Lifestyle - The Korea Times

French design companies converge in Seoul

By Ines Min While the Seoul Design Fair ― formerly the Seoul Design Olympiad ― kicked off earlier this month to bring innovations to the local scene, those looking for something particularly sleek and chic can head toward French Design 2010, a sister program that combines the aesthetics of design with the economic. The three-day event comprises of a main exhibition of products by 19 design teams from France, seminars hosted by their CEOs, and networking meetings between international and domestic enterprises, opening up the road for future collaborations. The showcase will feature a myriad of items on view, as the attending firms have worked in a range of fields from car companies to gadgetry. Design seminars will focus on four topics: Innovation, Digital Economy, Sensorial Design and City Design. Some major companies to look for include Atelier du Sartel, who previously worked with Salvatore Ferragmao, Bulgari and even Monoprix ― a major supermarket chain in France. InProcess has worked with Peugeot and Citroen, while millot.design’s clients include Yves Saint Laurent

Sep 27, 2010

Taehwa River art fest to return in October

By Ines Min The story of the Taehwa River in Ulsan Metropolitan City, on the southeast coast of Korea, is a fairy tale not unlike that of the ugly duckling. Once known as the polluted “River of Death” — a result of heavily industrialization of the city over three decades — the Taehwa has shed its image of condemnation since the 1990s to become a symbol of successful restoration in present-day Ulsan. In an effort to not only cleanse, but beautify the river, the 2010 Taehwa River Eco Art Festival (TEAF) kicks off on Oct. 1 for a 12-day exhibition featuring 100 artists from all over the world. Hosted by the daily Kyungsang Ilbo and sponsored by the city, the four-year-old festival has grown from its original debut of 11 works into a 44-installation affair that includes artists such as On Megumi Akiyoshi and Kim Ki-ra. Operating under the theme “The Road Above the Road,” the artworks seek to capture an appreciation for and recognition of the world that is becoming increasingly diversified. In a modern culture with resources such as technology and the Internet, oppo

Sep 24, 2010

Bolshoi Ballet bridges Seoul-Moscow art scenes

By Lee Hyo-won Art can be at once fluid and constant — and transcend boundaries while retaining local peculiarities and roots. Given the increasing number of cross-cultural projects, there seems to be more reason to catch the best of Russia not in Moscow but in Seoul. Local ballet fans can relish “Raymonda,” which finally premieres at Seoul Arts Center, Saturday. This particular rendition by famed master choreographer Yuri Grigorovich will feature a mixed cast of dancers from the Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC) and Russia’s famed Bolshoi Ballet. The exchange will continue next month in Moscow, where the Korean dancers will appear at the Bolshoi Theater for the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. “It’s wonderful for Korea and Russia to maintain a good relationship. It’s a joint production and will not only be a cultural event but also affect the overall dynamics between the two countries, because it’s a sign that we are interested in each other’s cultures,” Grigorovich told reporters in Seoul last Thursday. “As much as Korean fans are

Sep 20, 2010

Chuseok Folk games enrich the holidays

By Chung Ah-young, Ines Min The holidays are a time for family, feasts and, in Korea, traditional folk games. Although Seollal (the Lunar New Year’s Day) is the holiday most associated with the light-hearted pastimes, the harvest moon festival of Chuseok is also distinguished in its celebrations, which focus more on the giving of thanks and paying respects to our ancestors and community. These folk games offer an insight not only into the celebration of the harvest in Korea, but also into the history and humor of the people. Ganggangsullae The “ganggangsullae” dance is the most representative activity during Chuseok, which pays homage to the country’s past agrarian society. The ancient tradition was added to the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Once a recreational activity, the dance is comprised of a large ring of dozens of young women holding hands, singing and dancing. Originating from the southern provinces of Jeolla and Gyeongsang, ganggangsullae offered a form of catharsis for women in a male-dominated society, while providing a rel

Sep 20, 2010

Sori festival to mark 10th anniversary

By Chung Ah-young A wide spectrum of unique sounds from Korea and the rest of the world will create a new stage for musical exchange at the Jeonju International Sori Festival. The special event will embark on a five-day journey of music on Oct. 1 at the Sori Cultural Arts Center and other locations around Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, the home to “sori,” Korean traditional narrative songs. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival which has featured various acts from fringe performances featuring artists in diverse genres from around the world since its inception in 2001. Under the slogan “Timeless Sori Brings Together Generations,” the event will host 140 groups from nine countries to present musical diversity and new trends in the international music scene and foster friendships among musicians. “We’ve been preparing the festival for two years to show a different and new aspect to mark the 10th anniversary as last year’s event was cancelled due to the fear of the spread of influenza (H1N1),” Kim Myung-gon, chairman of the organizing committee and forme

