[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)