[양혜규, 베니스비엔날레 한국대표작가] Yang Haegue to represent Korea in Venice

2008.12.31

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Installation artist Yang Haegue has been chosen to hold a solo presentation in the Korean Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale in Italy.

"Yang is one of the most significant Korean artists performing now," said Joo Eungie, the pavilion commissioner, at the press conference last week at Arts Council Korea. "This is her moment. Through this Venice Biennale, she can get attention and so can Korean contemporary art."

A new commissioner is designated every year for the Korean Pavilion by Arts Council Korea, and the commissioner selects an artist or a group of artists to present in the Biennale.

Graduating from Seoul National University Fine Arts College, Yang has been showcasing her work more internationally - splitting her time here and in Germany. German newspaper Capital included her as one of the top 100 international installation artists, along with compatriot Lee Bul.

Yang uses sculpture, video and installation to express her sentiments about humanity, history and her private memories.

"I think the similarity between an artist and a philosopher is that they both try to realize something that already exists," said Yang at the press conference. "I simply try to express them with my artistic words."

She has not decided what to exhibit at the Biennale yet, but her former work gives us a few hints.

Electric machines frequently appear in her work. "Asymmetric Equality" which was exhibited in Gallery at REDCAT in Los Angeles last summer, featured theatrical lights connected to sensors on a drum set. If one drummed on the set, different blazing lights moved as an echo of the sound.

An infrared heater warmed the air in her exhibition room from one corner and an air conditioner cooled it from another side. Humidifiers made the space moist.

"It made viewers confront their opposite senses," Joo said.

Similar substances filled the room in "A Series of Vulnerable Arrangements," which Yang displayed in Sao Paulo Biennale in 2006.

For those who have followed Yang's career, "vulnerable" is the word that usually pops up. Yang has used the word very often since 2004 to express sadness, loneliness and melancholy.

"The stronger and more impressive I found my surroundings, the weaker my heart became," said Yang. "Then this melancholic vulnerability seemed to open small passages where different beings and elements can newly be connected through."

Yang defines her works as "sentimental communities mobilized by senses." Sounds complicated? Yang herself admits that her works are indescribable.

"My works are hard to imagine if you don't actually experience it. You need to breathe it, feel it, and see it using all your senses. You have to be covered from top to toe by the shades and lights of my work to really get it," said Yang.

Unfortunately, viewers will not be able to see Yang's usual use of dramatic lights at Venice because the pavilion there is very bright.

"We are eagerly discussing what to do. Everything I do from now will be melded in it. I can dare say that I am up to taking on this big responsibility. I really want to do my best," said Yang.

Venice Biennale will run from June 22 to Nov. 22.

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[2008미술계 결산]Art industry suffers serious downfall

2008.12.29

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Dreadful flames swallowed Namdaemun, Korea's 600-year-old National Treasure No. 1, on Feb. 10, breaking the hearts of Koreans. As if in mourning over the loss of Korea's most artistic cultural asset, the Korean art industry itself was at a loss all year long.

Already strained by various scandals, the industry suffered from the global economic crisis and nearly hit rock bottom. It never managed to bounce back, but instead fell deeper into a slump, weighed down by an unhelpful government.

The year began with a wobbly start as Shin Jeong-ah, the former art professor and curator who forged her academic credentials and embezzled gallery money, was sentenced to a year and six months in prison in April.

A number of art forgery scandals followed, including the one over Park Soo-keun's painting "A Wash Place." It was sold for a record 4.52 billion won ($3.4 million) last May but was soon entangled in forgery controversies.

It went through numerous evaluations, but it is still not certain whether it is authentic or not. It is currently being reinspected by the Seoul National University and it is apparent that the controversy will continue, since the person in charge at the university was recently disciplined.

Other pieces by famous artists such as Kwon Ok-yeon and Do Sang-bok were put up at auction but were exposed as fake by the artists themselves or their surviving family. The auctions were canceled at the last minute.

Making it harder for the art industry to find tranquility after these scandals quieted down were vacancies of the top of the major art galleries and art councils.

Hong Ra-hee, the former head of the Samsung Museum of Art, Leeum and who was selected as the most powerful figure in Korean art industry, announced that she would no longer participate in any of Leeum's business when she resigned earlier this year.

Her resignation was the result of the accusation that she used some of Samsung's slush funds to supplement her collection of paintings. Roy Lichtenstein's painting, "Happy Tears," was at the center of the controversy.

Since her resignation, art fans have been unable to see the museum's high-quality special exhibitions. With Korea's top private gallery silent, the art industry is busy searching for another target buyer.

Kim Yun-su, the former director of the National Museum of Contemporary Arts, was dismissed in November, accused of buying Marcel Duchamp's installation art "La Boite en Valise" for an inappropriately high 600 million won without going through proper purchasing procedures.

Kim Jeong-heon, former chairman of the Arts Council Korea, was also released from the office in December for a similar reason, the misuse of the council's budget. He was blamed for an investment loss of 5.4 billion won, which allegedly came in the form of regulations violations.

However, the culture minister Yu In-chon had announced earlier this year that it was only natural for both Kims to step down, mentioning that all officials appointed under the left-leaning Roh Moo-hyun administration should quit their posts.

The art industry seems to be one of the industries most affected by the world economic crisis, especially compared to last year, the industry's heyday. Gallery insiders say with a big sigh that this year was the worst in sales ever.

The art auction market, which was worth over 192.6 billion won last year, dropped over 40 percent, to 114.9 billion won. More than 80 percent of the bid was successful last year but this year, only 50 percent managed to sell. New auction companies such as D auction and Open auction are delaying the opening of their businesses.

It is the same situation with biennales and art fairs. Many opened this year, including Gwangju Biennale, Busan Biennale, Daegu Photo Biennale and Korea International Art Fair.

In size and quality, they left nothing to be desired. Most of them succeeded in attracting their most visitors ever, as 360 thousand visited Gwangju and 160 visited Busan during the period.

KIAF was bigger than last year, with about 1,500 artists from 20 countries presenting approximately 6,000 works. Gwangju Biennale succeeded in overcoming the void left by Shin Jeong-ah's removal with a unique theme of "no theme at all," under the name "Annual Report," led by Okwui Enwezor, the art director.

The fairs, however, did not result in good sales. More than 61 thousand visitors entered the KIAF this year, but the sales dropped from 17.5 billion won last year to 14 billion won.

To make matters worse for the art industry, the bill of imposing capital gains tax on art pieces passed the plenary session of the National Assembly on Dec. 13. Starting from 2011, art pieces that cost more than 60 million won will be taxable. Works of Korean artists are excluded.

But some experts say that this is the right time to make the art market transparent and sort out its dealing system, which had regularly seen giant bubbles of overpriced artworks.

But the controversy over the bill is likely to continue next year, as art galleries and organizations, which closed down for days in November to protest the government's movement, are still against the bill.

They worry that the real-name dealings system will make the art market shrink even more, considering how art collectors usually do not open to the public the specifics of the dealings. They also question how exactly the government will be able to estimate the prices of each art piece.

A light of hope does shine on the troubled art industry, though. Some auction companies and art galleries are paving their way into the world market, trying to survive through the depression.

Seoul Auction and K auction, the top two auction companies in Korea advanced into Hong Kong and Macao this year and are putting up a good fight. Seoul Auction sold Lichtenstein's "Still Life with Stretcher, Mirror, Bowl of Fruit" at 9.3 billion won in Hong Kong.

Arario Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and PKM gallery opened in China, Arario Gallery and Gana Art Gallery in New York, and Pyo Gallery in Los Angeles in the United States.

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[이방인의 렌즈를 통해 본 삶] Life through a foreign lens

2008.12.22

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We often encounter two paradoxes with documentary photos. One is that despite them being more frank and straightforward, they end up more touching than artistic images.

The other is that foreigners sometimes turn out to capture the most vivid and insightful moments - perhaps natives of a country are too deeply entrenched to see things clearly.

Two Seoul galleries are exhibiting documentary photos of Korea and Uganda, taken by outsiders.

One of them is a documentation of the past of Korea, recorded by Japanese photographer Kuwabara Sisei.

