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The scorching sun or the pouring rain can be tiresome, but summer vacation is too short to waste on the couch.
If a trip to the beach is too much, why not head for an exhibition underway in Seoul?
Many are starting this week, from blockbuster shows all the way from far away continents to very Korean exhibitions filled with oriental paintings. The choice is yours. Enjoy!
"Miffy at the Museum"
Our beloved childhood character Miffy has visited Seoul for the summer. Taking place at the Seoul Arts Center, "Miffy at the Museum" is the character's first official show in Korea.
Miffy's creator Dick Bruna, who still draws the character six days a week at the age of 81, displays some of his original drawings. Visitors can also see 2,000 pieces of his earlier work as a book designer before he came up with the hit character.
Korean contemporary artists also participated in this exhibition through reinterpretations of Miffy. Whimsical sculptures, installations and exciting works of interactive media greet visitors.
One-hundred celebrities, including movie director Bong Jun-ho and actress Choi Yeo-jin also designed their own versions of Miffy for the show.
The exhibition runs through Aug. 30 at Hangaram Art Museum at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets are 15,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1705~5.
"Voyage to the World of illustration"
Anyone who has enjoyed fairy tale books will be happy to find hundreds of illustrations displayed at the first floor of COEX this summer.
More than 420 works by 55 renowned illustrators from all over the world are showcased at the exhibition "Voyage to the World of illustration."
The genres vary from fairy tale illustrations to advertisement illustrations.
Most of the participating artists are world-famous, including Anthony Browne, Barbara McClintock, Herve Tullet, John Burningham and Robert Ingpen.
Anthony Browne in particular is popular among Korean mothers. Visitors can find the original drawing of Browne's famous fairytale book, "Gorilla."
The exhibition runs through Aug. 23 at COEX in Samsung-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, visit www.illust2009.co.kr or call (02) 6000-0030.
"Funny! Funny! Performance Art Gallery"
"Funny! Funny! Performance Art Gallery" at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts offers a full-course show from looking at paintings, enjoying performances to experiencing various art programs.
With "Light" and "Color" as its basic theme, the show features more than 30 impressionist paintings, a play about Jean-Claude Monet and many playgrounds where kids can learn how to paint like Monet and Georges Seurat.
The paintings at the show are not original but certified copies, so kids can feel free to touch them.
The show runs through Sept. 27 at Sejong Center near Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. Tickets are 15,000 won. For more information, visit www.thinkbridge.co.kr or call (02) 578-0262.
"Hello. Into. Ink, Paper. 2"
If you are tired of all the Western art, how about some Korean paintings for a change?
Hello Museum introduces Korean paintings by seven young Korean artists at the exhibition "Hello. Into. Ink, Paper. 2."
"There are many blockbuster exhibitions for famous foreign artists but exhibitions for Korean paintings are rare. Children only get to learn about Korean art in school. This exhibition can give them a chance to meet Korean art," said museum director Kim Yssac.
"Kids can find it difficult to understand ancient paintings for the first time. So we prepared works by contemporary Korean painters."
The paintings are familiar, easy and fun. Among the exhibits, a nice-looking tiger gives a broad smile, showing all of his bright white teeth. Named "Happy Hoya," this painting can teach children about the importance of health.
Reservations are obligatory to receive a docent tour. It takes about 70 minutes, and is provided by professional curators who majored in art education or children's education. Following the tour, children not only get to see art but participate in various experience programs. The tour is also available in English.
The exhibition runs through Sep. 30 at Hello Museum in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets for the docent tour and full one day experience are 20,000 won for kids and 2,000 won for parents. Regular admission to the museum is 5,000 won. For more information, visit www.hellomuseum.com or call (02) 562-4420.
"Junk Art: From Trash to Green Art"
Samsung Children's Museum will offer the exhibition "Junk Art: From Trash to Green Art" to teach children about environmental protection.
The winning works of the Junk Art Contest, hosted by the Korea Environment & Resources Corporation, will be on display. Art made of various recycled goods such as broken down motorcycles, old bottles and newspapers are original and interesting.
Some of the works will be hidden here and there in the museum to make it more fun for the kids. Children will receive a kit at the exhibition which will help them find the hidden works and also think about the environment. Kids who complete the kit will be given an eco-friendly gift.
The exhibition runs from July 14 to Aug. 30 at Samsung Children's Museum in Jamsil, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 3,000 won to 5,000 won. For more information, visit www.samsungkids.org or call (02) 2143-3600.
"Mommy, Photography is Easy!"
Ever wondered what "limited edition" really means in photography? Gallery Kong is holding the special exhibition "Mommy, Photography is Easy!" to tell visitors many secrets about photography.
Divided into five sections, the exhibition explains from A to Z about color photos, black-and-white photos, printing technologies, know-how in making photography and editions.
The actual works from the gallery's collection by many local and international photographers are used as examples.
It runs through July 31 at Gallery Kong in Palpan-dong, central Seoul. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.gallerykong.com or call (02) 738-7776.
(claire@heraldm.com)
By Park Min-young