Sep 19, 2010

Digital art: cell phones add extra dimension

By Ines Min The ubiquity of technology has long been an issue for controversy, with articles in the New York Times citing studies that show some use the Internet enough for it to be classified as an “addiction,” and the BBC reporting that sleek software can dull the brain. One point has been near-universally accepted, however: technology has greatly affected our lives, revolutionizing information intake and mental processes. The Incheon International Digital Art Festival (INDAF), which is on through Sept. 30, grabs that concept and breaks into a full run, bringing an exhibition of more than 90 artists with works that engage viewers not only visually, but physically. The location of the event in Songdo itself speaks volumes about the type of art festival. The manmade city built by the people ― as opposed to around the people ― was reclaimed from the vast mudflats which once comprised it, replacing in its stead a pristine, concrete and steel Free Economic Zone. Appropriately, INDAF itself is only in its second year, nearly as young as the location that hosts it. Its missio

Sep 17, 2010

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Clubs Club Answer Cheongdam-dong Equipped with state of the art sound and lighting, Club Answer is the foremost venue for electronic music in Seoul. Located in front of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, the club presents world class DJs in an extensive space with modern decor to offer a memorable dance experience. Visit www.clubanswer.co.kr, for more information. Club Heaven Yeoksam-dong Located next to the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, Club Heaven is gaining a reputation as a clubber’s paradise with star DJs and a celebrity clientele. Electronic music is the main menu, with laser light and paper confetti shows aplenty on the side. The club caters to partying at any hour of the night: the “main stage” on the first floor is open until 6:30 a.m., while club hoppers can enter the upper level’s “after stage” after 4:30 a.m. Call 1644-8466. Underlounge Seoul Hongdae or Hongik University Area This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also to be found in Shanghai. Located in the popular clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud music and lights. Spacious,

Sep 14, 2010

Concerts, Museums & Theater

Classical Concerts Chang Il-bum’s Classic Cafe VI Hoam Art Hall* (See venues for more information) Sept. 12 Music critic and radio personality Chang Il-bum will host a concert featuring music from Vienna. He will provide narrations for songs, including Johann Strauss’ “Pizzicato Polka,” Rudolf Siecynski’s “Vienna, City of My Dreams,” Franz Peter Schubert’s “Piano Trio,” Beethoven’s “Four Elise” and more. All seats cost 20,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266. Opera ‘La Boheme’ Aram Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex* Oct. 29-31 One of Puccini’s signature works, along with “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly” and “La Boheme” will be staged under the conduction of Kim Duk-gi. The Prime Philharmonic Orchestra will enliven the colorful story about the poor yet passionate lives of artists in 1930s Paris. Tickets cost 10,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call 1577-7766. Glazunov Symphony No. 4 Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts* Sept. 18 Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, comprising of middle and high school students, will deliver Pro

Sep 14, 2010

Art market recovers but still has far to go

By Ines Min The ninth Korean International Art Fair (KIAF) closed its doors at COEX, southern Seoul, Monday, after five days of dealers, curators and curious passersby weighed the contents within. Though the art market has considerably slowed since the economic recession in 2008, aesthetes are hopeful for a slow rise back to pre-crash figures, with KIAF to be one such indicator for the Korean industry. This year’s fair was Asia’s largest yet, surpassing the 2010 Hong Kong Art Fair in May, with 193 galleries from 16 countries, although many sales sheets were still left wanting. ``Compared with last year, there were about 20,000 more people this year and in terms of sales about 3 billion won ($2.54 million) higher,’’ said Pyo Mi-sun, the president of Pyo Gallery and head of the Galleries Association of Korea. ``Although the economy isn’t that great yet _ and whether it’s because of the expectation that the economy will get better or because people just have a big appetite for buying artwork right now and appreciate it ― I think that the recovery of the art industry isn’t far.

Sep 14, 2010

World Expo to promote oriental medicine

By Chung Ah-young The 2010 World Oriental Medicine-Bio Expo will take place in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, from Sept. 16 to Oct. 16 to promote the excellence of oriental medicine to the world. Under the theme of the “Rediscovery of Traditional Oriental Medicine,” the organizers aim to attract some 1.05 million visitors, including 50,000 foreigners from 15 countries during the 31-day event. Participants will deal with the major issues such as globalization and industrialization of traditional medicine at the main halls, such as the Future Oriental Medicine Museum and the Herbal Life Science Museum, along with experience programs such as cultural performances. Among others, representatives from 15 countries will exchange their traditional medicine knowledge and experiences at the World Traditional Medicine Museum. Also, seven Korean prestigious oriental hospitals will take part in the exhibition and experience programs. Jecheon is known as a hub for the production and distribution of 30 percent of the medicinal herbs produced in Korea, due to its natural backd

Sep 13, 2010

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

French design companies converge in Seoul

Taehwa River art fest to return in October

Bolshoi Ballet bridges Seoul-Moscow art scenes

Chuseok Folk games enrich the holidays

Sori festival to mark 10th anniversary

Digital art: cell phones add extra dimension

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Concerts, Museums & Theater

Art market recovers but still has far to go

World Expo to promote oriental medicine

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