He became famous with his piece on a Minamata patient that helped inform the world of the seriousness of the illness.

Curious of the changes that occurred in Korea after the Korean War and the separation of the peninsula, Shisei first set foot in Korea in 1964. Since then, he has been addicted.

For half of his life, Shisei has photographed the country. His recent work includes documents on Korea's presidential election last year, later published as a photo essay.

Shisei was once deported because of his fearless exploration of the darker corners of the society, which the government was trying to conceal.

Thanks to his boldness, we can see what shantytowns and villages near military camps looked like in the 1960s and 1970s.

For the exhibition running at the Museum of Photography in Bangui-dong, southern Seoul, Shisei displays 66 of his photos. Most of them are being shown for the first time.

"He did what Koreans needed to do, but couldn't do. He recorded our history for us. That's why I am thankful to him," wrote Han Jeong-sik, photography professor at JoongAng University in his essay on Shisei.

Some of Shisei's photos of North Korea are also on display. It is weird to see how North Korea's present is so similar to South Korea's past more than two decades ago.

If Korea was not strong enough to record its own history at the time, it now seems like Koreans are paying back what they received, by photographing the history of other less developed countries.

Kim Kyung-sang, a Korean photographer, has captured the present of Uganda, which is in a civil war. His pictures focus on places that can be easily neglected and unloved.

Gallery M in Jeong-dong is showcasing 24 of Kim's photos through the exhibition "Lord's Resistance Army."

The children in his pictures appear heartrendingly innocent. An African kid grins under a single candle, with a book under his nose. The book is ragged and the candle is crooked, but his bright smile still seems genuine.

In another, a five-year-old puts his hand on his mother's knees, and stares at her with mournful eyes. His mother, who is sitting in front of a sewing machine in what looks like a factory full of workers, gives him a weak smile.

"Kim's photos are not just records. He spotlights the fundamental problems of humans through the inhumanity and brutality of the internal war," said curator Lee Ki-myeong.

Kuwabara Shisei's exhibition runs until Feb. 21. For more information, call (02) 418-1316 or visit www.photomuseum.or.kr

"Lord's Resistance Army" runs through Dec. 30. For more information, call (02) 2277-2438 or visit www.eurocreon.com/magnumphotos

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[한국의 유물 전시] A peek into old Korea through treasures

2009.12.19

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One of the best ways to really get to know someone is to visit their home.

The same trick works when a person wants to learn about a country or a certain dynasty - looking closely at its things helps. Two Korean museums are currently hosting special exhibitions showcasing the cultural assets of old Korea - Joseon, Goryeo and Unified Silla.

For example, during the Joseon dynasty, two major wars broke out - one against Japan in 1592, and another one against Cheong China in 1636 - which had a great impact on the nation and brought about a slew of changes in people's lives.

The exhibition "Joseon Porcelain with Iron Painting," underway now at GyeongGi Cultural Foundation in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, examines Joseon's social changes through porcelain. A total of 100 ceramics with iron paintings are exhibited.

This particular type of porcelain was treated with disdain before the 17th century for being cheap and rough. Wanting to possess something beautiful and luxurious, people at that time yearned for white porcelain decorated with cobalt-based blue decoration.

Following the war the situation changed. Unable to produce expensive porcelain, people turned to pieces with iron-based glazes. In fact, as even the royal family started to use them one by one, it became the new trend.

"The porcelain with iron glazes contain the will of the Joseon people to focus more on utility than sumptuousness," explained Jang Ki-hoon, curator of the exhibition.

The National Museum of Korea in Ichon-dong, Seoul, invites visitors into the royal palace of Goryeo, which was filled with ceramics that were extravagant yet noble. The exhibition "The Royal Ceramics of Goryeo Dynasty" displays about 300 ceramics used in the palace during the 12th and 13th century.

Surprisingly, some fragments of the ceramics were not found in royal palaces but in stoves in distant spots. By matching up the pieces with the ones found in the palace, the excavation team found out that those spots were where the ceramics were produced. A celadon bottle in the shape of a melon - National Treasure No. 94 - is one of them.

Among the exhibits, the ceramics found in the tomb of Injong - the 17th king of Goryeo - are introduced through this exhibition for the first time.

"They are valuable assets which will help research not only on ceramics but also on society in the 12th century as a whole," said Kang Gyeong-nam, curator of the exhibition.

Moving even further back to the past, the museum also holds an exhibition "Echoes of Life: The Enduring Tradition of Unified Silla Sculpture," showcasing more than 200 sculptures, including some national treasures. Some of the exhibits were brought from Tokyo National Museum, Nara National Museum, and Kyushu National Museum in Japan. Unified Silla's sculptures emit an international flavor.

"Recognizing its international position in the global stage, it (Silla) opened itself to other cultures while maintaining its own creative appreciation," said Choe Kwang-shik, director-general of the museum at the exhibition's opening ceremony on Monday.

The exhibition is divided into six parts. The first four parts display sculptures from Unified Silla in a chronological order. National Treasures such as "Amitabha Buddha" can be found there.

The fifth part, "Guardians of the Dead - Tomb Sculptures," holds stone pagodas and the monkey figure of the 12 zodiac animals. Visitors can guess what the people of that time thought about the afterlife.

In the final division "Culmination of Artistic Spirit - Seokguram Grotto," a model of the grotto can be found. Designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the Seokguram Grotto is an embodiment of the best artistic, scientific, and religious minds of the time.

"This Seokguram Grotto model is specially organized for children," said Heo Hyeong-wook, the curator. With sculpted rocks and pillars installed around the dome and the Buddha sitting in the middle, viewers will feel like they are in Mt. Tohamsan near Gyeongju, where the actual grotto is seated.

"Joseon Porcelain with Iron Painting" runs through Feb. 20 at GyeongGi Cultural Foundation in Suwon, south of Seoul. For more information, call (031) 231-7263 or visit www.ggcf.or.kr

"The Royal Ceramics of Goryeo Dynasty" runs through Feb. 15 and "Echoes of Life: the Enduring Tradition of Unified Silla Sculpture" until March 1 at National Museum of Korea in Ichon-dong in central Seoul. For more information, contact (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[오래된 미래] 'Ancient Futures'

2008.12.17

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Human beings have long been transforming the natural environment to pursue progress. But few pay attention to exactly what we are doing and how nature reacts.

The exhibition "Ancient Futures" at Seoul Museum of Art NamSeoul in Namhyeon-dong tries to tell nature's side of the story.

"This is an opportunity for viewers to reflect on lost values," said Kim Woo-in, curator of the exhibition.

More than 60 works of various genres created by 15 artists seem to retort to humans, "Now look what happened!"

On the first floor, pieces of nature such as rocks and insect wings - often considered meaningless - are magnified, sculpted and photographed under the theme "Ecological Imagination - Principles of Life."

In Yeo-rak's space, hundreds of bones collected from roadkill are lined up behind glass. They are what remain after Yeo picked up the dead animals and cremated them. With what remained after cremation, the artist stuck them together and painted them. It looks like the ground, only hung on the wall.

"Yeo's art signifies how everything, including small creatures, is connected in a giant circle of time," said Kim.

Upstairs in the "A Symbolized World - Paradise Regained" section, viewers can immediately sense that artists gave consideration to the thin line between the concept of artificial and natural.

Ever seen a deer with ammonites or corals instead of horns? Takuma Uematsu's white, alien-like figures, which are mixtures of various species, stand awkwardly on a table, genetically modified by humans.

In the next room, Son Jeong-eun created a 100 percent artificial paradise where wind blows, water flows and birds chirp.

"This shows how the border between artificial and natural has become vague, and reminds us of people's desire to possess nature," explained Kim.

This exhibition may not be a comforting display of dreamy art depicting flowery scenery, but it will give visitors something to think about.

The current exhibition runs through Feb. 15, 2009 at Seoul Museum of Art NamSeoul in southern Seoul. It is free of admission and closed on Mondays. For more information, call (02) 598-6247 or visit www.seoulmoa.org

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[63스카이아트] An exhibition in the clouds

2008.12.10

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Can you imagine wandering through an art gallery so high up that its windows show clouds outside?

