[지금은? 한국 고미술에 투자할 타이밍ㅋ]

한동안 침체되어있던 고미술이

경매에서 다시 현대미술을 압도하고 있다고 하네요 +_+

 

Show to help revive Korean antique art

 

Korean antique art was pushed into the background of major auctions during the last few years while Western contemporary art ruled the market. Market insiders assumed that continuous forgeries of antique art were the main reason. According to the Korean Antiques Association, 52.7 percent of the 1,885 items that asked for expert analysis between 2006 and 2008 were judged as fake.

This year, however, antique art seems to be back on track, proving the old belief that "contemporary art flourishes amid a bullish market and antique art prospers during a depression."

"Now is the best time to collect antique art. Its price, which has slumped during the last few years, is recovering. Antique art has even been surpassing contemporary art in auctions this year," said Kim Jong-chun, president of the Daboseong Antique Shop.

"Antique art contains the culture and history of our ancestors, which contemporary art does not have. We will continue to support the popularization of antique art," he added.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary and to boost up the antique art market, Daboseong Antique is holding "Special Exhibitions of Antique in Life" in its gallery in Gyeongun-dong, central Seoul.

Daboseong Antiques first opened in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul in 1984 and moved to the current address in 2000. For the past 25 years it has collected and showcased various antiques from commoners' everyday craftworks to ceramics used in royal palaces.

This exhibition showcases more than 300 national exhibition-level antiques from the period of the Three States to the Joseon Dynasty.

"These are very valuable pieces. Some will surely be given 'Treasure' titles by the government if we register them," explained Kim.

The exhibits, ranging from wooden shoes for rainy days, to women's delicate accessories, to fish scale-decorated-tables and gilt bronze towers, attract not only antiquers but also outsiders.

Among the exhibits, the "Hwagaksibjangsangmunham," or the "Ten longevity symbols-engraved-horn work box" from the Joseon Dynasty stands out.

The 10 colorful longevity symbols including cranes, pine trees and deers made of cow horns are brilliantly, yet delicately engraved onto the 46 cm wide, 31.5 cm long and 25 cm tall box. None of the patterns, which are packed on all six sides of the box, are duplicated.

Some paintings by legendary artists such as Jang Seung-up -- a 19th century painter who was featured in 'Chihwaseon,' a movie that grabbed best director award at 2002 Cannes Film Festival -- can also be found at the exhibition.

Jang painted a flock of wild geese flying over a field of reeds on his way to Japan with some envoys. He named the work "Noando," taking the letters 'No,' which signifies reed and 'an' which signifies wild goose.

As "Noan" altogether means "Comfortable life at old age," the painting was a hit in the late Joseon Dynasty.

The exhibition runs through July 28 at Daboseong Antique Gallery. For more information, call (02) 730-7566 or visit www.daboseong.co.kr

(claire@heraldm.com)

By Park Min-young

[다음파티에선 한복을 입어보세요!] Shine at parties with hanbok

If you want to be the best dresser at your next party, consider wearing hanbok to it.

"Conservative but graceful" might be the usual stereotype about hanbok, but designer Park Seon-ok and photographer Bae Ji-hwan have proved that it can be just as fun and sexy as other party clothes.

At the fashion show-like exhibition "Space captured by HANBOK" underway at Insa Art Center in Gwanhun-dong, 20 super-hot hanbok and 10 photographs of top models such as Jessica Gomez wearing them are on display.

The exhibition starts with some antique hanbok that were actually worn in the 1950s through the 1970s. Park reproduced ones that were in too bad a shape to be showcased.

Visitors who thought hanbok at that time only came in black and white or with some basic colors should be ready for a surprise.

The materials vary from chiffon, velvet to mesh and the colors put to use seem unlimited.

"There has always been a trend in hanbok, just like the clothes nowadays," Park said.

"For example, hanbok became more showy and gorgeous in the 1970s and 80s when Western culture started to influence Korea. Meanwhile high quality silk hanbok has always been the steady outfit for important occasions."

