2026 Seomjin River International Experimental Arts Festival (SIEAF)

The 2026 Seomjingang International Experimental Arts Festival (SIEAF) is an international experimental arts festival held against the backdrop of natural and living spaces in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, including the Seomjingang River, Daehwanggang River, forests, rice paddies, and gardens. The main programs consist of an Archive Exhibition, SIEAF Colloquium, Rice Paddy Fashion Show, the opening program 'WITH Dokkaebi & Toad', Movement Healing Workshop, Oxygen Concert, and Flower Parade. The SIEAF Archive Exhibition is a concept exhibition utilizing various records from the 2025 festival and rural-related objects, serving as a warm-up program to welcome the 2026 SIEAF with local residents. SIEAF Colloquium is a discourse program held at the Bitmaru Center, featuring presentations and discussions on themes such as the history and legends of the Seomjingang River, the role of rural leaders, and the creation of glocal rural culture through art. Participants include the Gokseong Cultural Center, rural researchers, local activists, and art professionals, engaging in informal discussions for the coexistence of rural utopia and art utopia. The Rice Paddy Fashion Show is a rural-friendly program that uses rice paddies as a stage during the harvest season. It showcases costumes made from natural materials and inspired by local agricultural products, featuring fashion shows and performances involving local residents, children, senior models, artists, and local cultural and arts organizations. The opening program 'WITH Dokkaebi & Toad' is a performance program held at Amlok Amusement Park, where the Seomjingang and Daehwanggang rivers meet. Based on the Dokkaebi (goblin) legends of Gokseong and the image of the toad, it includes life rituals, Dokkaebi rituals, media art, world music, dance, Butoh, traditional Korean 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 modern artistic ritual performance praying for a bountiful harvest and the well-being of residents. The Oxygen Concert and Movement Healing Workshop are meditation and healing concerts held in the Mugeun Forest of Okgwa. The Movement Healing Workshop consists of body opening, body observation, movements in contact with nature, movements to find individual rhythms, and dances of connection. The Oxygen Concert is a program with a natural-ecological orientation, combining the natural sounds of the forest with acoustic performances, singing bowls, vocal music, Bara dance, performance art, meditation, and installation art, providing a time to resonate as part of nature. The Flower Parade is an art parade program at the Seomjingang Fairy Tale Garden involving artists, residents, local clubs, and visitors. It includes processions and performances using costumes and props, as well as flower-mediated experience programs and workshops, with installation art, music, dance, juggling, harmonica, and singing bowl programs welcoming the audience.