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| Visitors take photos of handicrafts made with the traditional Korean paper "hanji" at the exhibition, "Hanji: Paper of Life," at the Castello Svevo in Bari, Italy. Courtesy of Korea Crafts & Design Foundation |
By Park Han-sol
A colorful "hanji" wonderland has unfolded in the Italian port city of Bari.
The exhibition, "Hanji: Paper of Life," which runs until July 25 at a museum that is housed within the massive 13th-century fortress, Castello Svevo, introduces the traditional Korean paper made with the inner bark of the mulberry tree from its centuries-old production process to its bright-colored contemporary paper handicrafts.
The show has been co-organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Crafts & Design Foundation (KCDF) as part of "Korea Week Bari 2022," which has been hosting a string of performances and events related to K-pop and films, as well as traditional music, dance, crafts and games since May 21.
This is the first time in three years for the Korea Week cultural series, previously held in other major cities in Italy including Rome, Milan and Naples, to return to its former scale.
Through videos, the exhibition presents how Korea's centuries-old "webal" sheet formation technique preserved in different regions of Korea allows hanji's fibers to be more closely woven and entangled, making it more resistant and sturdy.
The paper is also known for its durability due to its extremely low impurities. It uses mulberry bark without any other additives, which is boiled with lye solely made from natural plant ashes to remove any non-cellulosic elements.
Such unique qualities made the paper's presence permeate every corner of people's lives in Korea in the past. It became the central material for everyday items like fans and umbrellas. Traditional Korean houses, or "hanok," were covered with paper from floor to walls as well as windows.
And nowadays, hanji has also found its way into a variety of handicrafts, evident from 125 items born from the collaboration with domestic craft artists that are on display. These include aroma diffusers, necklaces, face masks, diaries, plates, glasses, ink pens, lamps, vases and aprons.
"In Italy, one of the leading countries in terms of cultural asset restoration, the reputation of hanji is growing," a KCDF official said in a statement.
"Through 'Hanji: Paper of Life,' we hope to promote not only the charm of hanji as paper but also its versatility and superiority that go beyond its status as paper material to the local Italian audience."
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