These days, hanbok is rising as a hot item for parties, said Park.

Seeing the rest of the hanbok at the show, viewers might wonder if they can really be called hanbok.

The "jeogori," or the hanbok jacket, is made of materials that scarcely come to mind when the word "hanbok" is used, such as spangles, denim or lace. Short jeogori that reveal most of the breast or see-through dresses are also showcased. Models pose in high heels wearing hanbok in the photos.

"The striped spangles take the motif from multicolored hanbok, and the short jeogori is inspired from the ones Korean women used to wear few decades ago. My works might seem too 'partyish' but they are all actually based on our traditional hanbok," Park said.

The exhibition runs through July 14 at Insa Art Center in Gwanhun-dong, central Seoul. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.insaartcenter.co.kr or call (02) 736-1020.

(claire@heraldm.com)

By Park Min-young

WooBar에서의 BabyBuzz ♥

장마시즌이자 저의 생일 시즌(?) 을 맞이하여 ㅋㅋ

우바로 향했습니다 ㅋㄷ

 

이름은 들어봤으나, 심지어 가보기도 했으나 거기가 우바인지는 몰랐던 나 -_-;

장소와 이름을 매치시키지 못하는 길치;도아니고 이건 뭘까요 ㅋㄷ

 

흠- 암튼 날이 날이니만큼 괜히 더 예뻐보이구 좋구 그렇더라구요 ♥

꺄아아~

 

가장 좋아하는 깔루아나 베일리스를 찾아서 별생각없이 주문한 baby buzz!

그렇데 요렇게- 우유병에 나왔습니다 >▽< ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

 

완젼 왕귀엽!ㅋㅋㅋ

맛과 완젼 200% 어울리는!ㅋㅋㅋ

첨엔 마시기 민망하기도 했으나, 조금씩 마시다보니 흥에 겨워 민망한지도 몰랐다는 ㅋ

 

짧은 시간이었지만 요 우유병 덕분에 내내 깔깔대며 시간을 보냈답니다♥

[승마, 제 2의 골프 될까?] Horsing around

It has been about six months since Lee Young-sil, a 26-year-old Chinese teacher, started going horseback riding at an equestrian club in Paju city, Gyeonggi Province every Saturday. She does not have her own horse, but there is one that she usually rides on. After gently combing the horse's hair, Lee hopped on for her lesson.

Her trainer stayed right beside her for the first few months, but Lee is now skilled enough to run around the track by herself. Still, her trainer is nearby to help whenever she needs it.

"I started out of curiosity, and the need for diet. Now I don't think it is any different than other sports, but maybe better, because it is great for making your body. Look, my belly got flat," Lee said patting her stomach.

Horseback riding, which used to be considered a sport for the wealthy, has become more familiar with the public in Korea lately.

"The population that wants to learn horseback riding increases as the national income rises. They say that after golf, comes horseback riding, then yacht and then light aircraft. Korea is now on its beginning steps for the horseback riding boom," said Hyun Sang-hun, director of You-eal Leisure Town, one of the equestrian clubs in Paju city, Gyeonggi Province.

In Japan, for instance, the horseback riding population shot up 89 percent in 1989 when the country's per capita income topped $20,000.

To meet up with the rising demand, You-eal Leisure Town started a coupon system which is open to everyone. Before, the club was exclusive for members only.

"We started the coupon system so that horseback riding can be more popularized, and yes, riders increased since we started the system," said Hyun.

One can purchase 10 coupons and use it within two months. One 45 to 50 minute-long lesson costs a coupon.

About 10 different types of horses - from miniature types of below 100 kg to full-grown males of over 1 ton - are ready at the club. Riders are recommended the horses that best fit their sizes.

"Anyone can enjoy horseback riding, from little children to the elderly, if one does not have any serious health problems. Riding a horse not only helps lose weight but also makes you healthier," said Hyun.

The Rural Development Administration and a Jeju National University research team released their study results in May that horseback riding helps reduce body fat and grow muscle strength.

