houses small but impactful works, including works by the Chapman brothers, the mavericks of contemporary art, while Motel 2 is filled with the works of Koo Bon-ju, an artist who made sculptures of Korean father figures and died in his mid-30s.
On the fifth floor there is a statue of the god of knowledge. 
This work by SunpilDON from Korea brings together Japanese soft vinyl figures and figurines. Is this also contemporary art?
A sculpture of a father running at the speed of light and another father looking depressed. 
The dads glow green. In fact, they're all dashing.
The names "Cinema" and "Motel" refer to the former appearance of the buildings: one was a former movie theater, the other a former motel. Both have been renovated to serve as museums, with the structure itself remaining intact.
"It would actually be quicker and cheaper to rebuild it (laughs). But we didn't do that because we wanted to preserve the history unique to this place. We also wanted it to become a symbol of sustainable urban development. Over the past 10 years or so, people have gathered in Tapton, and it has begun to create and disseminate its own unique culture. We hope that people will enjoy not only the museum but the town as a whole."
Yes, the town is important. In fact, Tapton has more to offer than you can experience in one day.
