Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Inspired by nature

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Gwacheon’s “ITAMI JUN: Architecture of the Wind” exhibition will continue through July 27. / Courtesy of MMCARemembering the works of late architect Itami Jun Itami Jun(1937-2011)By Kwon Mee-yooLate Korean-Japanese architect Itami Jun always said he took inspiration from nature.His love of basic elements, however, never precluded him from being forward-thinking.The products of these seemingly divergent impulses are both simple and futuristic. His body of work, now highlighted in an exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary (MMCA) Gwancheon in Gyeonggi Province, masterfully applies natural forms, colors and textures to modern contexts."Itami Jun: Architecture of the Wind’’ is the museum’s second exhibition devoted to architectural design, following its 2013 retrospective on late Korean architect Chung Guyon, which proved to be its one of the most popular exhibitions of the year.Born in Shizuoka, Japan in 1937, Itami took interest in the art of Korea’s Joseon Kingdom (1392-1

Feb 5, 2014

Lens of a blue-collar icon

Ulee Lheue village, Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, 2013. / Courtesy of Park No-haePoet Park No-hae holds third photo exhibition By Yun Suh-youngPark No-hae is best known as the poet who doubled as the country’s most famous political prisoner of the 1990s. He now seems intent on also being remembered as a photographer.The images Park captures with his camera are peaceful and observant, notably devoid of the social anger and intensity that once made his poems a commentary on Korea’s labor-class struggle.While the 57-year-old continues to identify himself as a blue-collar artist, it’s clear that the man behind the viewfinder is looking at the bigger picture rather than small details. These days, he talks less like a labor activist and more like a yoga instructor.About 120 of Park’s recent works are featured in his third exhibition, “Another Way,” which opened at Seoul’s Sejong Center for Performing Arts on Wednesday and will continue through March 3.In his former exhibitions, Park captured images of people in regions of political conflict such

Feb 4, 2014

Art in turn-of-century Vienna

Replicas of Egon Schiele’s “Selfportrait with Chinese Lanterns. / Courtesy of Leopold Museum Vienna, Neue Galerie New YorkKlimt, Schiele featured in new Seoul Arts Center exhibitionBy Kwon Mee-yooAustrian artist Gustav Klimt and his former student Egon Schiele are revered among art fans around the world, but particularly beloved in Korea. There are only a few works in modern art that are recognized here as ubiquitously as Klimt’s "The Kiss.’’ Schiele’s paintings continue to be overused in magazines, postcards and home decor products sold in e-mart. However, the local popularity of these Austrian artists, who had definitive influence in the art of turn-of-the-20th-century Vienna, had been matched with a paucity of exhibitions. The Seoul Arts Center’s "Golden Age Stories,’’ which continues through March 10 and features reproduced masterpieces of Klimt and Schiele approved by the Austrian government, represents the first Klimt-related display in Korea since 2009. Gustav Klimt’s “Adele Bloch-Bauer I” will be on displ

Feb 2, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo

Your weekend in town

Foreigners enjoy “yutnori,” a traditional Korean board game with four rods ahead of Seollal or Lunar New Year’s Day, which falls on Jan. 31, at the Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, Tuesday. / YonhapAttractions in culture, leisure and sports for Lunar New Year’s holidays By Baek Byung-yeulWe are nearly a month into 2014, which means that the Lunar New Year’s holidays have arrived. This is when Koreans continue their long tradition of spewing expletives on congested highways, welcoming annoying relatives to the table, overeating, and binge-drinking with friends who manage to get to their home towns in time.Of course, you can choose to spend the break from work in a more culturally sophisticated way. Seoul’s Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) palaces and Jongmyo Shrine will be open on Lunar New Year’s Day, which falls on Friday. Visitors who wear the traditional Korean garb of ``hanbok’’ will be allowed to enter these places for free throughout the holidays, from Thursday to Sunday. Starting this month, the Ministry of Culture, S

Jan 29, 2014

Veteran critic to head national theater

Kim Yun-cheolBy Kwon Mee-yooKim Yun-cheol, 65, thespian and current director of the Korean National Archives of Arts, has been chosen as the new art director of the National Theater Company of Korea (NCTK), sources said Tuesday.The appointment could be made official as early as Wednesday. The post has been vacant for two months after the government decided not to renew the term of Sohn Jin-chaek after it expired in November.However, a spokeswoman at NCTK said the company has yet to be officially informed about Kim’s arrival. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been criticized for prolonging the search for Sohn’s successor.Kim, a Seoul National University graduate, had been an actor and director who founded the drama company Maekto. After injuring his vocal chords in a performance, he pursued a career as a drama theorist and critic.He earned his master's degree in theater and cinematic arts at Seoul Choong Ang University and a Ph.D. in theater and cinematic arts from Brigham Young University in the United States.Kim was involved in designing the structure of th

Jan 28, 2014

How can I resist you?

