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British artist Billy Childish's 'radical traditional' paintings on view in Seoul

Installation view of Billy Childish's exhibition “wolves, sunsets and the self” at Lehmann Maupin Seoul / Courtesy the artist and Lehmann MaupinBy Kwon Mee-yooBilly Childish / Courtesy of the artist and Lehmann MaupinAs social distancing eases amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lehmann Maupin Seoul unveils multi-faceted artist Billy Childish's latest pieces in new exhibition "wolves, sunsets and the self" which will run through June 27.Multi-talented Childish is a painter, poet, author, filmmaker, musician and record producer. Known for his introspective and confessional writing, Childish is a cult figure in many fields.The exhibit features seven paintings, shedding light on the artist's "radical traditionalist" approach."I make a picture in the same way a child does ― something 'out there' interests me. Making a painting of that 'something' then joins me with the universal creator/creation in a more intent way than just being an observer," Childish once stated.Childish does not follow a specific artistic trend, though he founded the Stuckist art movement back in 1999. The Stuck

Apr 28, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

'Korean art evolved through collision'

Pages from “Korean Art from 1953: Collision, Innovation, Interaction” featuring works of Oh Yoon and Kim Jeong-heon / Courtesy of PhaidonBook on Korean contemporary art published internationallyBy Kwon Mee-yooChung Yeon-shim, professor of Contemporary Art History and Theory at Hongik University Courtesy of Chung Yeon-shimInterest on Korean contemporary art is heightened in the international art world across art museums, galleries and auction houses, but there are few books giving a comprehensive analysis on the complex history of Korean modern art.Chung Yeon-shim of Hongik University released "Korean Art from 1953: Collision, Innovation, Interaction" with the top art book publisher Phaidon last month. This is one of the first books in English to explore the complex history of Korean contemporary art.The book highlights artistic movements that appeared and evolved over the past seven decades ― from the 1950s avant-garde and the feminist scene in the 1970s to the birth of the Gwangju Biennale in the 1990s and the lesser known North Korean art scene.Chung organized the proje

Apr 26, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Tree & Water Theater closes down due to COVID-19 blow

Life Theater Tree & Water / Courtesy of Moonhwa IconSmall theaters suffer zero incomeBy Kwon Mee-yooTree & Water, a small theater in Seoul's theater district Daehangno, has closed down due to financial difficulties as the nation's theater industry continues to suffer from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeong You-rhan, CEO of Moonhwa Icon which operates the theater, posted the news on Facebook, Monday. "Due to COVID-19, the theater has been temporarily shut down since February. Without any income, it is difficult for us to pay the monthly rent," Jeong said. Established in 2013, the 100-seat theater has been home to Korean musical "Love in the Rain" and children's show "Cloud Bread."Most small theaters in Daehangno area are operated by proprietors who rent the venues and sublease them to production companies and troupes."The landlord said the space will not be used as a theater anymore, so we have to pull down all theatrical facilities," Jeong said. "The theater will be demolished from May 1." Jeong said the government's support system on private small theaters needs to

Apr 22, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Tree & Water Theater closes down due to COVID-19 blow

SeMA contextualizes its collection

Yun Ai-young's "Unknown Planet 3." / Courtesy of SeMABy Kwon Mee-yooSeoul Museum of Art (SeMA) has accumulated 5,173 works in its collection since opening in 1985. It is not a very large collection compared to other big museums, but SeMA tries to reinterpret and contextualize its works as a public museum. A new exhibition "Collecting for All" features 131 works ― 86 from the museum's collection and an additional 45 pieces from artists with works belonging to the museum ― with the aim of exploring the significance of the museum's collection and its openness to the public. SeMA is an affiliate of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and thus the museum's collection is bought with Seoul residents' tax money. "Collecting for All" focuses the common-pool resource nature of the museum's collection and tries to connect the artworks with daily life."Most of the museum's collection spends time in storage, but they should be shared by all citizens,” said SeMA director Beck Jee-sook. “The value of a museum's collection can be rediscovered in these rapidly changing times and we want to

Apr 21, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Rock musical 'Lizzie' stands up to suppression

From left, Emma Borden (Kim Ryeo-won), Bridget Sullivan (Lee Young-mi), Lizzie Borden (Na Ha-na) and Alice Russell (Choi Soo-jin) perform in a scene from the rock musical "Lizzie" at Dream Art Center in downtown Seoul. Courtesy of ShownoteBy Kwon Mee-yooThe tale of Lizzie Borden, one of the most notorious cold cases in American criminal history, arrived in Seoul with ferocious rock music in the musical "Lizzie," staged at Dream Art Center in Daehangno, central Seoul."Lizzie" is one of the few all-women rock musicals, but it explodes with energy coming from punk music and the power of sisterhood.With music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner and book by Maner, “Lizzie” was initiated from a four-song experimental rock cycle in 1990 and premiered in a musical format on Off-Off-Broadway in 2009.The musical centers around Lizzie Borden, the second daughter of the Borden family and prime suspect in double axe murders of her stepmother Abby and father Andrew. Her elder sister Emma Borden, the Bordens' maid Bridget Sullivan a

Apr 19, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Rock musical 'Lizzie' stands up to suppression

'Axis of Horizon' exhibit previews on Instagram Live

Eija-Liisa Ahtila's "Horizontal ― Vaakasuora" (2011) is on display at "Axis of Horizon" at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Seoul. Courtesy of MMCABy Kwon Mee-yooThe National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) will unveil newly acquired pieces that fall under the theme of nature, initially through an online preview amid the museum's closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Titled "Axis of Horizon," the exhibition examines the relationship between nature and people in different social and historical contexts. MMCA director Youn Bum-mo said, "Axis of Horizon introduces notable art pieces by 17 international artists who propose new perspectives on nature. With COVID-19 taking a toll in Korea and other parts of the world, I hope the art in this exhibition offers consolation, a sense of healing and new artistic discourse for audiences to find hope."The exhibition, which was originally slated to open April 6, will be shown to art fans through an online viewing first. The MMCA will livestream this exhibition on Instagram at instagram.com/mmcakorea on

Apr 15, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

'Axis of Horizon' exhibit previews on Instagram Live

Embattled ballet dancer apologizes over violating self-quarantine measures

Dancers of the Korean National Ballet perform a scene from “Swan Lake” in this undated photo. Courtesy of Korean National BalletBy Park Ji-wonFormer Korean National Ballet (KNB) dancer Na Dae-han, who was fired from the company last month for violating COVID-19 self-quarantine rules, released a statement to apologize for his misbehavior. However, the KNB maintained its decision to fire him despite the apology.“I apologize to all people for causing concern because of my inconsiderate behavior,” Na posted on Instagram Monday. “During the self-quarantine period, I went to Japan and caused trouble. I admit that I forgot my position as a KNB dancer in this severe crisis. I will regret this and reflect on my behavior.”Na Dae-han Courtesy of Korean National BalletThe remarks came before the ballet company's disciplinary committee is set to make a final decision about whether to reinstate him amid rising criticism against the company for its lax discipline. The KNB is run on government subsidies. He was dismissed last month as a full-time dancer ― the firs

Apr 14, 2020By Park Ji-won

Embattled ballet dancer apologizes over violating self-quarantine measures

'Korean monotone painting is about process'

Kim Tschang-yeul's “Waterdrops” (2015) is on view at “Empty Fullness: Materiality and Spirituality in Contemporary Korean Art” exhibit organized by Chung Joon-mo at Park Ryu Sook Gallery in central Seoul through May 10. Courtesy of the artist and Park Ryu Sook GalleryBy Kwon Mee-yoo"Empty Fullness: Materiality and Spirituality in Contemporary Korean Art," an exhibition at Park Ryu Sook Gallery in Itaewon, Seoul, redefines and broadens aspects of Korean monotone painting.Chung Joon-mo, former curatorial director at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, organized this exhibition which has been traveling across the globe since 2014. "Everyone talks about Dansaekhwa, but it was more brainwashing without properly studying what Dansaekhwa is. Korean monotone painting represents the sentiment of Korean art the best by far and I wanted to reshape the aesthetic framing on Korean monotone painting," Chung said. "Many art exhibits in Korea are like select shops, featuring popular or famous artists. A good art exhibition needs to be set in a context.”T

Apr 12, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

'Korean monotone painting is about process'

Korean calligraphy takes center stage in art museum

Kwon Chang-ryun's calligraphy work is on display at “The Modern and Contemporary Korean Writing” exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Deoksugung. This is the first calligraphy exhibition at the national museum and is part of MMCA director Youn Bum-mo's effort to bring neglected art genres to the museum. / Courtesy of MMCACoronavirus pandemic pushes exhibition to onlineBy Kwon Mee-yooIn East Asia, there is a long-standing theory that calligraphy and painting have the same origins. However, calligraphy in Korea failed to keep up with the times as the country went through Japanese colonization, became independent and achieved rapid economic growth, and is now considered a stuffy, old-fashioned hobby."The Modern and Contemporary Korean Writing," a new exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, sheds light on the development of modern calligraphy and the significance of calligraphy in fine art.This is the first calligraphy exhibition at the national museum and is part of MMCA dir

Apr 9, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Korean calligraphy takes center stage in art museum

David Ostrowski rejects perfectionism

Installation view of David Ostrowski's solo exhibition "Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen" at Leeahn Gallery Seoul / Courtesy of Leeahn GalleryBy Kwon Mee-yooGerman artist David Ostrowski pursues “meaninglessness” and “worthlessness” in his abstract paintings, denying perfectionism in conventional oil painting.Ostrowski's first exhibition in Korea, titled "Menschen, Bilder, Emotionen" (People, Pictures, Emotions) is being held at the Leeahn Gallery Seoul in downtown Seoul through May 18. "The artist wanted to go by this exhibition title as he wants viewers to get into communications through his works," the exhibit's curator Sung Shin-young said. Studied at Kunstakademie Dusseldorf, Ostrowski's early works were figurative paintings, but his style diverted drastically in 2014.“Ideas are completely overrated,” Ostrowski is quoted saying. “I try to get to ground zero ― to start at the beginning. Knowledge can be annoying and has to be suppressed sometimes."Traditionally, figurative oil painting pursues perfection and artists paint over to remedy mistak

Apr 7, 2020By Kwon Mee-yoo

Arts & Theater