This is possible at 63 Sky Art in Yeouido, southwestern Seoul, the world's highest museum. Its exhibition, "Wander on the Sky," started last week.

Located on the 60th floor of the 63 building, a major landmark in the capital city, 63 Sky Art took the title of world's highest museum away from Tokyo's Mori Art Museum, which is on the 53rd floor, when it opened last year.

The 60th floor - 264 meters above sea level - is where the observation deck, a popular spot for tourists, used to be. No need to worry, though; visitors may still enjoy the remarkable view of Seoul through the gigantic windows and coin-operated binoculars.

"Many visitors commented that the observation deck offered literally nothing to see but the outside view. So we thought some art would give the visitors something more to enjoy," said museum vice-president Yoo Deok-jong at a press conference last Friday.

"About 2 million people visit the 63 building every year. It is the clearly the landmark of Seoul by height, and with this art museum, we hope it could also become a cultural landmark," he added.

To promote its debut, the exhibition displays 63 pieces of sky-themed art. More than 30 well-known artists, including Lee U Fan, Zou Wei, Andy Warhol and Paik Nam-june have their paintings, sculptures, photos, videos and installations presented. The exposition is divided into three parts: "Sky of dream and fantasy," "Sky of freedom and infinity," and "Sky of love and innocence of a child."

In the first section, Kwon Ki-soo, a painter famous for his "donguri" character, drew a smiling donguri in "Flying." He also showcases his new work "Layers" for the first time.

Kwon O-chul's astrophotographs make viewers doubt their eyes. Falling stars stand still behind a glowing tree and millions of stars embroider the purple sky.

Paik's video art "Neptune" is notable in the second section, but since it is placed on the first basement floor it would be better for viewing before going up to the museum.

In the third division, "Moon Explore Robot," a painting of Andy Warhol, and the witty sculptures of Kim So-yeon and Lee Kyu-min add to the fun.

While there, make sure you visit the restroom, which was decorated with flower stickers by artist Park Ki-sung.

This museum's greatest charm, though, is that viewers are able to take glances of the Seoul view between art pieces.

"Visit once more at night time. With the Han river flowing by, the night view is breathtaking," said Kwon A-reum, the curator. The museum is open until midnight everyday.

The current exhibition runs through March 15. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 11,000 won for adolescents and 10,000 won for children. For more information, call (02) 789-5663 or visit www.63.co.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

Exhibition to find the next Lee Bul

2008.12.8

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The best part of being young and having less experience is that one is forgiven for being bold and fearless.

Seventeen up-and-coming artists show off their daring, uninhibited ideas in the "2008 I AM AN ARTIST" exhibition at the National Museum of Contemporary Art.

Started in 1981, the biannual exhibition is the museum's oldest project. The project brought to light more than 300 artists in the past 27 years. Some of them grew to be leading artists in Korea and the world, such as photographer Koo Bohn-chang and installation artist Lee Bul.

The museum is sure that the artists participating this time also possess great potential.

"Korean contemporary art market has greatly expanded in the 20th century, and it seems to be getting more and more corrupt and commercialized," said Lee Chu-young, assistant curator of the exhibition, at a press conference last Thursday.

"We selected artists aged 24 to 38 years old who do not compromise with the existing art world but reveal their existence as artists in their own ways. They seem to cry out 'I am an artist!' by uniquely expressing their view of people, society and history."

The 17 artists are: Oh Suk Kuhn, Safranski Mackerel, Lee Eun Sil, Lee Hyein, Na Hyun, Chu One Joon, Kim Yun Ho, Ahn Doo Jin, Lee Jae Hoon, Kang Seok Ho, Lim Seung Chun, Lee Wan, Wee Young Il, Liil Liil, Kim Si Won, Kwon Kyung Hwan and Lee Jin Joon.

"Erotic jjamppong man in distress" by Wee Young Il [National Museum of Contemporary Art]

They exhibit various kinds of artwork, ranging from paintings and installations to sculptures, photographs, videos and animations in their separate spaces. There are a total of 250 pieces of work on display.

Liil Liil's space is like an amusement park. Viewers can wear 3D glasses and enjoy her "Voyage to Vanishing Landscape Project" series, which shows the landscapes of the South Pole and the desert in Central Asia.

Wee Young Il's space is full of satire, ready to make viewers crack up. Wee's "Artist Color Chart" criticizes some of the famous artists who repeat the same style of work over and over again.

By creating a "jjamppongman" character, which is a mixture of superheroes, including Batman, Superman and Spiderman, he made fun of the typical American heroes.

Some works are so raw and unfamiliar that viewers might even question if it can be called art or not.

Kim Si Won makes a room full of white boxes of different sizes, which signify the amount of sleep he had while preparing for this exhibition. He also pushed one of the walls everyday until it slightly tilted, to show how much strength he put into the preparation.

"I decided to turn the changes that occurred to my body during preparation into an artwork," Kim said.

At any rate, the emerging artists will more than fulfill viewer's anticipations, if what they expect is some spunkiness, a lot of inspiration and a basket full of fun.

"2008 I AM AN ARTIST" will be on display through March 8 at National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Tickets are 3,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit www.moca.go.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[쌈지농부전] Farming as art

2008.12.15

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If you consider that art is all about creating new things, farming is possibly one of the most artistic activities in the world.

Gallery Ssamzie in Insa-dong brings the artistic side of farming to the fore with its "Ssamzie Farmer Exhibition." Under the theme "Farming is Art," it displays farm-themed paintings, handbags, and T-shirts in a market-like space.

Gallery Ssamzie decided to continue the exhibition in its gallery to give more visitors a chance to see it, after it received a positive response at the Seoul Design Olympiad this year.

"We eat food and wear clothes every day. It is time that eco-friendly products were spotlighted, for our own good," said Lee Do-young, curator of the exhibition.

Artist Lee Jong-ku's works depict the precious relationship between people and nature. In "The earth-spring," Lee shows his respect towards soil - the source of our food and ultimately, our lives.

The bags made of recycled banners and used tires designed by Ssamzie are unique in design and color. There are also T-shirts with organic vegetables drawn on them. All exhibits are available to buy, except for those which are one-off productions.

"Visitors seem to prefer the ones that are not for sale because they are so special," Lee said. "But in any case, this exhibition will remind visitors of how eco-friendly and artistic farming can be."

The exhibition runs through Dec. 21 at Ssamzie Gallery in central Seoul. For more information, contact (02) 736-0900 or visit www.ssamziegil.com

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[윌리엄 블레이크] Blake's artistic side rediscovered

2008.12.5

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Many remember William Blake (1757-1827) as one of the leading poets of the Romantic period. Not many know that he was actually an artist before becoming a poet.

Museum of Art Seoul National University in Sillim-dong spotlights Blake's artistic side and his influence on British culture for the first time in Korea. In the exhibition "Blake's Shadow: William Blake and his Artistic Legacy," 62 pieces of Blake's, his contemporaries' and those he influenced are displayed.

After the Tate Gallery in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York held exhibitions on Blake's art in 2000 and 2001, his artwork became more popular.

"It was a hit, people loved to discover Blake's unveiled talents," Baek Hyun-joo, an exhibition guide, told The Korea Herald. "Since those exhibitions, Blake gained an affirmation that he was one of the most effective British artists who gave a preview of the future of British art."

Most of his works can be found in the Whitworth Art Gallery in the University of Manchester. Pieces from the Whitworth were brought here for this show.

"The Ancient of Days" by William Blake [Museum of Art Seoul National University]

Blake's work is mostly illustrations from literature - either his or others'. Penniless at the time, Blake drew illustrations of the work of well-known writers for money. "Blake reflected his romantic and fantastic ideas in his paintings," stated Baek, pointing to "The Ancient of Days," which is the frontispiece to his anthology of poetry "Europe: A Prophecy." A white-haired man reminiscent of the characters in Michelangelo's paintings sits with one knee up.

"He expressed the sacredness of the human body by closely depicting the muscles and expressions. By making a composition of a circle in a square, he offers the viewers a fourfold vision, which can lead to infinite meanings."

Blake has influenced many artists from the Victorian era until now. Fifty-three paintings of 26 artists such as George Frederic Watts from the Victorian era, or Anish Kapoor of the 20th century, who were under Blake's "shadow" are also showcased in the exhibition.

