Exhibits Allow Different Way to View Art
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Museums are usually places where visitors quietly observe paintings hanging on the walls or gaze at sculptures from a respectful distance.
An exhibition at the Seoul Museum of Art, located in downtown Seoul, is introducing a new way of experiencing art, not just by sight, but using various senses.
The ``Art & Synesthesia'' exhibition, which runs through June 7, is intended to ``break down the walls between merely `viewing an artwork,' and opening the museum's patrons to new experiences viewing art; seeing, feeling and touching it and even smelling artworks.''
``At the root of the exhibition is an exploration of the disorder Synethesia. Synethesia is a condition that causes the brain's senses to blend together, forming unexpected connections ― a synesthete is able to feel, smell, or hear a painting. In constructing this exhibit to encourage the viewer to hear, smell, feel and touch the museum hopes that its patrons can appreciate art as a synesthete can,'' the museum said, in a statement.
The exhibition features works by 24 Korean artists created between 1969-2009. The first section, ``Painting and Illusion,'' features works that evoke unexpected reactions from viewers.
In the painting ``Noise II,'' Hong Jong-myung expresses fast paced life through layers of colors and abstract shapes. Using traditional Korean paper and calligraphic ink, Moon Bong-sun's ``Rhythm'' manages to express the concept of sound through canvas.
The second section, ``Crossing Boundaries,'' includes artworks that involve the use of different senses. Visitors can interact with some of the works, such as Jun Ga-young's ``Sitting Chorus,'' which encourages audience members to sit on chairs, each of which triggers a sound or light display. As more people sit on the different chairs, a chorus of electronic sounds and lights is created.
For Kim Byoung-ho's ``Silent Circulation of Pollen,'' visitors can shout into the long aluminum tubes that are connected to a sound generator.
At first glance, Shin Mee-kyoung's ``Translation'' may appear to be simple ceramic jars. But the scent of soap gives it away. Shin used soap to recreate stone and ceramic works that she saw at National Gallery Museum in London.
The Seoul Museum of Art is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. To go there, get off at City Hall Station, lines 1 and 2, Exit 11 or 12. Visit seoulmoa.seoul.go.kr.
Children can also have fun playing with Japanese moveable art at the ``Kala-Kuli'' exhibition at Yeoksam1 Cultural Center through April 18.
The Gangnam Foundation for Arts and Culture organized the exhibition featuring more than 20 ``kala-kuli'' (moveable) art works by Japanese contemporary artists. The works are made of paper, wood and various other materials. Children are encouraged to touch and play with these innovative works. Other art activities for children are available on weekdays.
Admission costs 3,000 won. The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.