The team surveyed 10 riders including five obese women for the past six months. During the period, the riders enjoyed horseback riding two times per week.

Their anaerobic threshold value, which is the core index in measuring aerobic exercise abilities, increased 25 percent, oxygen uptake per heart rate increased 36 percent and maximum oxygen uptake per 1kg body weight increased 21 percent.

Body fat and abdominal fat each decreased by 7 and 2.2 percent and their level of satisfaction regarding work and life each increased by 6.7-12 percent to 3 percent.

Hyun also mentioned that the sport is actually used as a way to cure patients with autism or detrimental spinal conditions.

"Horses are live animals, so this sport requires communication between the rider and the horse. The rhythmical stimulation and the mutual connection while riding on the horse are good for the patients. There are special horses trained for the job," Hyun said.

Like babies or puppies, horses love being touched and cared. As one gets more intimate with a horse, the horse will feel more comfortable around the person and the ride will go smoother.

"Women are better at caressing the horses like a baby and communicating with them," Hyun added.

There are currently about 200 equestrian clubs in Korea and some 1,200 farmhouses are breeding more than 25,000 horses. Around 20,000 people are enjoying the sport.

To boost the horse-related industry and popularize horseback riding, the government plans to put in some 270 billion won ($213 million) by 2012.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries presumed that Korea's horse-related industry is worth 4.860 trillion won, and announced that it will support horseback riding business which is worth 260 billion won.

"We will establish a base to better breed and distribute horses through encouraging horseback riding and the consummation of horse meat. Then we will strengthen our international competency by improving local race horses," said No Su-hyun, an official at the ministry's livestock policy bureau, at a symposium hosted by Korea Racing Authority on May 21.

KRA is actively participating in this plan.

"We will increase the number of equestrian clubs to 500 by 2012 so that at least 2.4 million people could have experienced the sport by then," said Lee Jong-gu, a KRA official.

KRA has given free horseback riding lessons from January through February to promote the sport. People learned at insured private equestrian clubs and KRA supported the tuition fees.

The program was a hit, with more than 1,200 participants. The second season of the program, which runs from June through July, has already started in 40 clubs throughout the country.

Horseback riding, however, is still getting some cold stares for being quite a pricy hobby. The price varies per clubs but 10 coupons cost between 500,000 and 700,000 won.

It is not just the matter of money, however, golfers, who are more at ease affording luxurious sports, are not so excited about horseback riding either.

"The equestrian clubs are too far away from the city. Yes, golf courses are far away too, but at least there are some golf facilities in the city where beginners or ones who have only little spare time can practice at," said Park, a 51-year-old male golf fan.

Some point out that horseback riding is dull compared to other competitive sports.

"You just walk around and around the club on a horse. It won't get much fun unless you are good enough to compete on a race course," said office worker Shin, in his 40s.

(claire@heraldm.com)

By Park Min-young

[여름방학맞이 재밌는 전시들] Fun exhibitions open for summer

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

천둥번개,김치전,탐구생활

 

정말정말 신기한 아침이었어요+_+

 

 

출근하는데 하늘이 컴컴하고 몬가 기운이 우중충한게,

툭 건드리면 비오겠다 싶었는데 안오더라구요. 몬가 아슬아슬.

 

버스를 타고 가면서 항상그렇듯 푸우우욱 잠이 들었는데,

내릴 때쯤 눈 떠보니 땅이 축축!