The exhibition runs through Feb. 14 at Museum of Art Seoul National University in southern Seoul but is closed on Mondays. Tickets are 3,000 won. For more information, contact (02) 880-9509 or visit www.snumoa.org

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[공예 트렌드 페어] Korea's biggest craft fair kicks off

2008.12.3

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"Craft Trend Fair 2008," Korea's biggest craft fair, kicks off at COEX Pacific Hall, in Samsung-dong, Seoul today.

The fair, which started in 2006, is hosted by the Korea Craft Promotion Foundation and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"The economic situation is bad, and the craftwork industry is highly affected," said Seong Moon-mo, director of KCPF, at a recent press conference. "The purpose of this fair is to promote craft culture and the craft industry market."

More than 100 companies and student or artist groups will be presented in some 300 booths. It is divided into five parts - Craft Industrial Exhibition, Traditional Exhibition, Life Art Exhibition, Public Exhibition and Experience Exhibition.

The theme of the Craft Industrial Exhibition is "Digital Craft." It displays the work of 44 artists who added digital elements to their crafts to make them fit in the digital era.

In the Life Art Exhibition named "Lighting," 235 artists show lights made with various materials including "hanji," or Korean traditional paper, and ceramics.

"From tree," Lee Eun-hye [Korean Craft Promotion Foundation]

The Traditional Exhibition, "Blend," exhibits unique furniture which Korean human cultural assets and some up-and-coming furniture designers made together. For example, human cultural assets Seo Han-kyu and Kim Mun-sik provided their veteran skills and traditional materials while the young designers came up with chic designs.

The brilliant craftworks of college students can be found in the Public Exhibition. Various programs which visitors can actually participate in, including making hanji craftwork, or dyeing with nature materials, are prepared in the Experience Exhibition.

The tickets are 5,000 won but visitors will receive a gift certificate worth the same amount when they buy tickets. The certificates can be used to buy crafts or to participate in charged programs.

"We hope visitors will buy some crafts with the gift certificates and get to know the craft culture," said Seong.

The fair runs through Sunday. For more information, call (02) 733-9040 or visit craftfair.kcpf.or.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[사진작가 주명덕] Photographer casts critical gaze at cities

2008.12.1

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Half of the world's population lives in cities.

Giant screens replay the same advertisement over and over, gray buildings block the sunlight and flashy neon signs annoy people everyday.

In the exhibition "Cityscape," at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in Tongui-dong, photographer Joo Myung Duck exhibits the results of his critical scrutiny of the city. His 75 photos reveal the hidden vanity of cities, where advertising seems to control the unconsciousness of urbanites but offers nothing of value.

Joo is a renowned Korean photographer who has been shooting photos for more than 45 years. He is famous for his documentary photos that focus on crucial social issues and disappearing cultural heritages.

"Mr. Holt's Orphanage," his exhibition in 1996, displayed photos of war orphans. These first documentary photos by a Korean photographer created a great sensation, when most photos taken in Korea were elegant indoor shots.

This time, Joo spotlights cityscapes, perhaps to raise alarm over how big and vain cities have become. The exhibition displays cityscapes from various spots in Seoul such as Gwanghwamun and Yeouido, as well as Ilsan, where he lives.

"Yeouido," Joo Myung Duck, Type C-print, 2008 Joo Myung Duck

"Joo tried to show the beautiful sides of our cities as well, but we can easily find his critical views," said Park Ju-seok, a professor of photography at Myongji University and the director of this exhibition at the press conference last Tuesday. "He seems to think of this city as not a real one but rather a virtual one built with overflowing images and media," Park said.

Not surprisingly, Joo's cityscapes are packed with buildings and neon signs. Advertisements of beautiful women, icons produced by mass media, throw luring glances to nowhere, masking a reality that lies beneath the veneer.

"Advertisements are almost like a religion these days," said Joo. "It seems as if Seoul is practically invaded by them."

Joo's way of criticizing is quiet but powerful. He takes a step backwards and records the city from a certain distance, most passers-by would see it. By sharing this point of view, viewers can more easily understand what Joo meant to say.

Daelim Contemporary Art Museum will hold two more exhibitions of Joo's work focusing on people's homes in 2009 and 2010. Joo's work can still be found there after that, since the museum plans to collect all his work and records to establish a Joo Myung Duck archive.

"We are up to this task, which has a very significant meaning in the history of Korean photography," said Park.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 18 at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in central Seoul. Tickets are 4,000 won for adults and 2,000 won for students. For more information, call (02) 720-0667 or visit www.daelimmuseum.org

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[우리들의 눈]Art being made with eyes closed, but hearts open

2008.11.28

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The disabled are more talented than ordinary people in many ways. For some, they simply need a little help in finding and developing their talent.

Volunteers and art teachers of the Korean Art Association for the Blind help visually impaired students explore their artistic side -- and enjoy some art.

To ensure artists have somewhere to display their work, the association opened the art gallery Another Way of Seeing, exclusively for the visually impaired, on Nov. 20.

"Disability can lead to another kind of creativity," said Oum Jeong-soon, director of Korean Art Association for the Blind, in an interview with The Korea Herald.

"Another Way of Seeing" is a project the association has organized since its establishment in 1997. They hold art classes at schools for the visually impaired and do collaborative projects with overseas artistic organizations for the disabled.

Celebrating their 10-year anniversary, the association is holding an exhibition titled "Korean-Japanese Visually Impaired Students, a Meeting through Art" at the gallery Another Way of Seeing in Hwa-dong. Tom Gallery, an exclusive gallery for the blind in Tokyo, will partner with Korean Art Association for the Blind on the project.

The exhibition displays sculptures, paintings, and photos, which students of the two countries created. Participants expressed memory and hope in their sculptures.

"CM Punk the Wrestler," Jeong Mi-young, White Clay [Korean Art Association for the Blind]

Han Seong-hyeon, a 13-year-old boy, made a clay castle with identical-looking people walking around it. When Han was busy with his work, his teacher asked him why everyone he makes looks the same. "It's because Legos were my favorite toys growing up," he said. "I liked playing with Lego people the most. My sight began to disappear but I can still remember what the Lego people felt like. I think memories are stronger than sight."

Fourteen-year-old Jeong Mi-young made a clay figure of her favorite pro-wrestler and jotted down a wish. "Whenever my friend Chan-byeol makes fun of me, I wish that CM Punk could come to see me at school," she wrote.

"When doing art, the children seem to respect themselves and regard themselves as creative and special beings," explained Oum. "We give them only the highest quality materials. Like how the memory of something delicious you've tasted goes on forever, we wanted to give them a precious memory to last their lives."

The association hopes that eventually the visually impaired students will enter art schools and universities. To that end, they run workshops and seminars.

Oum points out there are many famous blind artists around the world. "Some of our students also have exquisite talents, enough to become professional artists," she said confidently.

To consistently display students' potential, the association opened the gallery Another Way of Seeing, exclusively for the visually impaired, on Nov. 20.

"We hope this exhibition space will be a springboard for young artists and we trust that our art world will be enriched with their presence," Oum said.

The exhibition runs through Dec. 20 at Another Way of Seeing in central Seoul. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 733-1996 or visit www.ka-ba.or.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[퐁피두 특별전]French exhibit explores images of heaven in art

2008.11.26

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One can now see the original works of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall all in one Seoul gallery, thanks to the Pompidou Center.

An exhibition of masterpieces from the French institution is running at Seoul Museum of Art in central Seoul. It features 79 pieces of world renowned artists, including ones displayed for the first time in Korea.

The Pompidou Center is the most famous museum of contemporary art in France. It holds more than 58,000 works by 5,200 artists and an average of six million people visit each year.

This exhibition is the last of Seoul Museum of Art's special exhibition series of prestigious French art museums. An exhibition of Louvre Museum was held in 2006 and one of Orsay Museum was held in 2007.

"This is an exhibition which tells a story," said Alain Seban, president of the Pompidou Center, at a press conference held last Friday. Titled "Arcadia: Heaven for Artists," this exhibition reveals the story on how images of Arcadia, or heaven, were depicted and idealized by Parisian artists after the 20th century.

