Evolution of kitchens

By Do Je-hae

• Published May 1, 2014 4:06 PM KST
• Updated May 1, 2014 4:06 PM KST

The modern kitchen: exhibition takes a look at explorations in culinary intelligence

By Do Je-hae

Cooking is a creative activity that is fun, rewarding and healthy. More people are turning to cooking as a hobby and a way to unwind after a hard day.

Anyone who has had any experience in the kitchen will agree that cooking is more enjoyable and efficient when working in a space that looks good and is also functional.

For those who are searching for ideas to incorporate more functionality and sophistication into their kitchens, a relevant exhibition is underway at the Kumho Museum of Art in Seoul. Entitled, "Kitchen and Design of the 20th Century,’’ it is a unique opportunity to gather useful insights about the history of kitchens, particularly the design innovations in kitchenware as well as kitchen and dining furniture.

"The exhibition introduces kitchen models since the 1920s thorough the 1990s, while showcasing original kitchenware,’’ said Kim Youn-ok, the curator of the exhibition. "Visitors will be able to see how kitchen designs have evolved throughout the 20th century and learn how new materials and technologies have been used to produce new kitchenware and kitchen models.’’

The exhibition, which runs until June 29, is worth visiting for anyone who has an interest in cooking or embellishing their kitchens.

To see the exhibition chronologically, visitors are advised to start on the second floor with the Frankfurt Kitchen model from 1926-27 by Austrian architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky. A milestone in domestic architecture, the Frankfurt Kitchen is considered the first modern fitted kitchen designed with a unified concept for efficiency.

Then, viewers should head to the third floor which contains other kitchen models throughout the 20th century and travel to the basement, where kitchenware from the world’s most popular brands are on display. The first floor is mostly dedicated to an exhibition by Hansaem, a local designer of kitchen furniture and a sponsor of the exhibition.

The exhibitions run every day except Mondays. Viewers are allowed to take photos.

One interesting aspect of the event is how many men were present, showing the growing interest in cooking among young Korean men.

One male visitor in his late 30s said he was most impressed by the variety of kitchenware that was on display ― more than 400 items ― and how he was able to learn about the unique history of familiar brands like the German company Braun, whose coffeemakers and blenders are very popular among Koreans.

``Before I got married, the only thing I could make was ramen noodles,’’ he said. ``After becoming a parent, I developed an interest in home-cooked meals and have become increasingly interested in kitchenware and utensils.’’

After seeing the basement filled with displays from foreign cookware brands, one may begin to wonder if Korean companies could come up with products like Le Creuset pots that have become a hit with many Korean housewives.

These days, quick recipes are everywhere ― on the Internet, YouTube and TV. When watching a cooking show or reading an Internet recipe, viewers will inevitably notice the utensils and cookware that the hosts use. Even on local cooking shows, the hosts are mainly seen cooking with foreign products.

Le Creuset is one of the brands on display at the exhibition, along with brands like Tupperware and Pyrex. The French cookware manufacturer is best known for its colorfully enameled cast iron cookware. Le Creuset products are much more expensive than local brands, but some visitors at the exhibition said that there was a good reason that women were willing to pay extra.

The museum also conducts lectures about furniture and kitchenware designs on the sidelines of the exhibition on weekends by local experts.

While the exhibition is a very unique occasion ― it’s not every day one encounters an exhibition about kitchens in Seoul ― it is also very timely, as more people are becoming interested in designing and creating their own living space. The field of interior design, with the kitchen being the heart of the home, is gaining more popularity among young Koreans.

Because this exhibition is mostly centered on the history of kitchens, one thing it lacked was trends about future kitchen technology. This can be a topic for an exhibition by itself.

The kitchen is constantly evolving to make things more efficient, speedy and spacious for the cook. The exhibition would have been more exciting if it had made some room for future trends, like hands-free faucets, like the one by U.S. company Moen, suitable for homes with small children who can't yet reach the handle or any kitchen where cooks often have sticky and dirty hands.

It could have also introduced latest inventions like colorful sinks, such as the ones by U.S. manufacturer of plumbing products Kohler, which are a huge departure from stainless steel found in most homes.