Seomjinggang Interntional Experimental Arts Festvial

The 2026 Seomjingang International Experimental Arts Festival is an international experimental arts festival held on the stage of the nature and living spaces of the region, including the Seomjingang River, Daehwanggang River, forests, rice paddies, and gardens in Gokseong, Jeonnam. The main programs consist of an archive exhibition, SIEAF colloquium, rice paddy fashion show, opening program 'WITH Dokkaebi & Toad', movement healing workshop, oxygen concert, and flower parade.
The SIEAF Archive Exhibition is a concept exhibition using various records from the 2025 Seomjin River International Experimental Arts Festival and rural-related objects, and is a priming program to welcome the 2026 SIEAF together with local residents.
The SIEAF Colloquium is a discourse program held at Bitmaru Center, featuring presentations and discussions on topics such as the history and folklore of the Seomjin River, the role of rural community leaders, and building glocal rural culture through art. Participants including the Gokseong Cultural Center, rural researchers, local activists, and art professionals engage in open-ended discussions for the coexistence of rural utopia and art utopia.
The Rice Paddy Path Fashion Show is a rural-friendly program that uses rice paddy paths as a stage space during the season when rice ripens. It presents costumes made from natural materials and costumes inspired by local agricultural specialties, and consists of a fashion show and performances in which local residents, children, senior models, artists, and local cultural and arts organizations participate.
The opening program 'WITH Dokkaebi & Toad' is a performance program held at Amnok Recreation Area, where the Seomjin River and Daehwang River converge. Based on the dokkaebi folklore and toad imagery passed down in Gokseong, it features Saengmyeonggut, Dokkaebigut, media art, world music, dance, butoh, Korean traditional music, percussion, vocal music, installation art, and drone performances. Dokkaebi rice collected through resident participation is made into alcohol and rice cakes to be shared among artists, residents, and visitors, leading to a contemporary artistic ritual performance wishing for gratitude for the harvest and the well-being of residents.
The Oxygen Concert and Movement Healing Workshop are concerts of meditation and healing held in Okgwa and Mugeun Forest. The Movement Healing Workshop consists of warming up the body, observing the body, movements that connect with nature, movements to find one's personal rhythm, and a dance of connection. The Oxygen Concert is a program with a nature-ecological orientation that combines the natural sounds of the forest with acoustic performances, singing bowls, vocal music, bara dance, performance art, meditation, installation art, and more, providing time to resonate as part of nature.
The Flower Parade is an art parade program at the Seomjingang Fairy Tale Garden in which artists, residents, local clubs, and visitors participate together. It includes a procession and performances using costumes and props, as well as flower-themed experience programs and workshops, and programs such as installation art, music, dance, juggling, harmonica, and singing bowls welcome the audience.

Program

1. Festival Archive Exhibition
- Period: 9/22–10/30 11:00–20:00
- Venue: Gallery Cafe Nangman Gaok
2. 2026 SIEAF Colloquium
- Period: 10/06 15:00-17:00
- Location: Bitmaru Center
3. Rice Paddy Fashion Show
- Period: 10/10 15:00-17:00
- Venue: Misillan
- Side events and programs: Artist·Senior·Children Scarecrow Art Fashion Show / Dokkaebi Rice Collection Relay
4. With Dokkaebi & Toad
- Period: 10/23 17:00–21:00
- Venue: Gokseong Amnok Recreation Area Special Stage
- Side events and programs: SIEAF Opening Performance
5. Oxygen Concert
- Period: 10/24 11:00-16:00
- Venue: Okkwa Mukeunsup
- Side events and programs: Movement Healing Workshop
6. Flower Road Parade
- Period: 10/25 13:00-17:00
- Venue: Seomjin River Fairy Tale Garden
- Side events and programs: Flower parade experience event, flea market, parade prop-making workshop