"Bergers d'Arcadie, 'Et in Arcadia Ego'" of Nicolas Poussin, the great artist of French classicism, is the key to understanding the story. The masterpiece is not actually present at the exhibition but is projected on a wall made of strings at the entrance to the second floor.

Shepherds of Arcadia chat peacefully in the painting. One of them points to a tombstone, which reads "and in Arcadia there is me." The phrase implies that Arcadia is the same as everywhere else - people are with all their usual experiences, such as hope, joy, vanity and death.

By walking through the string wall, visitors can feel like they are entering Arcadia itself.

Behind the wall, a herd of sheep greets visitors, roaming peacefully on green grass which makes it feel like springtime. The scene is "Tropeaux de moutons," by Francois-Xavier Lalanne. The sheep imply the peace of Arcadia filled with poetry and music.

The exhibition is composed of 10 parts, each showing different aspects of Arcadia. On the second floor, visitors will find "The Golden Age," "Arcadia," "Joy," "Abundance," and "Recovered Arcadia," one following another.

Dider Ottinger, vice president of Pompidou Center and the director of this exposition, picks "Grand Interieur Rouge" by Henri Matisse in the "Abundance" division as one of the most notable works in the exhibition. Flowers in full bloom and vivid red walls light up the canvas, creating a warm and bountiful ambience. "Matisse is one of those who most believed in Arcadia, and this is his best work," said Ottinger. "Quite a lot of Pompidou's visitors come to see only this work."

Giuseppe Penone's "Respire l'Ombre" in the "Recovered Arcadia" section attracts many eyes - and noses. It is a room made of walls packed with laurel leaves. "Here, visitors can smell Arcadia, the blue sky, or the Mediterranean ocean," explained Ottinger.

On the third floor, divisions of "Harmony," "Vanity," "Darkness," and "The Lunch on the Grass" awaits the visitors.

Joan Miro expressed his vision of humans and birds blinking in the dark in "Personnage et Oiseaux dans la Nuit," in the "Darkness" division. The picture spreads six meters across and stands about two meters in height, the biggest in the exhibition. The frame needed to be separated and then reconstructed in Korea for transportation.

The exhibition concludes with "The Lunch on the Grass." Edouard Manet's work is not there, but interesting works of the same title, which reinterpret Manet are displayed.

Vladimir E. Dubossarsky and Alexander A.Vinogradov changed the characters of the picture to feature prestigious artists. Vincent Van Gogh and Edouard Manet hang around at the picnic scene, naked.

The tale of how Arcadia was depicted in the 20th century ends there, but there is no need to be disappointed. The story is ongoing.

"'The Lunch on the Grass,' which is the end of this exhibition is actually what we see as the start of today's contemporary art," said Ottinger.

The exhibition runs through March 22 next year. Admission is 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won for students and 7,000 won for children. The museum is closed Mondays. For more information, call (02) 325-1077 or visit www.pompidou2008.kr

By Park Min-young

 

(claire@heraldm.com)

[욘복]John Bock rouses natural art instinct

2008.11.25

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To what extent can things be called art? This has been a question asked throughout history and John Bock makes it more complicated by replying: "If a Q-tip falls on the floor, it is art."

Arts Council Korea is offering "2 handbags in a pickle," Bock's first solo exhibition in Asia at Arko Art Center in Dongsung-dong and Insa Art Space in Insa-dong, giving visitors a chance to ponder this question for themselves.

Bock is a German artist who is referred to as the next Joseph Beuys - a master of avant-garde performances who passed away in 1986 - with his unique practices full of visual spectacle, plus sensational and dynamic action. The words most frequently used to describe Bock are "bizarre," "mad" and "grotesque."

It is hard to define what kind of art he does, since he adopts various forms of not only visual art but also literature, music, film, architecture and fashion. But one thing is sure: to Bock, art is simply a native language. He learns and expresses his thoughts by realizing the natural instinct of art, which is enjoying it, experiencing it and playing with it.

"PARA-SCHIZO, ensnarled" (2008), a 2-channel video work by John Bock/Anton Kern, New York; Klosterfelde, Berlin

In the Seoul exhibition, Bock performs - calling it a "lecture" - using various objects, then films it and shows the film, the costumes and objects he used during the performance. Thirty Korean and German staff worked together to help Bock realize his vision. "All the staff are artists," says Kim Hee-jin, curator of Insa Art Space. "It was impossible to work with an ordinary film crew. The only ones that could understand Bock's abstract orders were artists."

Bock said the handbag in the show title means a microcosm that is situated in another, bigger level of the universe, which he calls the pickle. It can be interpreted into whatever text the viewers want it to be, for example, Bock's performance and the film that records it, our body within the biological structure of the space or even Korea's political situation.

"PARA-SCHIZO, ensnarled," Bock's newest film showing in Arko Art Center, is displayed in two screens each featuring a person, offering an example case of how the title of the exposition can be interpreted. A boy and a girl are on separate quests for each other. Their behavior represents different, interpretative symbols of a relationship. They clash, they destroy each other and they reproduce each other in a cycle of mutual interplay.

All Locations in the film are in Korea.

"Korea is like a raw sun," said Bock at a press conference last week. "Almost everything I wanted to involve in my work was against the law in the United States but it is not like that in Korea. Korea is passionate and strong."

Insa Art Space showcases eight short films and four cinematic films that have earned Bock today's international acclaim. In a film titled, "Porcelain Iso-Schizo Kitchen Act of the Neuro-dermitic Barock-Fall inside the coffee Whirlpool and all of this really Expensive," Bock spills different kinds of sauce all over his body and floor. Also, ketchup squirts and fried eggs fly everywhere.

In "Lust Tarte," Bock is upside down, walking on the ceiling with his head stuck in a paper box on the floor. He constantly whispers "I'm scared." At the finale, he draws a woman's eyelash with the swoop of his foot.

Confused? Kim advises that the key to enjoy his work is to not think too hard. "Don't try too hard to find the meanings in it. Take this opportunity to rediscover how fun art used to be."

The exhibition runs through Feb. 8 but is closed on Mondays. Admission is 2,000 won. For more information, call (02) 760-4563 or visit www.arkoartcenter.or.kr

By Park Min-young

 

(claire@heraldm.com)

 

[프레 일겐 인터뷰]European artist blends East, West

08.11.21

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It took exactly nine months for artist Fre Ilgen to make the installation art "Your Long Journey," which now floats in the lobby of the Heungkuk Finance Group building in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul.

"To me, it is like a big baby," the Dutch artist said, chuckling. After months of labor pain, the heavy but colorful 14 pieces of steel, the largest indoor installation in Korea, were born. The curvy lines and abrupt balls hanging here and there are to signify the volatile, unpredictable journey of life.

Ilgen is a well-known installation artist currently based in Germany. His work can be found in many of the biggest cities of the world, such as New York, Zurich and Tokyo. "Your Long Journey" is his second work in Korea. The first one can be found in the Sindorico building in Chungcheong province.

Fre Ilgen with his installation artwork.

His work is like an installation version of Wassily Kandinsky's abstract paintings. "At every point, you will get a different view, it's like a view on life," he said, motioning the lines of the sculpture with his hand.

It is not only Kandinsky who inspired him.

"You will also realize that each piece is related to one another somehow. Everything is connected."

No doubt, this curious artist is very into Taoism and Zen-Buddhism.

"It is very interesting to think that everything is ultimately connected: me, you, this table and my work," he said.

Ilgen purposely did not name the separate pieces to emphasize how each are connected to complete a whole piece. But he encourages viewers to name the pieces freely in whatever way they want.

"For example, I gave a metaphoric name, "Story Teller," to the big sphere on the bottom," he said. "Viewers can touch it, hug it, and push their ear against it to hear what it has to say."

It was through an accidental occasion that he first encountered oriental culture. While he was in Japan making another curvy sculpture, he came across a letter of Japanese calligraphy.

"It looked similar to my work!" he said.

Seeing the unexpected common point, Ilgen was drawn into the fun work of relating western, which is his own, and Eastern culture together.

He hurriedly fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a business card holder embroidered with Korean letters.

