MMCA International Masterworks: Water Lilies and Chandeliers

Name: MMCA International Masterworks: Water Lilies and Chandeliers
Start: 2025-10-02
End: 2027-01-03
Location: Gwacheon

MMCA 해외 명작 : 수련과 샹들리에

This exhibition presents about 40 carefully selected works from the National Museum of Contemporary Art's international collections, functioning as a modern cabinet of curiosities. It combines 19th-century European paintings from the Lee Kun-hee Collection, donated in 2021, with contemporary artworks from around the world. The title pairs Claude Monet's 'Water Lilies' (1917-1920), the Impressionist painter of light, with Ai Weiwei's 'Black Chandelier' (2017-2021), a major contemporary artist, symbolizing how art transcends temporal and cultural boundaries. Spanning a century between these two masterpieces, the exhibition invites visitors to explore connections and dialogues between European and Asian artistic traditions.

Book on the official site

Dates: Oct 2, 2025 → Jan 3, 2027
Venue: Gwacheon · 🌸 Gyeonggi
Price: ₩3,000
Ticketing: Official museum site

Practical information

Exact location: Gwacheon
Organiser: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art / Noru Paint

🎟️ How to book — Official museum site

1
Check opening hours on the museum's official site
Many Korean national museums close one day a week, often Mondays — worth checking before you make the trip.
2
Book a time slot for the most popular exhibitions
The most anticipated temporary exhibitions sometimes limit access to online time-slot reservations, especially on weekends.
3
Permanent collections are often free
Only certain special or temporary exhibitions charge admission — the permanent collection itself is free to enter at most national museums.
4
Book ahead for groups or guided tours
School groups and guided tours generally need to be booked directly with the museum ahead of the visit.

💡 Good to know

Many Korean national museums close one day a week (often Mondays) — check before you go.