[비즈한국] For some, it was a memory of intense all-nighters; for others, it was a space of revolution that changed the trajectory of their lives. The Samsung Art and Design Institute (SADI), which burst onto the scene in 1995 with the promise of opening new horizons for Korean design, is offering a very special farewell as it marks its 30th anniversary. This comes in the form of 'ANDEX,' an alumni exhibition opening on January 10th.
This exhibition was organized to bring closure to the 30-year history of SADI, which is effectively closing its doors following the suspension of new student recruitment in 2024. At a moment when the physical space of the school is vanishing, alumni have gathered to paradoxically prove the design value and the human legacy it has left behind.
The exhibition title, 'ANDEX,' symbolizes the 'Art & Design (AND)' that remains after stripping away 'Samsung' and 'Institute' from the SADI acronym. It represents the essence of design that remains intact in the lives of individual designers, even after moving beyond the formal frameworks of corporate support or academic degrees.
At the same time, this exhibition carries the dual meaning of being an 'Index' documenting SADI's 30-year achievements, and an 'Exhibition' showcasing the present and future of its alumni, which will continue to unfold based on that legacy.
The exhibition slogan, "It's disappearing. It stands out.", is a tribute from designer Ahn Sang-soo, a symbolic figure in Korean design education, known as 'Nalgae' (Wing). This paradoxical sentence sharply pierces through the fate of SADI—moving beyond the sadness of an institution's extinction to reveal that, by disappearing, its value becomes even more clearly etched into the history of Korean design.
The exhibition features 32 teams of alumni artists and designers who are active at the forefront of the Korean design scene, including Ko Young-in, Lohotype, Park Young-ha, Studio B-Bop, Sparks Edition, Seo Hyo-jung, Lee Hee-bok, mykc, and mr.K (Ko Sang-hyuk). They will demonstrate how the creative solutions they internalized at SADI have evolved in their respective fields, proving through their work that SADI was far more than just an educational institution—it was a massive design community.
The SADI Alumni Association likened the spiritual roots of this exhibition to Germany's 'Bauhaus.' Just as the Bauhaus, despite its short 14-year operation, became the foundation of modern design, they expressed the hope that although SADI is closing its doors after 30 years, it will be continuously talked about through the design legacy its alumni leave in the industry.
An exhibition official stated, "The time we spent at SADI was a form of solidarity that went beyond education," adding, "We hope this exhibition will be a place to remember the countless moments and people who passed through SADI together, and that it may serve as a small catalyst and great inspiration for someone."
Having completed its mission of advancing Korean design education, SADI's final spark—the 'ANDEX' exhibition, destined to remain a legend—will welcome visitors for free from January 10th to the 24th at the SADI Gallery in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.