"See this ring?" he excitedly points at a Korean letter which looks like a Roman O.

"I have rings also in my sculpture! Like this, if we look for it, we can find things we have in common, culturally."

To Ilgen, art is all about dialogue. In the case of different countries, the key is to build an inter-cultural dialogue.

"We're different, that's ok, but we have to find what's in common, in order to make dialogues.

"But schools only teach the differences of cultures he said. "Did you ever know that Kandinsky was much inspired from Asian culture? Students learn about his great works, but never get to know these details."

Ilgen mentions Arthur Schopenhaur, the great German philosopher, in the next breath.

"Not many know that he was actually very absorbed in Indian and Hindu philosophy."

He hopes that viewers will get to experience 'Your Long Journey' by themselves and understand the many cultures behind it.

"Just take a little time, walk around, and let your eyes follow. Feel free to touch them."

By Park Min-young

 

(claire@heraldm.com)

[실꾸리 사패전]Korea's boudoir culture revealed

08.11.21

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Here is a chance to peek into the dressing rooms of Korean the traditional customs of the Joseon dynasty in particular.

"The Exhibition of Korean Traditional Spool" is running at the Museum of Korean Embroidery in Nonhyun-dong, southern Seoul. A total of 150 spools are displayed.

"The spools, needles and threads reflect women's lives of their time," said Huh Dong-hwa, one of the founding members and the current director of the museum in an interview with The Korea Herald.

"This is the first time an exhibition highlighted one of the specific boudoir cultures. It will be a chance to sympathize with the women of the past."

Korean traditional spools [The Museum of Korean Embroidery]

Established in 1969, The Museum of Korean Embroidery is practically the only institute in Korea that displays the cultural assets of Korean women's boudoir, such as "pojagi," or Korean traditional wrapping clothes, needles, spools and embroidery. It holds more than 3,000 cultural assets, including a couple of treasures. The spools showcased at the exhibition vary in material. Those made with ivory or cow bones were only used inside the palace by the royal family and aristocrats. Commoners used ones made of straw, embroidered cloth or wood.

Look carefully at the spools and viewers can discover engraved letters. People carved little passages hoping for happiness in the family or a baby boy.

"It is amazing how the people of the past managed to do art even on these small things," said Lee Hye-kyu, the curator of the museum.

The founders of the museum busily ran back and forth from antique art markets to collect these items since the 1960s.

"These are very precious items, but Koreans didn't seem to realize that," said Huh. "So we decided to collect them, and preserve them before they all get lost."

Thanks to their efforts, the world now focuses on Korean boudoir culture. The museum has held about 50 exhibitions in many countries, such as the United States, France and Japan.

"About 80 percent of the visitors are foreigners, since the museum is more famous overseas than in Korea," says Lee. "This museum is a must-stop spot for tourists. Including those held overseas, more than 7 million people have come to our exhibitions."

It will also be a relieving experience for Koreans to find out that some of the long forgotten traditional culture still remains, although tucked away in a museum.

The exhibition runs through March 5, 2009. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.bojagii.com

[부부사진전] 'Love Profiles' ups and downs

2008.11.14

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All married couples promise to love each other for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Unfortunately, not all of them keep their vows.

Photographer Lee Eun-joo found 43 high-profile couples who have stayed true to their words. Lee`s exhibition "Profiles in Love," at Sun Gallery in Insa-dong, showcases photos of well-known figures in Korean society and their spouses, including the world-renowned pianist Paik Kun-woo and his wife and former actress Yun Jeong-hee.

Im Kwon-Taek and his wife Chae Ryeong/Paik Gun-woo and his wife Yun Jeong-hee[Photo by Lee Eun-joo]

Lee took photos of the couples in recent times, and displayed them side by side with photos from their past.

Surprisingly, in each photo, the husband and wife look very much alike - in the past, but especially in the present.

"This may be evidence that they are becoming one," says Lee in "Profiles in Love," a book accompanying her exhibition.

"In view of the rising divorce rate among the younger generations, I also wanted to show the images of couples who are on their beautiful journeys as one."

Heart-filled essays or love letters written beside the photos give a hint about the secrets of their love for one another.

Jo Jung-rae, the renowned author of "Taebaek Mountains" and "Arirang," says that he would marry his wife Kim Cho-hye, a poet, again in the next life. "She really does not have any shortcomings, because I simply love all her faults," he says. "I am fortunate and proud to be Kim Cho-hye`s husband."

Im Kwon-taek, who won the Best Director award at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival for "Chihwaseon," writes down his love for his wife Chae Ryeong, a former actress. "My wife, who always silently gives me a boost, calls me a pillar. When she says that, it is much more moving than any line in any movie," he says.

Kang In-sook, wife of Lee O-young, chair professor of Ewha Academy for Advanced Studies and a former minister of Culture and Tourism, talks about how they first met as freshmen and how they now worry about each other`s health. "If you are so desperately afraid of someone`s body being gone, that is, inevitably, love."

The exhibition runs through this weekend at Sun Gallery in central Seoul. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 734-0458 or visit www.sungallery.co.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[조각가 심문섭] Shim Moon-seup blurs boundaries

2008.11.10

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Artist Shim Moon-seup hasn`t held an exhibition in his homeland for so long that it is taking two galleries to bring the Korean public up to date.

Shim, whose works are exhibited worldwide, is holding "The Presentation" at Gallery Hyundai in Sagan-dong and Hakgojae Gallery in Samcheong-dong at the same time - his first here for 12 years. On display are some of the works from his exhibition earlier this year at Palais Royal in Paris and Musee des Arts Asiatiques in Nice.

Gallery Hyundai displays 22 of Shim`s sculptures, photos and drawings, and Hakgojae Gallery 17 of his sculptures.

Shim, 65, a professor at Chung-Ang University, is more famous overseas than in Korea, a main reason why he hasn`t showcased here for a while. He was busy with engagements in some of the world`s most artistic spots -- Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and Osaka.

At every exhibition, Shim`s originality shines.

This time, Shim has once again filled the galleries with creations that fall somewhere between installation and sculpture.

One such piece consists of a wooden board standing on one leg with a dark-wooden chair stuck to one of the ends, displayed at Gallery Hyundai. The artwork could pass for a table, but one cannot be sure it is one, because Shim has planted tall bamboos on it.

 

"The Presentation," bamboo, wood, 2008

"It looks weird, since a table is something that should be in the inside, and bamboo plants are normally found outdoors," Shim said. "But imagine the sun shining on the surface of the wood, and wind whistling through the bamboo leaves. This can be anything viewers imagine it to be."

In his earlier days, Shim focused only on a certain material in itself, pulling out its characters and qualities.

"But one day, I figured out that materials form stories within the relationships with their surroundings," he said. Since then, he has related his materials to their surroundings, letting the works speak for themselves.

"I`m just a messenger between the materials and the viewers," said Shim. "It is my role to present to the viewers something to imagine and talk about based on the stories the materials tell."

There is a constant message that runs through all his work -- that all things are connected and everything rotates in a big cycle.

A giant black wall is pierced with little square boxes to form the letter L in Hakgojae Gallery. Take a look from the pointy corner at first, and then walk behind the wall and take another glance. It seems like one is crossing the line between the inside and the outside, but at some point, viewers realize that there is actually no significant border between them.

Most of his other works also carry a similar message, by signifying various opposites such as the dark and the bright or the open and the closed, and then making the boundaries vague.

Even though his sculptures are eye-catching, do not miss out Shim`s unique photo drawings.

The artist took photos of the spots he wanted to install his work in, and drew the installations on the photos. Then, he re-photographed what he drew, and printed the results.

"Nowadays, the procedure of creating art is also art," Shim said.

"The Presentation" runs through Nov. 25. For more information, call (02) 734-6111 or (02) 739-4937 or go to www.galleryhyundai.com or www.hakgojae.com

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[험블마스터피스] New eye for design in everyday life

2008.11.7

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Post-its, paper clips and ball-point pens are not the first things a person usually thinks about when hearing the word "masterpiece."

