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Inside the Busan Biennale 2026 Opening Ceremony: A Guide to “Dissident Chorus”

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Written and Photographed by: Cho Min-gyeong, 6th Batch of GoBoogi Creators

At 5 PM on Friday, August 28, Busan Biennale 2026 officially opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan. A day before the exhibition opened, participating artists, exhibition organizers, and figures from the cultural and art communities in Korea and abroad gathered at the museum. The evening went beyond the official opening ceremony, with a preview of major works followed by a reception. So, what was opening night like? Let’s step inside Busan Biennale 2026.

This year’s theme is “Dissident Chorus,” presented over 65 days from August 29 to November 1 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan, Space OneZ, and the former Busan Nam High School. Led by co-artistic directors Evelyn Simons and Amal Khalaf, the exhibition brings together 46 artists and teams from 22 countries.

Opening with a Chorus

The opening ceremony began with a celebratory performance by the Yeongdo-gu Women's Choir. Hearing so many individual voices come together as one felt particularly fitting for this year’s theme, “Dissident Chorus.”

After the performance, the VIPs were introduced before Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo officially declared Busan Biennale 2026 open.

Co-artistic directors Evelyn Simons and Amal Khalaf then took the stage to explain the exhibition’s direction and the questions at the center of this year’s Biennale. Participating artists were also introduced, bringing together artists from Korea and around the world in one place. Watching them greet one another made the Biennale’s international character especially apparent.

The ceremony concluded with a commemorative photo session featuring the VIPs, co-artistic directors, and participating artists. By the final group photo, everyone was raising a fist toward the camera, bringing the ceremony from its relatively formal beginning to a much more upbeat close.

When an Exhibition Becomes Something You Hear

After the official ceremony, I joined co-artistic directors Evelyn Simons and Amal Khalaf for a tour of some of the major works at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan. The first thing that struck me as I entered the galleries was the sound. Unlike the quiet setting of a conventional art exhibition, the galleries were filled with music, voices, and repeating rhythms.

As I moved through the dimly lit galleries, projections played across the walls and floors while installations surrounded me. It felt as though I had stepped into the artworks themselves. Throughout the Biennale, sound becomes a material in its own right. Through installations, performances, video, sculpture, and song, the exhibition presents memories of bodies and collectives in new ways.

A Lasting Impression: Ryu Sung-sil’s Ten Thousand Dreams

One work that especially stood out on opening day was Ryu Sung-sil’s Ten Thousand Dreams.
The sight of several figures positioned at different heights on a red lift was striking from the start. As music played, the figures appeared to sing together like a chorus, creating a scene that felt strangely familiar yet unsettling.

The work takes a distinctive look at the social pressure to keep dreaming, achieving, and moving forward. At first, its playful appearance caught my attention. The longer I watched, however, the more it made me wonder what we are all constantly striving toward.

From Gestures and Hats to the Sounds of Protest

Paintings and sculptures are only part of the story here. Everyday gestures and sounds we might normally overlook also become part of the exhibition’s artistic language.

The forms of expression varied widely, from works documenting the hand movements and gestures of countless people to hats bearing inscribed phrases and installations evoking protest culture and music. Watching seemingly unrelated images and voices come together in the same space to create new meaning, I gradually began to understand why the exhibition is called “Dissident Chorus.”

When the Gallery Becomes Part of the Art

At Busan Biennale 2026, taking in the entire space felt just as important as focusing on any single work.
Each gallery had its own character. Videos looped across large screens, reflections spilled onto the floor, drums and microphones glowed under red light, while drawings stretched along the walls.

Rather than reading a description and moving straight to the next room, I found it worth stopping for a moment to listen to what was happening around me. Some sounds only became noticeable after a while. Others drifted in from neighboring galleries and overlapped, creating unexpected moments within the exhibition. Busan Biennale 2026 ultimately felt less like an exhibition you simply look at and more like one you experience by watching, listening, and moving through the space.

Three Venues Stretching from the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan to Yeongdo

Busan Biennale 2026 extends beyond the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan. The Biennale stretches across three venues, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan on Eulsukdo Island, Space OneZ in Yeongdo, and the former Busan Nam High School, which remained in use as a school until earlier this year.

Each distinct setting—Eulsukdo Island, where the Nakdonggang River meets the sea; Yeongdo, which retains traces of its port history; and a school its students have left behind—interacts with the artworks to create new stories. Rather than seeing everything in a single venue, this year’s Biennale takes you across Busan, allowing the exhibition to continue as you move from one site to the next.

Following the Sound of “Dissident Chorus” Through Busan

Contemporary art does not always reveal itself at first glance. At Busan Biennale 2026, rather than searching for a single right interpretation, I found it more rewarding to follow the sound, slow down, and spend a little longer with the works that drew me in.

If you’re looking for a different kind of cultural experience in Busan this fall, I recommend going beyond the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan. Take the free shuttle to the two venues in Yeongdo and experience the Biennale across all three locations.

Q&A

Q1. What is the best way to visit all of the Busan Biennale 2026 venues?

A free shuttle bus connects the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan, Space OneZ, and the former Busan Nam High School throughout the exhibition period, except on days when the venues are closed. Buses depart from the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 4:30 PM, from Space OneZ at 12 PM and 3 PM, and from the former Busan Nam High School at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM.

Q2. Are guided tours available at Busan Biennale 2026?

Yes. Guided tours are available at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan and the former Busan Nam High School on a first-come, first-served basis, with no advance reservation required.

Overview

Address
- Museum of Contemporary Art Busan: 1191 Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
- Space OneZ: 214 Bongnaenaru-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
- Former Busan Nam High School: 5 Jungnibuk-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
Hours
- Exhibition: Aug. 29–Nov. 1, 2026 (65 days)
- Hours: 10 AM–6 PM
- Last Admission: Museum of Contemporary Art Busan & Former Busan Nam High School: 5 PM / Space OneZ: 5:30 PM
- Closed: Every Monday (open as usual during Chuseok and public holidays)
Service Fees
- Museum of Contemporary Art Busan: Adults KRW 16,000 / Youth, Military and Police Personnel KRW 8,000 / Children KRW 5,000
- Space OneZ: Free
- Former Busan Nam High School: Free