New SMB Web System Guide

The Seoul Mediacity Biennale (SMB) web system serves as a digital commons that converts fundamental information and knowledge from past and future editions of SMB into an accessible resource available to anyone with an internet connection. This guide establishes comprehensive instructions for users to navigate and engage with the Biennale’s digital archive through the SMB web system. The purpose of this guidebook is to provide Biennale participants of the past, present, and future with a more comprehensive understanding of ever-changing media landscapes and distribution methods from both technological and artistic standpoints, while reinforcing SMB’s unique identity and enduring characteristics through consistent documentation practices.

Organized and operated by Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), Seoul Mediacity Biennale has thus far focused primarily on the rapid execution of each sequential edition of the Biennale, without adopting a systematic approach to aggregating its accumulated knowledge resources and making them accessible. This has led to persistent inefficiencies caused by repeated trial and error. In 2022, with the establishment of a dedicated SMB team within SeMA, Seoul Mediacity Biennale 1996–2022 Report was published as the Biennale’s first integrated dataset by selecting and collecting fragmented records from past events, conducting additional research, and verifying facts. Building upon this initiative, the 2024 project Open Research for Web Platform Development examined the need for a stable data infrastructure, the value of digital resources as part of a knowledge network, and the key components required to maintain a sustainable system.

This guide is divided into three main sections. The introductory section, SMB Glossary, serves as a guide to understanding diverse elements of SMB data by defining a variety of 20 key terms that shape the Biennale’s identity, along with selected themes from previous editions of SMB. Part 1, SMB Data classifies information according to eight units—projects, artworks, programs, participants and participating institutions, publications, research, videos, and press materials—and provides corresponding technical guidelines for documenting each type of information. Part 2, SMB System defines the structural and visual design of the website and management system that preserves and connects SMB data, while also discussing best practices for usage and potential expansion.

The data included in the new SMB web system is organized and connected using structures and rules that are tailored to its unique characteristics, thus creating a space for remembering and linking SMB’s past and present, as well as offering possibilities for its future applications. By standardizing documentation methods, transferring printed published images and texts into digital formats, digitizing analog tape recordings, and collecting records and memories of those who experienced past editions of SMB, we are reminded that technological and mechanical advancements are indelibly reliant on human intellect, vision, hands, and heart. We hope that this web system, created collectively as a first step toward formulating a shared public asset, will continue to serve as a sustainable foundation for SMB.

Guide download
A New SMB Web System

Plan Seoul Mediacity Biennale Office
Development and Design AG Lab, Ahn Graphics (Min Guhong, Baek Changin)
SMB Data Entries Bae Yewon, Chaeyoung Oh, Jiyul Kim, Jie-young Song, Jihee Jun, Jungmin Lee, Lee Chang Min, Lee Hyeonju, Lee Seul bi, Moon-seok Yi, Park Eunhyun, Saro Kim, Shin Hyueji, Yerin Joo and Yunji Lee
English Translations ACE TRANSLATION
English Copy Editing Andy St. Louis