With more than 60 events annually, there¡¯s no clear-cut model for how to successfully launch yet another art fair in South Korea. The newest addition to the roster, Art OnO in Seoul, went with a blended approach.

Founded by 33-year-old art collector JaeMyung Noh, the three-day event featured a modest number of 36 participating galleries from 15 countries, and employed an ambitious yet straightforward way to interconnect the capital¡¯s gallery scene, drawing fairgoers to many of the city¡¯s most prominent contemporary art spaces.

Art OnO took place from April 19 to 21 at the Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention (SETEC) center in the Gangnam district, under the on-the-nose ethos ¡°young and fresh, but classy.¡± The theme reflects Noh¡¯s vision of blending contemporary vibrancy with classical reverence in an intimate three-hall setting, with booths adjacent to such casual spots as a gourmet hot dog restaurant, an upscale soft serve ice cream parlor and an artisanal coffee shop where attendees could decompress.