© Choi Yongjoon
Gift Shop for Grown-Ups, KioskKiosk
The best kind of gifts are the ones that you don’t have to have in your life, but would still enrich and embellish your day if you do. So I headed to ‘KioskKiosk’ to find a present for myself. For your information, being pretty doesn’t mean being useless.
KioskKiosk Exploration Guide
A colorful world unfolds as you walk through the glass door. From glittering rings made with beads and structural clothing to ceramic vases, notebooks, and pencils, the space is filled with small and big merchandise that grab your attention and nudge impulse buys. At KioskKiosk, the boundary between merchandise and non-merchandise is not clear. Plates on which accessories are displayed and wooden cabinets on which flower vases are placed all belong to sellable items that are created by designers and artists. They are arranged in a way to accentuate their design and function so you naturally think of how the items will be, once brought into your life. You lose all track of time while surveying each ‘kiosk’ of designers that serves as a white canvas to be filled with unique, multi-colored works. You can see that time has passed only through the different look of Seoul Forest on the other side of the glass-panel window.
KioskKiosk is a local platform for design, art, and culture and a shop where creative tools and stationery as well as inspirational works and books are sold. Graphic designer Min Jinah opened the space following her ‘Pencil Kiosk’ project. She featured various types of pencils that she had collected from around the world with a belief that “Anyone can do creative works with just a pencil.” That’s how KioskKiosk started. Today a stationery corner displaying pencils, erasers, and notepads is a big part of the shop. To better explore KioskKiosk, we interviewed CEO Min Jinah, who introduces herself as a manager and is actually in charge of business operation, marketing, design, planning, and MD.
© Choi Yongjoon
“I want KioskKiosk to play more than just the role of a shop featuring independent artists and cultural creators and selling their works or merchandise, and become a place where local people can feel a creative energy right in their neighborhood.”
Q. What does the name ‘Kiosk’ mean? It’s interesting that there is no space between the repeated words.
A. In Turkish, the word ‘kiosk’ means a small stand-alone pavilion. In Europe and Japan, it means a temporary vendor or stand. So I combined the original definition of an independent, temporary, or makeshift store with what I want for the shop to become as well as the meaning of the local art and design scene where diverse creative attempts are made. ‘KioskKiosk’ was initially ‘Kiosk in Kiosk’ from such hope that new and various kiosks would exist within a kiosk that makes new and various attempts.
Q. In preparing for the opening of KioskKiosk, where did you pay most attention to?
A. I wanted the shop to be not just a commercial outlet but a place where local people can experience various design and art genres and get their creative juices to flow. Through workshops and exhibitions at KioskKiosk, I want the public and cultural consumers to meet new artists and creators and gain inspirations and energy for their own creative work and daily life.
A. In Turkish, the word ‘kiosk’ means a small stand-alone pavilion. In Europe and Japan, it means a temporary vendor or stand. So I combined the original definition of an independent, temporary, or makeshift store with what I want for the shop to become as well as the meaning of the local art and design scene where diverse creative attempts are made. ‘KioskKiosk’ was initially ‘Kiosk in Kiosk’ from such hope that new and various kiosks would exist within a kiosk that makes new and various attempts.
Q. In preparing for the opening of KioskKiosk, where did you pay most attention to?
A. I wanted the shop to be not just a commercial outlet but a place where local people can experience various design and art genres and get their creative juices to flow. Through workshops and exhibitions at KioskKiosk, I want the public and cultural consumers to meet new artists and creators and gain inspirations and energy for their own creative work and daily life.
© Choi Yongjoon
Q. What’s your criteria for merchandise?
A. Each item is part of our merchandise as we sell it, but it is also an extension of the ongoing project that conveys the creator’s concerns and ideas. I constantly ask what should be included in the art or design category which falls within the affordable range for the public, instead of high art that only a few can have access to. What KioskKiosk carries is something that delivers ‘fresh’ inspirations.
Q. Through KioskKiosk, we were able to experience the works of independent design studios, designers, artists, and creators more easily in the form of merchandise.
A. KioskKiosk merchandise can be largely categorized into inspirational creations, inspirational books, and creative tools. Inspirational creations consist of limited editions by artists and handicraft works. These help our own creative works and give inspirations in our life. Inspirational books offer publications by independent publishers such as ‘Workroom,’ ‘Propaganda,’ ‘Mediabus.’ and ‘URSULA Press’ on the theme of design, art, and culture. Lastly, creative tools highlight various stationery products that can be used for expressing ideas and leaving ‘mark’ for the purpose of creation.
A. Each item is part of our merchandise as we sell it, but it is also an extension of the ongoing project that conveys the creator’s concerns and ideas. I constantly ask what should be included in the art or design category which falls within the affordable range for the public, instead of high art that only a few can have access to. What KioskKiosk carries is something that delivers ‘fresh’ inspirations.
Q. Through KioskKiosk, we were able to experience the works of independent design studios, designers, artists, and creators more easily in the form of merchandise.
A. KioskKiosk merchandise can be largely categorized into inspirational creations, inspirational books, and creative tools. Inspirational creations consist of limited editions by artists and handicraft works. These help our own creative works and give inspirations in our life. Inspirational books offer publications by independent publishers such as ‘Workroom,’ ‘Propaganda,’ ‘Mediabus.’ and ‘URSULA Press’ on the theme of design, art, and culture. Lastly, creative tools highlight various stationery products that can be used for expressing ideas and leaving ‘mark’ for the purpose of creation.
