Photo exhibition unveils beauty of Latvia's amber stones
Latvian Ambassador to Korea Peteris Vaivars delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition, titled “The Secrets of Amber” at Soorim Cultural Foundation Dongdaemun-gu, central Seoul, Jan. 15. The exhibition features Latvian photographer Andris Zegners's work documenting amber. / Embassy of Latvia
By Yi Whan-woo
The Embassy of Latvia in Korea, jointly with the Soorim Cultural Foundation, is hosting an exhibition of photos of amber, the fossilized tree resin that has served as a natural cultural symbol of Latvia.
The exhibition, titled “The Secrets of Amber,” is taking place at the foundation in Dongdaemun-gu, central Seoul, through Jan. 31.
It features the works of Latvian photographer Andris Zegners who, using microphotography, reveals what is inside amber such as insects preserved for millions of years.
The exhibition comes as part of efforts to introduce Latvian culture to Korea.
In that regard, Latvian Ambassador to Korea Peteris Vaivars described amber as “one of the greatest treasures of Latvia’s natural resources.”
Described as “northern gold” in ancient times, amber has been found on the Baltic coast.
It especially shaped the rich culture and history of Latvia as it was a valued component in jewelry and was exported to Egypt, Greece and Syria through the “Amber Road” — an ancient trade route from coastal areas of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.
Latvian Ambassador to Korea Peteris Vaivars, fourth from right, and other dignitaries pose during the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition, titled “The Secrets of Amber” at Soorim Cultural Foundation in Dongdaemun-gu, central Seoul, Jan. 15. The exhibition features Latvian photographer Andris Zegners’s work documenting amber. / Embassy of Latvia
“This exhibition is particularly interesting as the amber is displayed in microphotographs that is an innovative approach to presenting the stone — giving us a unique chance to understand the ancient world by looking at a close-up and inside of this ancient jewel with stunning details of insects preserved in amber millions of years ago,” Ambassador Vaivars said during the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Jan. 15.
Among the guests were ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps, Soorim Cultural Foundation executives and Zegners.
In a separate speech, Zegners described amber as not only “an excellent material to make jewelry but a wonderful, mysterious object with a very special potential for photography.”
“My artistic interest is linked to a microphotography to reveal well-known natural elements — flowers, water, stone, and even light from another perspective,” he said. “My surprise was really great when, using micro possibilities and special lights I met so close ancient small creatures and plants that existed 40 million years ago.”
Zegners, according to the embassy, is one of the most remarkable Latvian artists of his generation.
His areas of interest include the structures and textures of various objects and natural elements following a creative transformation.
Zegners’ works have been displayed in the Baltic States, Australia, China, Finland, India, Luxembourg, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
He held an exhibition in Korea from Dec. 12 to 30 in Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province.
The embassy and foundation also jointly organized a photo exhibition on Latvian architecture from May to June last year.