British actress Sara Poyzer, left, playing the role of Donna in the current Mamma Mia! tour in Korea, poses with Korean actress Park Ji-yeon, who frequently performed as Sophie in previous local productions./ Courtesy of Lee Soo-jin'Mamma Mia' actresses discuss musical’s allure on 10th anniversary of Korean stagingBy Kwon Mee-yoo"Mamma Mia!,’’ a love story set to ABBA songs, has been seen by more than 50 million people around the world since its 1999 debut. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its arrival in Korea, one of Asia’s most lucrative musical markets, a team of international actors has been staging a new run that continues through March 23 in Seoul, before heading to Daegu.British actress Sara Poyzer has been playing the role of Donna Sheridan in the touring production. In an interview with The Korea Times, she said she’s been impressed by the passion of Korean audiences.Korean actress Park Ji-yeon, who played the role of Sophie, Donna’s cheery and adventurous daughter, from 2010 to 2012, also joined the conversation."I was told that (

Jan 24, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo

Around Town 1

Classical Concerts‘Botticelli Guitar Quartet vs Guitar Group Fiesta’Seoul Arts Center*Feb. 13Classical guitarist groups Fiesta and Botticelli will perform together at the Seoul Arts Center on Feb. 13. Tickets cost 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 737-0708 or visit www.sac.or.kr.Chen Hye-young Seoul Arts Center*Feb. 13Award-winning violinist Chen Hye-young will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. The violinist will play Beethoven’s “Sonata for Piano and Violin no.1 in D major op. 12 no.1,” Ravel’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano” and Vladigerov’s “VARDAR.” Tickets cost 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 586-0945 or visit www.sac.or.kr.‘The Magic Flute’Seongnam Arts Center*Feb. 15The Mozart opera “The Magic Flute” will be staged at the Seongnam Arts Center on Feb. 15. Tickets cost 15,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2232-1148 or visit www.imwbk.com.Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, left, and Italian trumpet player Paolo Fresu will perform at the LG ArtsCen

Jan 23, 2014By Baek Byung-yeul

Around Town 2

ClubsThe OctagonNonhyeonNear the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.Club VolumeItaewonOffering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635.Once in a Blue MoonApgujeongOnce in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.Club AnswerCheongdamClub Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest

Jan 23, 2014By Baek Byung-yeul

History of 'moon' jar at British Museum

The Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) “moon jar” currently displayed at the British Museum / Courtesy of British MuseumLee Hee-kyungBy Lee Hee-kyungThere has been a growing global demand for Korean culture, a phenomenon termed “hallyu,’’ or the Korean Wave. The popularity has been driven by music, movies, television shows and video games. But about a century ago, it was the country’s exquisite traditional pottery that became exposed and celebrated internationally. When the British Museum established the Korean Foundation gallery in November 2000, curator Jane Portal chose a white, minimalist porcelain jar from the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) to be featured in the poster promoting the new space.The jar _ distinctive for its white color and simple, round shape ― was a conventional style of pottery produced at the kingdom’s kiln complexes in Gwangju, southeast of Seoul, during the 17th and 18th centuries. Critics now commonly call these jars “moon jars’’ because of their voluminous shape and milky-white glaze. In explaining t

Jan 22, 2014

Gate saga turns fatal

An investigator examines Sungnyemun’s wooden pavilion in October last year. The government investigation on the flawed restoration of the historic gate hit an unexpected snag after Chungbuk National Universityprofessor Park Won-kyu, who had been brought in to lead the investigation, was found dead in an apparent suicide over the weekend. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulRenowned wood expert found dead in apparent suicideBy Baek Byung-yeulA Chungbuk National University professor tasked by the government to review the botched restoration of a historic Seoul landmark was found dead over the weekend in an apparent suicide hanging.Professor Park Won-kyu, a renowned expert of wood anatomy, was found hanging from an electric wire in his laboratory on Saturday by his wife, police said.Lee Sung-han, commissioner general of the Korea National Police Agency (KNPA) said Monday that authorities had concluded that the case was a suicide, judging from the circumstances around the case as well as surveillance footage.A note found near Park’s body read: “I am in the midst of har

Jan 20, 2014

Arts & Theater