This work by Kim Bum-soo is part of the section, “Rediscovery of Image,” at the “Creative Mind” exhibit, Savina Museum of Contemporary Art. / Courtesy of Savina Museum of Contemporary Art

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Stimulate your creativity this summer by learning and understanding contemporary art. The Savina Museum of Contemporary Art is holding an exhibition ``Creative Mind,'' aimed at helping visitors better understand the creative process of artists and develop one's own creativity.

``We currently live in a society where we are asked for new creative ideas everyday. We can easily find intellectuals but it is harder to find people with fresh new ideas. We crave for something new and exciting. As a response to this, the team of art experts here in Savina Museum planned and displayed `Creative Mind' to stimulate new ideas,'' curator Hwang Jung-in said.

Sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, ``Creative Mind,'' features 45 sculptures, paintings, photographs and videos by 20 artists. The exhibition runs through Aug. 15.

The main idea behind the exhibit is that by observing art, viewers will be able to understand the artist's mind and also learn how to become a creative thinker.

Can art really help stimulate one's creative juices? According to Hwang, the answer is yes.

``This is because viewing art will allow you to use both sides of your brain evenly. For example, an artist creates his artwork in order to express his feelings by using lines, shade, and color, etc. What does this mean? In order to make a masterpiece, both the right side and left side of your brain both need to be developed and used. Having only one side of the brain developed would not be possible to make such a masterpiece,'' Hwang said.

The exhibit is divided in four distinct sections. ``Mind 1 Looking the World Upside Down'' challenges viewers to take a new look at easily recognizable images. Another section ``Mind 2 Rediscovery of the Image'' features artworks that allow multiple interpretations.

In ``Mind 3 Expanding One's Point of View,'' the audience is asked to look beyond what they can observe, and use all their senses to fully appreciate the artworks.
In the last section, ``Mind 4. Harmony of Logic and Emotion'' features artworks that stimulate both the left and right side of the brain

To better understand the exhibit, a free explanation of the exhibition is available for adults at 3 p.m. weekdays, and 11a.m. and 4 a.m. on weekends.

There are also special programs for grade school students. The ``Black Box of Creativity'' workshop is available at 10:30 am and 3:30 am, through Aug. 15. Children will be able to make their own artwork at the workshop. It costs 10,000 won.

An English program "Open your Mind! Make it Possible" is available every Sunday at 10:30 am for grade school students. The program costs 6,000 won and includes an explanation of the exhibition in English and image drawing.

Admission is 2,000 won for adults and 1,000 won for children. Savina Museum of Contemporary Art is located near Anguk Station (Subway Line 3, Exit 1). The museum is closed Mondays. Visit www.savinamuseum.com.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr