Hello friends,
Algorithm Free Quarterly is back, and this time the conversation is going to Seoul. On Saturday, September 13th at 3pm, the Fall event will take place at Polite Company in Mangwon.
With the first trial run under my belt in Busan last July, I’ve realized this is not a cookie-cutter event. While each iteration will have a guest speaker and similar structure, the audience are the most important part. The willingness to participate and the space they’re in is vital. So I’m really excited that Chris and Kelly are up for hosting this at their studio. This time around spaces are limited, so please signup at the link above.
What is Algorithm Free Quarterly?
It’s a face-to-face gathering where people recommend creative work without using their phones.
Each event starts with a featured artist sharing their story and a few of their personal recommendations. Then, the rest of the room takes part. Everyone prepares at least one recommendation — a book, film, song, artwork, poem, or creator — to share in real conversation.
The only rule?
No phones, no searching. Be ready to talk about your personal choice without needing to find that actors name on IMDB, or play a video off your phone.
It’s an attempt to return to the joy of discovering your new favorite song from a friend's mixtape, and to rebuild the curiosity muscle that is degraded daily by algorithmic playlists and suggestions.
Who is the Guest Speaker?
The guest speaker will be the always lovely Seungah Lee, a curriculum developer and lecturer at Hanyang University. She previously spent 14 years as an art educator in British schools and colleges, where she developed a student-centred, project-based approach and guided outstanding students, including those whose work was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts. Her interdisciplinary work focuses on helping students think creatively, collaborate effectively, and engage with real-world issues.
As such, Seungah has also offered to run a brief 5 minute workshop after her talk, with a hands-on activity designed to spark creative thinking. All you’ll need are your hands, a piece of paper, and an open mind. I’m pretty excited about this workshop serving as a reminder that creativity can begin anywhere, even with the simplest of tools.
How It Works
There are two ways to take part — choose one, or move between both.
🗣 Share a recommendation
Talk with others about something you want to recommend. It could be a book, an album, a film, an artwork, a place. Anything creative that’s stayed with you.
No phones, no screens, just real conversation.
✏️ Or draw it
If you’d prefer a quieter moment, visit the drawing table. There’ll be paper and markers where you can sketch something connected to your recommendation. Maybe a cover, a character, a place, or just a simple visual idea.
All drawings will be collected for Algorithm Free Quarterly — a free zine that records the recommendation of both guest and audience across each event.
Where and When?
📍 Polite Company (망원동 432-37, Seoul)
📅 Saturday, September 13 | 3PM
🎟️ Free entry with signup — just bring your curiosity.
See you there,
Phil
Links: