Around Town 2 - The Korea Times

Traditional

‘Sin-si’

Sejong Center for Performing Arts

Oct. 27 to 28

“Sin-si, the Festival of the Sun” will be held at the Sejong Grand Theater on Oct. 27 and 28. / Courtesy of Sejong Center for Performing Art

“Sin-si, the Festival of the Sun” will be held at Sejong Grand Theater for two days on Oct. 27 and 28.

This performance is a ballet themed upon the mythology of Dangun, featuring exaggeratedly elaborate dance moves which are choreographed by Kook Su-ho, a renowned director of historical dances. “Sin-si” will focus on the story of Hwanwoong, the son of Heaven: as he descends to Earth, he embraces two warring tribes, the Woong tribe and the Ho tribe, and establishes a city of reconciliation and coexistence called Shinsi.

Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1766.

‘Fanta-Stick’

Seoul Fanta-Stick Theater

Throughout 2016

“Fanta-Stick” is performed daily at Seoul Fanta-Stick Theater on an open-ended run. The performance presents original representative Korean music, using traditional Korean instruments to create fusion gugak. Park Ji-hoon, Lee Seok-jae, Kwon Hyun-soo and Na Jung-suk play the main roles of Jangdan and Saemachi. The show also features Yang Ye-rim, Kim Jee, Kim Sae-jin, Yoon Sung-hwan, Kim Byung-soo and Shin Kwang-hee.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit fanta-stick.co.kr or call (02) 3143-5959.

‘YOULL’

Jeongdong Theater

Until Dec. 31

“YOULL,” a dance performance mixed with drama, will be staged at Jeongdong Theater until the end of 2016.

The performance will bring a wide range of traditional modes of expression together, including Korean dance, theater, music and martial arts. By applying the heroic fantasy genre to this production, Jeongdong Theater hopes to broaden its popular appeal. Actors Jeon Jin-hong, Lee Hyuk, Park Ji-yeon and Cho Haneul will play the main roles.

Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit jeongdong.or.kr or call (02) 751-1500.

Museums

Three Jewels: Buddhist Art of Korea

Hoam Art Museum

Until Nov. 6

Hoam Art Museum is holding a special exhibition “Three Jewels: Buddhist Art of Korea,” presenting the characteristics and significance of Korean Buddhist art. For centuries, Buddhist art pieces have not only served as objects of worship but also exemplified the aesthetics of their respective periods. This exhibition will highlight art pieces related to the “three jewels” of Buddism: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Consisting of three sections, the first will present paintings, sculpture and crafts related to Shakyamuni and Amitabha Buddha, the two central figures of Korean Buddhist faith. The next section will feature printed transcriptions of Buddhist texts and the third will display ritual implements related to Sangha.

Tickets cost 2,000 to 4,000 won. For more information, visit www.hoammuseum.org or call (031) 310-1801.

As the Moon Waxes and Wanes

MMCA Gwacheon

Until Feb. 12, 2017

As this year marks the 30th anniversary of MMCA Gwacheon, it will hold a special exhibition called “As the Moon Waxes and Wanes” until Feb. 12, 2017.

MMCA Gwacheon has acquired 5,800 additional works of art over the past three decades, which comprise 74% of its entire collection. This special exhibition will focus on its new collections. It will shed light on the lifecycle and destiny of a work of art proceeded by the dialectical course, from the conditions that prompt the creation of an artwork to the production, circulation, acquisition, utilization, preservation, death and rebirth.

Admission is free. For more information, visit mmca.go.kr or call (02) 2188-6000.

Joseon: The Movable Type Dynasty

National Museum of Korea

Until Nov. 13

The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition presenting a complete picture of the Joseon Kingdom’s (1392-1910) movable type collection.

More than 820,000 pieces of movable type are known to have been used by the royal court and government offices during the 17th to early 20th century. It is extremely rare for such a large volume of movable type originating within a single dynasty to have survived. Movable type represents the ambitions of the rulers of the kingdom as they sought to govern the nation through Confucian principles. Chests for strong movable type pieces allow a glimpse into Joseon typesetters’ unique system for classifying, and strong movable type pieces.

Admission is free. For more information, visit museum.go.kr or (02) call 2077-9461.

Art Exhibitions

‘Anthology’

Seoul Museum of Art

The Seoul Museum of Art is holding the exhibition “Anthology” throughout 2016 that presents Gana Art collection.

The collection consists of 200 works of Korean realism donated by Lee Ho-jae, the head of Gana Art. The 200 donated works are composed of 120 paintings, 10 traditional Korean paintings, 7 prints, and 23 sculptures. The works were created by 46 artists who are members of groups such as Hyun-sil and Bal-un, Gwangju Liberal Artists Association, Dureong and ImSulNyeon. With a large body of historical Minjung artwork that reflects the zeitgeist of the 1980s, the collection provides a comprehensive overview of hyperrealist and expressionist works of Korean art from the 1960s to 1990s.

Admission is free. Visit sema.go.kr for more information.

Lee Jung-Seob

MMCA Deoksugung

Until Oct. 3

An exhibition featuring the works of Lee Jung-Seob will be held at MMCA Deoksugung until October 3. / Courtesy of MMCA

An exhibition featuring the works of Lee Jung-Seob, titled “The 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Korean Modern Masters: Lee Jung-Seob,” will be held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung until October 3.

Lee’s life coincided with the most turbulent period of Korean contemporary history, marked by colonial rule, war and division. However, he persisted in living his life and expressing himself as an artist. During the colonial period, when any signs of Korean heritage were actively repressed by the Japanese, he boldly made paintings of bulls, a traditional symbol of the Korean people. Even during his years of poverty, transience, and warfare, he produced paintings that laughed at the harshness of reality, expressing the blithe, childlike beauty of happy days spent with his family. As this year marks the 100th anniversary of Lee Jung-Seob’s birth, as well as the 60th anniversary of his death, the museum is presenting its first solo exhibition of this extraordinary artist. Covering the full trajectory of Lee’s background and career, the exhibition examines how he doggedly pursued his artistic vision despite the oppressive violence and poverty of the era.

Admission is 6,000 won. For more information, visit mmca.go.kr or call (02) 2022-0600.

Wing Chan

Choeunsook Gallery

Sept. 29 to Oct. 27

Photomontage artist Wing Chan’s solo exhibition will be held at Choeunsook Gallery. The opening reception will take place on Sept. 29 from 5pm to 8pm.

Wing Chan’s photomontages bring a dynamic fresh look at our urban landscape. His prints invite people to demystify the complexity of city life with enduring patterns of various cities’ nature. How people interpret these captivating photomontages is personal to each person; however by entering his world, it will allow people to be more intimately associated with our environment.

His “Urban Tapestry” photomontage series will explore daily life, depicting places that people are familiar with, such as shopping malls, escalators and subway platforms. Though his creations are 2D, their distortion transcends reality to lend a great depth and movement to the work.

For more information, visit choeunsookgallery.com or call (02) 541-8484.

Ritual Porcelains of Joseon Kingdom

Until Oct. 23

The National Museum of Korea presents a collection of ceramic ritual vessels to enhance public awareness of its beauty and stimulate public interest. Its “Ritual Porcelains of Joseon Kingdom” exhibition is held until Oct. 23.

Since ancient times, there has been a bond that tied humans to the skies, the earth and our ancestors. These were realized in ancestral rites, and vessels were used to present offerings in the rites. These ritual vessels were offered to show thankfulness to the gods and also to receive blessings; they were vessels that traversed time and space. Joseon society was based upon Confucianism, which emphasized the importance of memorial rites to ancestors. Ritualistic vessels were thus among the most essential and significant items of Joseon society. Ceramic ritual vessels were not merely used in ancestral rites, also being appreciated as works of art. They represented the “courtesy” culture of Joseon society.

Admission is free. For more information, visit museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.

Denmark: Design

Seoul Arts Center

Until Nov. 20

An exhibition features works of Danish designers will be held at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Design Museum, Sept. 10 to Nov. 20.

Denmark has produced a number of great designers such as Arne Jacobson and Hans Wegner. Danish designs are simple and modern, and also have functionality and beauty. Moreover, nature-friendliness of materials and designs attract a wide variety of people. This exhibition presents the essence of Danish design as well as unique culture and society focusing on design after the mid-century which is the golden age of Danish design.

Tickets cost 5,000 to 10,000 won. For more information, visit sac.or.kr or call (02) 580-1300.

Archive of Mind

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Until Feb. 5, 2017

“Kim Sooja: Archive of Mind,” a program in the MMCA Hyndai Motor Series, will be run an exhibition until Feb. 5, 2017. Since the series’ inauguration in 2014, it has been inviting and supporting one leading artist of Korea every year. Artist Kim Soo-ja has been selected this year. For the past 30 years, Kim’s ever-evolving work has explored painting, daily objects, actions and social issues such as migration, exile and violence. The project will bring together nine pieces to present an overview of her artistic realm and will serve as an impetus for the artist to seek a meaningful shift in her practice.

Admission is 4,000 won. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr or call (02) 3701-9500.

Kids

Cloud Bread

Art Center Tree & Water

The Children’s musical “Cloud Bread” as an open-ended run is staged at Art Center Tree and Water at Daehangno.

After the story “Cloud Bread” made its debut in 2004, this story has undergone several adaptations and captured the hearts of countless children and adults through the musical, children’s music concert, and an animation series. Min Jung-ki, Lim Su-min, Choi Yun-chung and Lee Dae-eun play the main characters.

Admission is 25,000 won. Children must be older than 2 years. For more information, visit mhicon.co.kr or call 1666-5795.

Tickets cost 33,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit uac.co.kr or ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 738-8289.

Sports Games

KBO League

Sunday, Oct. 2

KT Wiz vs. KIA Tigers

Gwangju-Kia Champions Field

NC Dinos vs. Lotte Giants

Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium

Nexen Heroes vs. Hanwha Eagles

Hanwha Life Eagles Park

K-League Classic

Ulsan vs. Incheon

Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium

Suwon vs. Suwon FC

Suwon World Cup Stadium

Jeonnam vs. Jeju

Gwangyang Football Stadium

Seongnam vs. Pohang

Tacheon Sports Complex

Gwangju vs. Seoul

Gwangju World Cup Stadium

Sangju vs. Jenobuk

Sangju Civic Stadium

Horseracing

Let’s Run Park Seoul

Let’s Run Park Seoul holds races from 10:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. It is located by Seoul Racecourse Park Station, subway line 4, exit 3. For more information, call (02) 509-1114 or visit kra.co.kr.