Seoul According to: Dooyong Ro of CYLINDER

One of Seoul’s new generation of gallerists, Dooyong Ro founded CYLINDER in 2020, in Gwanka-gu, a hitherto unfashionable quarter of the city. It steadily developed a reputation as one the city’s most forward-looking art spaces, with a varied programme including  performance and installation. Ro opened CYLINDER Two in the more art-orienteted Youngsan in 2023, and the gallery won the Frieze Seoul Stand Prize (jointly with Tina Kim Gallery) the same year.

What’s great about your gallery’s two locations? 

CYLINDER One (C1) is in a bit of a marginalized area of Seoul (Gwanak-gu) and CYLINDER Two (C2) is in the centre of the city (Youngsan-gu). C1 might not be the most accessible due to its location, but it has a  unique vibe as there are no art spaces around it and it feels psychologically far away (although it is actually close to the centre). When CYLINDER started, I was able to show whatever I wanted because it felt far away (as well as being remote to the local people). So I steadily started making something on my own. It built some confidence in me (when I didn’t have much confidence about running a gallery). 

In terms of CYLINDER Two, the location is decent and we get significant footfall. I changed some things I learnt from C1, so it works well as a gallery but a gallery that has a different character. For instance, C1 is a good platform for challenging projects (such as transforming the gallery into a techno club or supporting young artists in the ‘Torque’ programme which is held at C1 every year). C2 is a platform for more established artists or a big project.

What changes have you seen in your neighbourhood(s) in the last few years and in the city in general?

The neighbours from C1 have started showing an interest in art, and kids are coming to the gallery quite often (under-10-year-old kids). As for the area where C2 is, I still need to see because it has only been there a year. In general, the city is evolving, especially when it comes to art. I can 100% say that Frieze has been a big factor that changed people’s minds and their opinions on art (I have been a big fan of Frieze since 2011 when I was doing military service, so this is not just a meaningless compliment!).

What is the ethos of your gallery?

I was an unsuccessful artist once. Before I started CYLINDER, I suffered through hard times because no one was really interested in my work. I gave up after feedback about my boring and futureless works (as I now acknowledge them to have been). Now I have the confidence of being a gallerist, I am willing to work with artists and support them in their long-term vision. The core ethos of CYLINDER is about time and endurance. My role is to maintain CYLINDER as a platform that enables artists and audiences to use their time to go further.

‘I have been a big fan of Frieze since 2011 when I was doing military service.’

You’re showing a solo presentation by Jonghwan Lee at Frieze Seoul this year: what’s exciting about his work?

I have been working with Jonghwan since late 2020 when he had his BFA degree show. He was the first artist in our very important series ‘Torque’, which supports undergraduate students in their early career. In this sense, it has always been a great joy supporting each other, as well as seeing him grow as an artist. I would say I am excited about his work, but I am even more thrilled to be a witness to his journey. Anyway, going back to the work, Jonghwan’s Frieze booth will be quite experimental. The theme of the booth is pinpoint accuracy and the ‘painting’s eye’, which really sums up his work. It has some mathematical features and hints of his future works, too!

Favourite museum or gallery in Seoul?

My favourite museums are Leeum and the Amore Pacific. I love how they organize the shows with their massive exhibition halls. My favourite galleries are PKM Gallery, Whistle and N/A Gallery. They each have their own unique programmes, and their aesthetics been a great inspiration for CYLINDER. (‘OF’ in Euljiro is my favourite space. OF acts as a great mediator in the Korean art scene. But OF is just OF, and not definable as a gallery or alternative space.) 

Last exhibition you went to? 

Minhee Kim’s solo exhibition ‘Berserker’ at Museumhead. I have been following her for a long time and have seen the different axes of her practice, and this exhibition is clearly another axis on her timeline. As another Berserker, Minhee places herself among the figures on screen and translates the energy and her ambivalent feelings about the figures into paintings. I believe this exhibition is a kind of jumping-off point and manifesto for her.

Which emerging artists excite you at the moment? 

Rim Park: she is represented by CYLINDER and started working with me through the second ‘Torque’ series ‘Neutral Steer’, which was held in early 2022. Rim’s practice is rooted in ancient flora. She investigates plants with a microscope and predicts the shape of the future. Her works are romantic but sometimes have apocalyptic touches. 

What’s different about the Seoul art scene from that of other cities (your local scene in particular)?

My career as a gallerist is still short, so it’s hard to answer this kind of question, but it seems like everything [in Korea] is still centred around Seoul. Other cities here definitely have their own hidden charms as art hubs, so it would be nice to see a more balanced art scene. 

Favourite place to eat in your neighbourhood?   

I usually go to Good Son, a Vietnamese restaurant with quite humble prices and a plain interior. It’s also just a one-minute walk from the gallery! 

Best bar near CYLINDER?

There are loads near C2, but I usually go to Hand & Malt (where we have opening receptions), Whisky Hangang (which has a somewhat similar vibe to CYLINDER) or What Is Love (사랑이 뭐길래) – this bar has really good views at night of Yongsan with the Amore Pacific building designed by David Chipperfield.

Best thing about Seoul?

The best thing about Seoul is that everything is very active and happens quickly. If you need something urgently at the crack of dawn there is always a solution somewhere.

Worst thing about Seoul?

The weather: it’s always either very hot or very cold. 

CYLINDER takes part in Frieze Seoul, 4 – 7 September 2024, COEX. 

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^{Main image: CYLINDER 2. Courtesy of CYLINDER}