Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Sillas gold crowns shine with nobility

By Chung Ah-young Golden crowns and other accessories from the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-935 A.D.) are captivating exhibition visitors to the National Museum of Korea with their riveting beauty and elaborate handiwork. Luminous treasures from the Silla period, particularly a gold crown, National Treasure No. 188, excavated from the Cheonmachong Tomb, which are originally housed by the Gyeongju National Museum, are being presented throughout Feb. 13 in Seoul. First excavated from the tomb in 1973, the crown measuring 32.5 centimeters in height and 20 centimeters in width has three prongs forming the Chinese character “mountain” in the front with two prongs in the shape of a deer antler at the back. The crown is appreciated as the supreme artifact representing the Silla culture for its elaborate craftwork and the high quality of the gold unlike other similar crowns. The artifact is estimated to date back to the early 5th- or 6th- century along with the other relics found in the same tomb. The crown was once displayed at Seoul’s museum in 1974, one year after it was disco

Aug 17, 2010

Exploring art options for children

By Ines Min For those who want to escape into the cool air and aura of art galleries but are worried about what to do with their children, youth-oriented programs are often available at these creative centers. And, while tours are not necessary to fully appreciate a piece, two shows in Seoul that work best with some explanation are offering special guide services to those eager to bring the kids along. The National Museum of Art, Deoksugung, is holding a special tours of its ``Realism in Asian Art’’ exhibition for students, from the summer vacation to the end of its run on Oct. 10. The exhibition, jointly curated with the National Art Gallery, Singapore, brings together 104 works from 10 countries, and paints a historically-significant portrait of the Asian consciousness from the mid-1800s. The material carries complex levels behind its organization, with even placement on the walls giving further insight into the work. The tours, available to children from upper elementary school to high school, will allow participating youth to fully experience the observations be

Aug 16, 2010

Vagabond art brings traveling tales indoors

By Ines Min The party doesn’t start till they arrive. The Arko Art Center in Daehangno, central Seoul, is hosting an unusual and progressive exhibition inside their gallery: ``Nomadic Party.’’ Held in coordination with Nine Dragon Heads ― an international art collective that focuses on the relationship between mankind and nature ― the unique show provides a moving timeline of work that visitors are invited to become an audience for. Twenty-six artists from 14 countries have gathered to participate in the show that features a diversity of found objects, drawings, audio art, installations and outdoor performances created while traveling. Though centered at the Arko Art Center, the exhibition is a literal moving group of artists, who interact with their environment to create new work through cooperation and communication. After an introductory performance for the exhibition last week, the group, whose nationalities include Korean, Swiss, Croatian and New Zeeland, headed to the Silk Road, toward the Tian Shan Mountains, the Taklamakan Desert and the Gobi Desert. After prod

Aug 13, 2010

Media City Seoul sheds biennale image

By Ines Min 2010 Media City Seoul ― previously known as the Seoul International Media Art Biennale ― is taking a new turn this year, shedding tradition to revitalize the annual show, organizers announced at a press conference earlier this week in the capital. Besides a change in name, a revamped logo and a change of pace will mark this year’s Media City Seoul, which was established in 2000 and is one of the few international art affairs here that focus solely on media art. Kicking off next month, the showcase will include works by 46 artists from 21 countries. ``We did not want to give off an image as a one-time event by using the name biennale,’’ said artistic director Kim Sun-jung, former chief curator at the Art Sonje Center. Additionally, a return to basics will re-focus this year’s exhibition, which will run under the theme of ``Trust.’’ ``Instead of simply stepping up to the speed of technology, the curatorial team of Media City Seoul 2010 proceeds from a desire to pause, reflect, and critique the transitions and transformations of our social contexts,’’ accord

Aug 13, 2010

Clubs, art exhibitions & sports games

Clubs Club Answer Cheongdam-dong Club Answer is one of Seoul’s luxury venues for electronic music. Located south of the Han River in Cheongdam-dong, the club showcases the world’s best DJs and performers of many sub-genres of house music. Equipped with state of the art sound and lighting, the extensive space encourages both dancing and taking a moment out. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr. Club Heaven Yeoksam-dong Located next to the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, 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 famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it

