Van Gogh Reborn!

Chapter 270:

Chapter 270:

270

Meeting in a Strange Place (3)

When we arrived at the meeting place, Margo greeted us with a gloomy expression on his face.

“Ralph.”

“Seoyul.”

The person who hugged Grandpa warmly was Ralph Rufus, the director of the Venice Biennale and the head of the Haywood Gallery, a public art museum in England.

He looked dignified with his charcoal-gray hair and beard.

“You seem to grow bigger every time I see you.”

“I have to live healthy. Are you still riding your bike?”

“I gave it to my grandson. He said he wanted to rest his joints.”

Ralph Rufus exchanged greetings with Grandpa and then squatted down to meet my eyes.

“You’re Hoon. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Rufus.”

He was skinny, but his handshake was strong. His eyes were lively and I liked him.

“You’re seeing a warm world.”

I had heard many stories about my paintings, but this was the most pleasing one.

It meant that he resonated with the works I had presented so far.

I thanked him and sat down.

Ralph Rufus ordered a tea with milk in it, following Grandpa’s recommendation, and I ordered an apple juice with carbonation.

“So, what did you talk about with Simon, the chairman of the association?”

“He was planning something interesting.”

Ralph Rufus smiled.

“He wants to expand the Art Nouveau competition. It was well received, so it’s not unreasonable.”

I didn’t know what he meant by expanding the already international Art Nouveau competition.

It was hard enough to exhibit various works fairly at the time, and it didn’t seem like he meant to increase the number of participants.

“Expand? How do you mean?”

Grandpa asked the same question.

“He seems to want to make it a completely independent event.”

The Art Nouveau competition was an entrance process to participate in the special exhibition of the SNBA Salon.

But last year, the Art Nouveau competition attracted more attention and made more profit.

SNBA seemed to want to take advantage of this opportunity.

“He seems to want to approach it more entertainingly.”

“Like what?”

“Like a live broadcast with real-time voting.”

Money follows where people gather, and art blooms where there is money. It’s an immutable law of antiquity.

Artists who don’t have to worry about their livelihood can freely do art as their own subject, but those who can’t need at least some compensation.

“I see.”

Grandpa nodded without adding anything else, probably because he agreed with that.

“By the way, the national pavilion said your name wasn’t on the list. What happened?”

“Huh?”

“The Venice Biennale. Are you taking a break this time?”

Neither Grandpa nor I understood what Ralph was saying.

“I haven’t even heard the news of recruitment yet. What do you mean?”

Ralph Rufus noticed something strange and showed us the list of participants in the Korean pavilion.

‘Choi Kyu-seo?’

It was a name that sounded familiar.

What was strange was that there was no one I knew well, like Grandpa, me, Jang Mi-rae, or Seo In-ho.

Only Choi Kyu-seo.

It was weird. I didn’t know all the Korean artists, but still.

“That Kyu-seo guy...”

“There seems to be a problem. But Kyu-seo was your student, wasn’t he?”

Grandpa nodded.

Now that I think about it, he was the person I met at Grandpa’s retirement ceremony. He didn’t seem to get along well with Jang Mi-rae.

“Can they decide this unilaterally?”

“Yes. It will definitely help.”

While Grandpa and Bang Taeho were having a more detailed conversation, I went up to my room and called Kim Ji-woo.

-Hoon!

“Hello.”

-How have you been?

“Yes. How about you, reporter?”

-Well. A little awkward? Hahaha.

She seemed to have had some trouble.

She’s a healthy person who can laugh even when she goes through bad things.

-I got a job in Europe this time. I’m going to look around for a house and stuff.

“What about Yehwa?”

-It was a bit difficult. But now I can write what I want without worrying about it, so maybe it’s a good thing?

She has a positive attitude.

“It will definitely get better.”

-Thank you. So? Can I see you tomorrow?

“Yes. Can we meet at my place? Grandpa said you can stay in the guest room if you have nowhere else to go.”

-Really? Really?

“Of course.”

Kim Ji-woo screams over the smartphone. I don’t know why he’s so happy.

-Then see you tomorrow. I think I’ll arrive in the evening.

“Okay. Drive safely.”

-Okay~ Thank you!

After finishing the call, I wonder what I can do and call Marso.

-Why.

“Can I see you for a moment?”

-How long.

“Are you busy?”

-...Damn inspiration. I have to teach tomorrow too.

It’s an advanced class on art therapy, and he knows a lot.

“It’s about the Venice Biennale. I thought Marso might have a good idea.”

-Venice?

I briefly explain the situation and Marso curses softly over the smartphone.

-It must be like a pig farm. They keep coming back even if you kill them.

I agree.

-That aside. Don’t you just have to participate in the international exhibition? Do you have anything else you want to do at the Korean pavilion?

“I can decorate the whole exhibition hall.”

It’s a collaborative work with the commissioner and other artists, so I can’t do whatever I want, but I think it’s not bad to work within the framework of cooperation.

I learned the joy of working together from my experience at Dallida Square and Bugrenelli Shopping Mall.

I can make works that I never thought of by myself.

-Make more national pavilions.

“...Yes?”

-Make it.

Sometimes I can’t follow the conversation with Marso.

This is one of those times.

“What do you mean?”

-Italy has two, right? The Italian pavilion and the Venetian pavilion. It’s a done deal if Goseul Yeol Kyung and Ralph Rufus persuade the board. What are you worried about?

“....”

I’m a bit hesitant about the method I never imagined, but I can’t just say it’s impossible if there’s a precedent.

If I can convince the Venice Biennale board as Marso said.

I’m with my respected grandpa and popular writer Jang Mi-rae, so maybe the Venice Biennale board will accept it positively.

“That’s awesome.”

-You just realized that.

I hang up and go down to the second floor where grandpa and Bang Taeho are.

The organizations and names that appear in the work are not related to real organizations and people.