Q. What did you prioritize in building the offline venue in Seongsu-dong?
A. I wanted to introduce works and merchandise of new genres. So there are furniture pieces that serve as focal points in a room. Cabinets at KioskKiosk are made by ‘Jeonsan System’ and our customers can place an order if they like how they are used in the shop. We also receive product inquiries or suggestions. If the first retail venue, which no longer exists, focused on presenting diverse designs and merchandise, the second venue is geared toward exploring local, independent cultural content including ceramic and glass objects, furniture, clothing, and jewelry.
Q. How do you want your customers to remember KioskKiosk?
A. I want it to be remembered as an ‘entertaining place.’
A. I wanted to introduce works and merchandise of new genres. So there are furniture pieces that serve as focal points in a room. Cabinets at KioskKiosk are made by ‘Jeonsan System’ and our customers can place an order if they like how they are used in the shop. We also receive product inquiries or suggestions. If the first retail venue, which no longer exists, focused on presenting diverse designs and merchandise, the second venue is geared toward exploring local, independent cultural content including ceramic and glass objects, furniture, clothing, and jewelry.
Q. How do you want your customers to remember KioskKiosk?
A. I want it to be remembered as an ‘entertaining place.’
Top 4 Gifts Recommended by KioskKiosk
Kismet series by Seoul Metal
“Jewelry by Seoul Metal creates a sensation that you are carrying around an object of art. The ‘Kismet’ line is also like that. It makes you feel special.” KioskKiosk features jewelry pieces designed by Seoul Metal, which does not have an offline presence. The plate under the set of earrings is ‘Mosaic Tray, Square’ by Eastsmoke.
Mint Mushroom by Nightfruiti
“This is a small container shaped like a mushroom. It’s one of Nightfruiti’s ceramic object series. It highlights the unique design of Nightfruiti using the glazing technique.” Nightfruiti is a ceramic craft brand run by ceramic artist Kim Sora. No two products are the same as the artist handles the entire process from design, kneading, and glazing by herself. The mushroom container is great for storing small, valuable items.
“Jewelry by Seoul Metal creates a sensation that you are carrying around an object of art. The ‘Kismet’ line is also like that. It makes you feel special.” KioskKiosk features jewelry pieces designed by Seoul Metal, which does not have an offline presence. The plate under the set of earrings is ‘Mosaic Tray, Square’ by Eastsmoke.
Mint Mushroom by Nightfruiti
“This is a small container shaped like a mushroom. It’s one of Nightfruiti’s ceramic object series. It highlights the unique design of Nightfruiti using the glazing technique.” Nightfruiti is a ceramic craft brand run by ceramic artist Kim Sora. No two products are the same as the artist handles the entire process from design, kneading, and glazing by herself. The mushroom container is great for storing small, valuable items.
Two Handled Cup/Vase in Melemele by Line and Segment
“Line and Segment made this ‘Two Handled Cup/Vase.’ The soft surface was the result of fine-grinding the ceramic exterior after baking it at a high temperature. ‘Melemele’ means the color yellow in Hawaiian.” Line and Segment is a studio run by ceramic artist Kim Minseon. Known for her structural aesthetics, Kim’s works are functional and pleasing to the eye.
Objects by Bright Room
“It’s the ‘Maeil Diary’ series by ceramics studio Bright Room located in Mangwon-dong. Daily journals are transformed into a form of ceramic object.” Only one object is made for each design, and has a title like ‘I really do love you’ or ‘feel pretty’ as if it’s taken from the journal. You may select an object that has a title suitable for your mood that day. These unique ‘Maeil Diary’ objects can be used to hold incense sticks.
Vase by Shall We Dance
The transparent, wavy object pictured against the sky blue backdrop is a vase from the Blankwind series by Shall We Dance. “Shall We Dance is a studio specializing in making home decor items. ‘Blankwind’ is a collection depicting the movement of winds by using the characteristics of acryl. Place it near a window where it’s sunny and breezy, and the vase makes you feel the flow of time through changes in the light filtered through the acrylic body.”
“Line and Segment made this ‘Two Handled Cup/Vase.’ The soft surface was the result of fine-grinding the ceramic exterior after baking it at a high temperature. ‘Melemele’ means the color yellow in Hawaiian.” Line and Segment is a studio run by ceramic artist Kim Minseon. Known for her structural aesthetics, Kim’s works are functional and pleasing to the eye.
Objects by Bright Room
“It’s the ‘Maeil Diary’ series by ceramics studio Bright Room located in Mangwon-dong. Daily journals are transformed into a form of ceramic object.” Only one object is made for each design, and has a title like ‘I really do love you’ or ‘feel pretty’ as if it’s taken from the journal. You may select an object that has a title suitable for your mood that day. These unique ‘Maeil Diary’ objects can be used to hold incense sticks.
Vase by Shall We Dance
The transparent, wavy object pictured against the sky blue backdrop is a vase from the Blankwind series by Shall We Dance. “Shall We Dance is a studio specializing in making home decor items. ‘Blankwind’ is a collection depicting the movement of winds by using the characteristics of acryl. Place it near a window where it’s sunny and breezy, and the vase makes you feel the flow of time through changes in the light filtered through the acrylic body.”
KioskKiosk
Address 2F, 18-14 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone +82-70-7767-0200
Hours Tue-Sat 11:00-19:30, Sun 12:00-19:00, Closed on Mondays
Instagram www.instagram.com/kioskkioskshop
Address 2F, 18-14 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone +82-70-7767-0200
Hours Tue-Sat 11:00-19:30, Sun 12:00-19:00, Closed on Mondays
Instagram www.instagram.com/kioskkioskshop
;)
;)
;)