Aug 12, 2010

Concerts, museums & theater

Concerts Leonard Bernstein’s Youth Concert Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* (See venues for more information) Aug. 18 In time for the 20th anniversary of the death of conductor Leonard Bernstein, conductor Seo Hui-tae will take the baton in a concert that invites youths to ponder the meaning of music. The program includes the “William Tell” overture by Rossini, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by Mozart and “The Flight of Bumble-Bee” by Rimsky-Korsakov. Tickets cost from 15,000 to 45,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6377-1250. Summer Vacation Project Performance Hall and Concert Hall, Dream Forest Arts Center Through Aug. 15 Dream Forest Arts Center presents a relay of performances for the younger audience ranging from “gukak” (traditional Korean music) to classical music and plays. Concerts will feature Korean folksongs and classics including “Nocturne Op. 9-2,” “Etude, Op. 10-3,” “Polka” and more by Quartet X. Maestro Geum Nan-sae will also provide explanations. In the Performance Hall, musicals and plays will be staged. Tickets cost 5,000 to 10,000 won.

Aug 12, 2010

World fest to attract modern theaters

By Chung Ah-young A variety of masterful performing arts from dance, theater to music from nine countries will attract theatergoers together to the 4th World Festival of National Theaters which will take place at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30. Since 2007, the festival has grown into one of the nation’s biggest events, based on ever expanding ties with national theaters throughout the world. This year’s lineup features 34 pieces of contemporary theater that encompass modernism and post-modernism in theatrical arts and reinterpret the classical pieces for two months.

Aug 11, 2010

Face of Gwanghwamun to be unveiled Aug. 15

By Chung Ah-young Gwanghwamun, the main entrance to Gyeongbok Palace, will restore its grandeur as the symbolic landmark at the heart of the city. The gate will be unveiled on Aug. 15, Liberation Day, to mark the 100th anniversary of Japan’s forced annexation of Korea after some three-years of reconstruction that began in October 2006. It was also part of the Gyeongbok Palace restoration project that started in 1990. Gwanghwamun was first built in 1395, the fourth year of King Taejo of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), but was burnt down during the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century. The gate was reconstructed in the reign of King Gojong in 1865, but Japanese Imperialists moved the building to the north of Geonchunmun, the east gate of the palace, when the headquarters of the Japanese Government-General in Korea was built right behind Gwanghwamun in the 1920s. The gate was destroyed again during the Korean War (1950-53) and rebuilt using concrete, instead of wood, in 1968. It was also moved 11.2 meters to the north and 13.5 meters to the east and also rotated 3.75

Aug 9, 2010

Young design contests offer new opportunities

By Ines Min Artists here and around the globe are pulling up their sleeves in preparation for upcoming competitions, which have busied summer schedules already full of biennales and exhibitions. Two young competitions, the Sangsangmadang Design Award and the Prix Emile Hermes, are offering the best opportunities to local and international audiences. Sangsangmadang Design Award Already known as a cultural hub in the creative area surrounding Hongik University, Hongdae, KT&G’s Sangsangmadang is a combination exhibition hall, art shop, cinema, open space and academy. The inaugural Sangsangmadang Design Award 2010 is taking off this year to extend its resources into another area: Finding the best among the unknown to showcase to the art world. Open to the public, anyone ― from college

Aug 6, 2010

Clubs, art exhibitions & sports games

Clubs Le Nuit Blanche Cheongdam-dong Formerly Club Answer, Le Nuit Blanche is introduced as a posh restaurant, theater and club. Located in front of Hotel Prima in Cheongdam-dong, Le Nuit Blanche offers Cirque du Soleil-type performances at its theater restaurant. World class DJs from all over the world are invited to perform at the club. Call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.lenuitblanche.com. Club Heaven Yeoksam-dong Located next to the Renaissance Seoul Hotel, 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 famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud musi

Aug 5, 2010

Arts & Theater

Arts & Theater

Sillas gold crowns shine with nobility

Exploring art options for children

Vagabond art brings traveling tales indoors

Media City Seoul sheds biennale image

Clubs, art exhibitions & sports games

Concerts, museums & theater

World fest to attract modern theaters

Face of Gwanghwamun to be unveiled Aug. 15

Young design contests offer new opportunities

Clubs, art exhibitions & sports games

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