The exhibition "Humble Masterpieces - Everyday Marvels of Design," now at Seoul Arts Center, however, challenges visitors to look at them in a new light. The free-of-charge show is organized by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Paola Antonelli, the senior curator of MoMA`s Department of Design and Architecture, visited Seoul on Wednesday to promote the exhibition. Antonelli is known as one of the world`s best design experts, and was recently included in "The Power 100" list of "Art Review."

"Everyday we use dozens of tiny objects, but we do not pay them much attention," Antonelli told the press. "But although modest in size and price, some of these objects are true masterpieces of the art and design, and deserve our admiration."

Antonelli first held the exhibition in 2004 in a warehouse in Queens, New York, while the MoMA building was under renovation. The budget was tight and no pamphlets were prepared, but the exhibition turned out a success. It showcased several times more in the United States and in Europe after that, but this is the first time in Asia.

In an effort to provide visitors with marvelous stories behind these little objects, MoMA did a lot of research.

"Some items with famous back stories were easy to collect, but for some, it took about a year. But it was all worth it," Antonelli said with a grin.

The rule was to pick something that is inexpensive, acquirable somewhere in the world, well-designed, and environment-friendly. It also helps if it has an interesting story behind it.

"When you explain the stories behind them they are even more beautiful," Antonelli said. "Did you know that the hole in the Bic Pen cap is there so that you won`t suffocate when you swallow it by mistake?"

Antonelli said the story behind the "I § NY" logo was her favorite. "I love it because it came out of necessity. In the 1970s, New York was under economic crisis. The city was dirty and there were no tourists. An ad company was hired to promote the city, and there, the famous graphic designer Milton Glaser just scribbled `I § NY` on a paper. The city did not license it, hoping that it could be used everywhere in the world for free."

Antonelli has also found some unique designs in Korea.

"T-money is something I definitely want," Antonelli said. "The suggestion box we put in at the New York exhibition was so overflowing with suggestions that it had to be replaced every three days. Let me know about Korean designs so that I can include them in the next exhibition."

Antonelli expects that this exhibition will be a way people can understand designs from a new perspective.

"People know designs and love designs. You just have to show designs in another way, with respect," she said.

Antonelli has another personal hope. "After seeing the exhibition, I hope children will come home, go into the kitchen and say `do you realize that we have a museum at home already?`"

"Humble Masterpieces -Everyday Marvels of Design" runs through Dec. 31 at the Hangaram Art Museum at Seoul Arts Center. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[명사 부부 사진전] 'Love Profiles' ups and downs

2008.11.14

---

 

Im Kwon-Taek and his wife Chae Ryeong/Paik Gun-woo and his wife Yun Jeong-hee[Photo by Lee Eun-joo]

 

All married couples once promised to love each other for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Unfortunately, not all of them actually manage to keep their vows.

Photographer Lee Eun-joo found 43 high-profile couples who have stayed true to their words. Lee's exhibition "Profiles in Love," at Sun Gallery in Insa-dong, showcases photos of well-known figures in Korean society and their spouses, including the world-renowned pianist Paik Kun-woo and his wife and former actress Yun Jeong-hee.

Lee took the photos of the couples in recent times, and displayed them side by side with photos from their past.

Surprisingly, in each photo, the husband and wife look very much alike -- in the past, but especially in the present.

"This may be evidence that they are becoming one," says Lee in "Profiles in Love," a book accompanying her exhibition.

"In view of the rising divorce rate among the younger generations, I also wanted to show the images of couples who are on their beautiful journeys as one."

Heart-filled essays or love letters written beside the photos give a hint about the secrets of their love for one another.

Jo Jung-rae, the renowned author of "Taebaek Mountains" and "Arirang," says that he would marry his wife Kim Cho-hye, a poet, again in the next life. "She really does not have any shortcomings, because I simply love all her faults," he says. "I am fortunate and proud to be Kim Cho-hye's husband."

Im Kwon-taek, who won the Best Director award at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival for "Chihwaseon," writes down his love for his wife Chae Ryeong, a former actress. "My wife, who always silently gives me a boost, calls me a pillar. When she says that, it is much more moving than any line in any movie," he says.

Kang In-sook, wife of Lee O-young, chair professor of Ewha Academy for Advanced Studies and a former minister of Culture and Tourism, talks about how they first met as freshmen and how they now worry about each other's health. "If you are so desperately afraid of someone's body being gone, that is, inevitably, love."

The exhibition runs through this weekend at Sun Gallery in central Seoul. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 734-0458 or visit www.sungallery.co.kr

By Park Min-young

 

(claire@heraldm.com)

[대구사진비엔날레 리뷰] Daegu Biennale captures charms of photography

2008.11.3

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The international Daegu Photo Biennale 2008 photo festival kicked off on Friday, placing the spotlight on Asia and featuring some 1,500 photos by 200 leading photographers from 10 countries.

"We have a lot of interest in Western photos but don`t really know about Asian photos even though we live in Asia," said Koo Bohn-chang, the biennale`s artistic director. The biennale attracts more interest this year since Koo is one of the top Korean photographers and also a well-known figure around the world.

"This Biennale is focused on three countries of Asia - Korea, China and Japan - and it provides a chance to learn about them," he said.

This year, the main exhibition views the artistic trend of modern photographers as well as that of documentary photos in Asia. Under the theme "Then & Now - Memories of the Future," the biennale seeks a balance between the two roles of photography: art and record.

"Memories of the Future," one of the two main expositions, holds 400 works by modern Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese photographers at EXCO in Daegu. Each has a unique theme related to the countries` socio-cultural background.

"The Sensibility of Life: The Reconfigured Eye" is an exhibition of 12 Korean photographers who offer incisive commentary on modern Korean society. In "The Night Prior to an Event," Yang Jae-kwan criticizes the Korean tendency to put too much emphasis on the cause and result of an event without trying to understand the details or procedures.

 

 

Baek Seung-woo shows an imaginary world in his "Real World" series, for example by placing the Eiffel tower in the middle of Seoul. It is a satire on Koreans who live with fantasies about Western culture.

Fifteen Chinese and Taiwanese photographers express their unique thoughts about life in the exposition "While Alive." The photos reflect various changes China went through in the last 20 years. Chiu I-Chien depicts the hard lives of the common people in Taiwan in his series "Night Market in Taiwan." Liu Lijie expresses her feelings of the miscellaneous and seductive world in the series "Another Episode."

In the exhibit titled "Body Images in Digital Era," 12 Japanese photographers display bold and provocative photos. In "The Three Fates," Yanagi Miwa visualizes the Moirae, who are the three sisters of Greek mythology in charge of fate. The oldest - Cloto - spins human life out of her hair but grows old and miserable because she can no longer control her ever-growing hair. Anrakuju Emi posts a wall full of photos with body parts bitten or invaded by bugs.

"Photographs from 100 Years Ago," the other main show at EXCO, displays 350 rare photos of the three Asian countries back in the days when cameras had just been introduced as a new technology. The unfamiliar faces and the forgotten backgrounds in the black and white photos remind viewers of the importance of taking photos as a means of recording and remembrance.

However, the Korean section seems brief due to the dearth of old photos. "There weren`t many photos of Korea at that time that we could collect, and, actually, I wanted the viewers to realize that," Koo said. "The original role of photography is to record. If we can`t see that, in another 100 years we might still lack photos to remember upon."

Despite the smaller number of older works, some Korean photos come off as quite a discovery. The panorama photo of Gyeongbok Palace taken in 1888 is shown to the public for the first time at this biennale.

"It is the first time for many photos of the olden days to be selected and printed by a photographer," Koo said. "The qualities will be exquisite."

In addition, special exhibitions are held at the Daegu Culture and Arts Center. "Sway in the Space," for instance, introduces 10 photographers under 40 who sport their clever imaginations. The ring-shaped exhibition room is filled with their experimental work. Kim Chun-soo is one of them, an up-and-coming photographer who does not rely on conventional picture-taking methods.

"I take photos from the internet and modify them to create whatever I wanted to say or see," he said.

"Changing Social Landscape: Democratic People`s Republic of Korea 1950~2008" shows pictures of people and the environment in North Korea, taken by 12 well-known photographers like Margaret Bourke-White, a former photographer of Life magazine. The photos are displayed in chronological order, giving viewers a sense of how the country has changed during the last 50 years.

