This may be the only place in the world with outdoor sculptures in a park-like setting and indoor artwork made of cow dung. Haslla Art World creatively combines natural elements with innovative modern art in a 27-acre (109,000-square metre) setting. Enjoy ocean views of sparkling blue waters from a bench overlooking the East Sea. Walk through gardens and seek peace from the calming green sights and pleasant scents.
The Broadleaf Tree Garden has artwork and over 300 varieties of wildflowers and plants scattered along its path—even a human-shaped topiary. The Pine Garden features a wooden walkway, installation art, and, of course, fragrant pine trees. The Time Square combines multiple art forms in one with a centre sculpture serving as a sun clock, surrounded by smaller stones carved with faces. Additionally the sculpture is in a grassy crater providing the experiential art of seeing the horizon as you climb out of the crater. A tunnel within the land art offers changing views of the sky above.
The Ocean Garden leads visitors on a path downward as if descending to the water alongside playful sculptures. The Sky Observatory provides contemplative views and the Amusement Garden is a site for frequent performance art.
Inside, Haslla Art World has the Stone Gallery with its hanging stone and Cow Dung Gallery with hanging…cow dung. Artist Choi Ok-Yeung designed the unique arrangement of animal waste to represent stars floating in the universe and deliver a message about recycling. The Art Shop sells crafts from local artists and frequently features artisan demonstrations.
Haslla Museum Hotel is an artwork in itself, designed as a large, colourful sculpture. Inside, rooms are uniquely decorated with artwork and womb-shaped beds. There are five exhibition areas and its restaurant is an art museum too. The site also has artists in residence, family “edutainment” art sessions, and a festival of performance art in August.
Haslla Art World is open year-round and has an admission fee. Weekend hours start early to greet the sunrise. It is located outside Gangneung, about 40 miles (65 kilometres) south of Sokcho. Taxi from Gangneung takes about 30 minutes.
