Science and art to spark childrens curiosities

By Ines Min

Taking a look behind-the-scenes of masterpieces has been a popular activity of late, with the recent Da Vinci exhibition examining the mysteries surrounding the famous Mona Lisa.

“Science in Art 2” opened last week to raise the level up a notch at the Main Exhibition Hall of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul.

Returning after a successful run last year, the interactive showcase for youths offers an educational look into the complexities of art, piquing an overlapping interest in both the scientific and the creative.

While the inaugural run focused on a number of activities, the second edition takes a more active approach, breaking down the passivity of exhibitions and combining it with elements of a “Choose Your Own Adventure.”

Upon admission, each visitor is handed a detective’s hat and notepad before being led in by a professional actor. Working their way through an array of classic works — from “Whistler’s Mother” to Matisse, Van Gogh to Da Vinci — the young sleuths scrutinize the hidden truths behind each one via X-rays, infrared cameras and lasers.

Five sections or “mysteries” comprise the diverse showcase, which takes a total of 80 minutes to complete. Toured in groups of 20 to 25, participants are given enough time to explore to their hearts’ content.

The first mystery, or “The Secret You Can’t See,” takes a look into the canvases of artists. As canvas was once an expensive material, many artists would reuse the same piece, creating several works on top of one another. The exhibition uncovers the pictures hidden underneath each work with the help of X-rays, revealing the forgotten compositions.

In part two, cutting edge chemical analysis technology is used to uncover which of the presented works (including replicas a la master forger Han van Meegeren) are fakes. Participants will have a chance to test the used color pigments, and discern that the recently-created works are artificial.

The third section looks into the secrets of art burglary. With currently more than 25 pieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Picasso and Renoir reported stolen, the practice of thieving artwork and reselling on the black market has only boomed. This portion takes viewers into the world of burglary by providing historical information and context.

Section four turns back the clock by presenting long-degraded artworks seen in their original glory through the work of restorers. While “art doctors” must be knowledgeable about art history, they must also possess a delicate skill that enables them to re-patch the originals.

The final portion of the exhibition examines the science of creating paint. Before the invention of mass-manufactured paint 200 years ago, artists created their own colors and materials. Viewers can learn about the various ingenious combinations used to create art hundreds of years prior, from mixing crayon pigments and paraffin to watercolor pigments and gum Arabic.

“Science in Art 2” runs through March 6 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station, subway line 5. Reservations can be made online beforehand. For more information, visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.