Contrasting scenes show the social gap, such as beaming faces of beautiful girls at a sports game and the shabby looks of an old woman giving a baby a piggy back ride, both taken in 2008.

Meanwhile, "4 Hidden Photographers," directed by Ku himself, exhibits works by Han Young-soo, Shoji Ueda, Zhuang Xueben, and Chang Chao-Tang which deserve better public recognition in consideration of their artistic value.

"The last 10 years was a very progressive time for Korean photography," said Wendy Watriss, a reviewer of this biennale and one of the founders of the FotoFest, the internationally known photographic arts and education organization based in Houston. "The biennale exposes many photos that show an Asian perspective which was not seen outside of Asia."

The Biennale runs through Nov. 16 at EXCO, Daegu Culture and Arts Center, Bongsan Cultural Center, and many other galleries in Daegu city. Admission is 7,000 won. For more information, call (053) 601-5052 or visit the biennale website at www.daeguphoto.com

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[플랫폼 서울] A time to explore arts in Seoul

2008.11.1

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For contemporary art fans, there is no better time to explore Seoul than now.

"Platform Seoul 2008," is in 12 different spaces in the capital city, including the old Seoul Station.

The festival, started three years ago by independent curator Kim Sun-jung, a daughter of founder and former Daewoo chairman Kim Woo-joong, is very experimental in nature. This year the show includes works by 43 artists, including leaders in the field of conceptual art. Featured artists include the late Salvador Dali, Dan Graham, Martin Creed and Tino Sehgal.

The theme of this year`s festival is "I have nothing to say and I am saying it," taken from American composer and author John Cages` 1961 book "Silence." In terms of the festival, "It can be interpreted as `I have nothing to show and I am showing it,`" said Kim Sun-jung.

The entries in the festival are not just to look at. They offer a sensory experience and invite viewers to become participants to complete the works.

One notable thing about the festival is the way the individual exhibitions bring together imagery, sound, light, dance and theater, all of which interact with the time and space in each venue.

The displays in the old Seoul Station, for example, reflect the special historical and socio-cultural context of the building. The station is slated for remodeling next year, so this will be the last chance to see its original interior.

Yun Dong-koo installed a streamline-shaped structure of semitransparent netting with twinkling golden particles, which continuously rotates and moves up and down.

 

Martin Creed, "Work No.965, Half the Air in a Given Space," 2008

 

"It implies that time still goes by within this station that has been put to a stop," explained a guide at Seoul Station.

In "Bird`s Eye View," Ham Yang-ah shows a brand new view of Seoul Station through a video filmed by a micro camera, which she attached to a pigeon`s body. Ham focused on the fact that pigeons always gather near the station.

Janet Cardiff, a German artist, installed 40 speakers in a room that was once a popular restaurant. Each speaker plays a separate voice.

Also a performance, "Great Journey of Princess Bari 2008" by Musical Theater Baramgot is performed at the station every Wednesday through Saturday. The traditional mythic tale of Princess Baridegi is showcased in a modern fashion with music, dance, installations and multimedia.

The festival is also in full bloom at Sagan-dong and Dongsung-dong in Jongno-gu.

An interesting maze is prepared at Artsonje Center. Jeppe Hein, a German artist, created his "Invisible Labyrinth" with no physical walls. Visitors must wear a headset which is available at the entrance. The headset guides the wearer through the labyrinth by vibrating when he or she heads the wrong way.

Nearby in Kukje Gallery, Surasi Kusolwong, a Thai artist, is holding a performance, "Golden Chance." Kusolwong hides gold necklaces here and there in the building and asks visitors to find them. Those who find any actually get to keep them. His performance aims to get audiences to participate in his work and enjoy it. When The Korea Herald visited, some participants found the necklaces and took them home.

An eye-catching show awaits visitors at doART Seoul where a Chinese artist Xu Zhen performs "In Just a Blink of an Eye." A performer, supported by hidden apparatus inside his clothes, is seen frozen in the act of falling backwards. Move closer and viewers can see that not everything is frozen, the performer`s eyes, which slowly close and open.

Children will favor Martin Creed`s "Work No. 965, Half the Air in a Given Space" at Gallery SUN contemporary. The English artist has filled half the space in the gallery with purple balloons. Visitors are welcomed to jump into this balloon pool and enjoy the bouncy atmosphere.

A guided tour is available at all exhibition Locations. It is definitely recommended in the case of the old Seoul Station, where the guide not only introduces the artwork but also surprises visitors by performing Tino Sehgal`s work "This is about" on the way.

The festival runs through Nov. 23 at Artsonje Center, Gallery Yemac, Gallery SUN contemporary, Kukje Gallery, doART Seoul, PKM Gallery, Weibang Gallery, Songwon Art Center, ONE AND J. Gallery, GaGallery, Lock Museum, and the old Seoul Station in central Seoul.

Tickets are 6,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for students at Artsonje Center and the old Seoul Station. The rest of the venues are admission-free. For detailed information, visit the festival website at www.platformseoul.org

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)

[연예인 사진작가들] Celebrities unite to host a photo exhibition

2008.9.17

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Digital cameras are very popular in Korea, and many people rival professional photographers in their enthusiasm, if not in actual skill.

Entertainers are no exception to the fad.

In fact, four celebrities - singer Kang Won-rae, rapper Baek Seong-hyeon, comedian Lee Byeong-jin, and singer and artist Lee Sang-eun - are now showing their works at Gallery Iang in an exhibition titled, "Moments in Time - Atelier in Everyday Life."

The photos in the exhibition mostly generate heartwarming feelings in their viewers, which is one of the exhibit`s purposes: Part of the earnings will be donated to the Beautiful Fund to give more cultural and educational opportunities to underprivileged children.

Comedian Lee Byeong-jin`s photographs are witty. In "A Scene with Marshmallows," Lee took pictures of hay bundles, which he calls marshmallows.

"My photos need additional explanations next to them," Lee said on the opening day earlier in the month. He pointed at "Happy Imagination," a picture of a window above a washstand. Beyond the window, viewers can see giraffes and hippopotamuses roaming peacefully.

"I imagined what it would be like to live with these animals, if hippopotamuses ate my dirty laundry," Lee said. "I was in the bathroom of the Seoul Grand Park for an hour waiting for the giraffe to appear in the middle of the window."

The comedian`s love of photography is well-known.

Lee published a photo essay "Neglect of a Second" in 2006. He is also an active participant in an online photographers` community of the same name.

Lee took up photography six years ago. "Back then, I used to have more than 50 cameras," he said. He now only uses three of his favorites.

But Lee dismisses those who label him a professional photographer.

"I`m just an amateur who happens to love taking pictures," said Lee.

Baek Seong-hyeon, a member of the pop group "Koyote," used to make a living as a photographer before he became a rapper. He was only 10 years old when he discovered his love for photography.

"Every time we went on school trips, I was always running around taking pictures of my friends," Baek said.

People seem to be Baek`s favorite topic. Many of his works in this exhibition such as "An Old Man and Romance" or "With You" put the spotlight on ordinary people.

 

Photo by Baek Seong-hyun

 

"Once someone scolded me for taking pictures without telling them ... I just take pictures of the random moments that give me a certain feeling," he said.

The best thing about photography? The freewheeling photographer is certain of the answer.

"That I don`t have to negotiate with anyone. I work on my own and make my own decisions," Baek said.

Kang Won-rae, a member of the group "Clon," displays many photos of the disabled in wheelchairs. The photos carry extra meaning, considering that he himself became disabled following a motorbike accident in 2000.

It is hard to casually walk past the photo "I Can Cross It," taken by Kang`s brother Kang Won-do. The sight of Kang Won-rae struggling to cross a stream in his wheelchair is, to say the least, moving.

Lee Sang-eun, a singer and an artist, is the only female photographer in this exhibition. She captures sensuous moments and things from everyday in a stylish manner.

"Moments in Time - Atelier in Everyday Life" runs through Sept. 28 at Namseoul University Art Center Gallery Iang. Admission is free.

For more information, call (02)-3672-0201 or visit www.galleryiang.com

By Park Min-young

(claire@heraldm.com)