GWANGJU FOLLY TOWN 

The decision a while ago to make a series of follies in Gwangju was a courageous and experimental first step. Some have become highly successful, like the lifted band designed by Juan Herreros that helped to raise attention about a neglected part of the city, turning it into a highly used area afterwards. There are also the stairs to the city’s Green Corridor, designed by Seung H-Sang, which functions as a small culture center. The follies are a phenomenon that no other city has developed. Thus, they are able to make the city of Gwangju sexier, more attractive, and more widely known. This now starts to come down to one thing other cities don’t have: a Folly Town. 

FOLLY RESEARCH 

Concentrating on the old city of Gwangju, a series of research initiatives has been undertaken. By comparing Gwangju to other cities in Korea and around the world, its strengths and weaknesses have been evaluated. Gwangju, for instance, seems less walkable than other cities, and has insufficient public transportation. It is less bikeable, less attractive for tourists, has fewer green spaces, and is less cool in the summer than other cities. In addition, it is less energy independent and features fewer libraries, exhibitions, theatres, sports venues, playgrounds, and urban events than many cities.

THE “I LOVE” STREET FOLLY 

Jebong-ro 82 (Seosuk Elementary School, 26, Jebong-ro 82 beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju) will be closed for traffic. In collaboration with Seoseok Elementary School, a series of their requests has been explored. That has led to multiple different pavements that can be used for sitting, painting, jumping on trampolines, and playing in the sand. By shaping these pavements in a series of letters, a true text appears, indicating people’s love for many things through ‘I LOVE’. At the same time, a neutral square space at the end of the text is maintained for everyone’s personal use, and it can even be painted and adapted like a canvas. I LOVE can thus become I LOVE KOREA, I LOVE WALKING, I LOVE THE MAYOR, I LOVE GWANGJU, or I LOVE YOU, for example. This text can be seen from a special tribute spot at the beginning of the street. This tribute also provides access to a platform that is five meters high, with a bench and a table. From here, the gardens can be viewed and a selfie can be taken. The chalkboard space is transformed into a dance floor every evening with special lights, while love songs from Jeroen Kooijmans will be played to get people dancing – I LOVE DANCING!