버스 탄 새 비가 왔다가 갠거예요+_+

 

물 안 튀기게 조심조심 뛰어서 회사에 들어왔는데,

자리에 앉으니까 조금 이따부터 또 천둥번개 우르릉쾅쾅 난리가 나는거 있죠+_+

 

(사실은 어제밤부터 천둥번개치고 계속 비오고 했다던데,

워낙 푹 자는 터라 그런 건 모름-_-;)

 

비가 마구마구 오는데 뽀송뽀송하게 실내에 있으려니까 기분이 뭔가 묘한 ㅋㅋ

 

비 완젼완젼 쏟아지는 날 뽀송뽀송하고 상쾌한 집 안에서 초 깨끗한 이불 덮고

김치전같은거 해먹으면서 좋아하는 책 보고 티비보고 전화하고 그런♡ㅋㅋ

 

실제로 그랬었는지 항상 그러고 싶었던거라 그랬다고 생각하는건지는 모르겠지만;

암튼 그런 생각이 두둥실 떠오르면서 갑자기 센치해짐ㅋㅋㅋ

 

이때 중요한 것은 '안 나가길 잘했다'싶을 정도로

챠~~하는 소리를 내면서 비가 내려야 한다는 것ㅋㅋ

(너무 이기적인가-_-)

 

생각해보니 초등학교때 쯤 그런 날이 있었던 것 같기도 하고....

(고등학교때는 학교에 있느라, 대학교 때는 노느라 집에 없었겠죠?!ㅋ)

 

방학맞이 어린이 전시들 모아서 기사쓰는 중이라 그런 것 같기도하고...

문득 이것이 떠올랐습니다:

 

 

ㅋㅋㅋ

애들 사이에서 탐구생활을 두껍게 두껍게 만드는 경쟁이 붙어서

막 전기콘센트까지 만들어서 붙인적도 있었는데 ^-^;ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

 

요즘도 있으려나, 탐구생활?!ㅋ

 

아아, 아무튼 오늘은 야근하는 날ㅋㄷ

 

 

[페르난도 보테로 전 리뷰] Botero invites viewers into Latin culture

Botero invites viewers into Latin culture

 

Are all Latin people this fat? Colombian artist Fernando Botero's paintings make viewers wonder.

Plump South Americans dressed in colorful clothes stare directly at the viewers with expressionless faces. Contrary to the dull figures, the rest of the details on the paintings are surprisingly delicate - one can easily find out the figures' social statuses or the relations between the figures through them.

"No, I don't paint fat people," said Botero at a press conference in Seoul on Monday.

"I was greatly inspired from the Italian style of art which emphasized volume since the 13th century. I too, simply try to arouse sensibilities by expressing volume."

Known as the "aesthetician of corpulence," Botero is one of the best-selling artists in the world and is recognized as the representative of Latin art of the current era.

To see his works, Korean fans can head to National Museum of Contemporary Art in Deoksugung, which is currently hosting the artist's solo exhibition.

More than 90 pieces of Botero's paintings and sculptures from the artist's own private collection are on display. Most of the works were completed from 1985-1992.

The exhibition is divided into five parts - "Still Life," "Versions," "Latin Life," "Latin People," "Bullfight" and "Circus." Three sculptures are installed outdoors, in front of the museum.

Among the exhibits, the paintings at the "Versions" section will look awfully familiar. Botero parodied some masterpieces of old masters like "Infanta Margarita Teresa of Spain in White Dress" by Velazquez and "The Duchess of Osuna" by Goya. Botero then kindly named the works "After Velazquez" or "After Goya."

The figures, however, have gotten some "Botero-ish" twists and appear much more stout and somehow more "Latin" than the original.

"I want my paintings to have roots, because it is those roots that give the work a kind of meaning and truth. But I want everything I go though to be permeated with the soul of Latin America," explained Botero.

In the rest of the sections, viewers can take a peek into South American lives.

Botero vividly highlights the typical Latin cultures such as passionate dances, soccer games, bullfights or circuses. The various races of the figures presented on the canvases through different skin colors add to the reality.

"My works do not require much explanation. They are universal, as they basically show diverse meanings of life. I hope Korean viewers will get to sympathize with my paintings," Botero said.

The exhibition runs through Sept. 17 at National Museum of Art, Deoksugung in central Seoul. The museum is located inside Deoksugung, near City Hall station in Seoul (subway lines 1 and 2). Tickets range from 4,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, visit botero.moca.go.kr or call (02) 368-1414.

(claire@heraldm.com)

By Park Min-young