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Arts & Theater

More than paint: Asian culture through Realism

By Ines Min ``He who cannot draw on 3,000 years is living hand-to-mouth,’’ Goethe once said, highlighting the necessity of understanding one’s history. Three thousand years might be tough for some to swallow, but an exhibition in downtown Seoul is offering a 100-year slice of Asian art to enlighten minds to the perspectives of the time. ``Realism in Asian Art’’ on display through Oct. 10 at the National Museum of Art, Deoksugung, examines 104 selected works _ many of which are making their Korean debut _ to provide insight into the cultural, societal and ethical mindset of Asian ancestors, far clearer than any history book could provide. Brought together from 10 different countries and organized in conjunction with the National Art Gallery, Singapore, the exhibition focuses on Realism not as a style, but an attitude. ``The verisimilitude in representing likeness of objects and forms enable artists to adopt an analytical attitude towards socio-political issues,’’ according to a curatorial essay on the exhibition. ``Unlike Cubism or any other pictorial expressions for

Aug 4, 2010

Woman uses her breasts as brushes

An American artist is drawing attention with the way she paints _ using her breasts. British tabloid the Sun reported Monday that artist Kira Ayn Varszegi seems to take advantage of the body she has been blessed with. The 34-year-old, who resides in Hartford, Connecticut, began the technique in 2001 and has created thousands of eye-catching pieces. “The vast majority of my paintings are 18" x 24" and typical eBay selling prices run from $40 to $600,” Kira said. "I enjoy working with different mediums and finding new ways to get paint on to a canvas,” she said. "My intention is to provoke emotion through my art, make living spaces more beautiful, spark conversation, and most importantly, make people smile. "My paintings are art I would hang on my own wall. I don't think about what other artists do or galleries would want," she said. The process of painting or the artwork can be seen at www.turtlekiss.com '가슴으로 그린 그림' 엽기女 예술가 화제 미국 출신으로 알려진 한 여성 예술가가 자신의 가슴에 물감을 묻혀 그림을 그리는 것으로 알려져 주목을 받고 있다고 2일 영국 매체 선 등 외신들이 전했다. 미국 북동부 뉴잉글랜드 코네티컷주 출신으로 알려

Aug 3, 2010

Feel pulse of Black Sea via dance

By Lee Hyo-won The Black Sea, cradled between southeastern Europe and Asia, is framed by Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. For Koreans, this batch of countries remains rather veiled with exoticism and mystery, much like the dark color of the inland sea. This summer, various events in the heart of Seoul invite locals to explore the colorful arts and culture of the Black Sea region. Black Sea Cultural Festival The Black Sea Cultural Festival will take place beginning Thursday through Sunday at the National Theater of Korea, near Mt. Nam, downtown Seoul. The event will showcase the arts and traditions of Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine through dance performances, exhibition and lectures. ``In this age of globalization, bilateral cultural exchange and openness are most vital,’’ Jo Dae-shik, director-general for cultural affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told reporters last week about organizing the event. ``We hope to promote public interest and knowledge about the Black Sea region. It is an important area in interna

Aug 3, 2010

Explore avant-garde media fest

By Ines Min Summer blockbusters may be pulling in the big bucks with plenty of action and 3D scenes, but for those looking to broaden their horizons, challenge their philosophies and experiment with a new, creative world, the Seoul International New Media Festival (NEMAF) is just the thing. The 10th edition of NEMAF returns to introduce a batch of indie, avant-garde and boundary-pushing artistic videos, Thursday, with a lineup of work that is sure to satiate the appetites of those looking for something more exhilarating than ``Shrek 4.’’ In its first official year as an international event, NEMAF has managed to bring in a range of media visionaries from 20 countries, featuring 200 artists overall during the festival that runs from Thursday through Aug. 14. Organized by the alternative media theater i-Gong, NEMAF screenings and exhibitions will take place in the Hongdae neighborhood at independent cinemas and cafes. A variety of intriguing works will be shown, from the observational documentaries of New York artist Jem Cohen (``Long for the City,’’ starring Patti Smith,

Aug 3, 2010

Koreas first modern dance competition opens in Seoul

By Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter The inaugural edition of the Korea International Modern Dance Competition (KIMDC) will open from Aug. 7 to 12 in Seoul. Most international dance events feature two parts _ ballet and contemporary dance; this is the first competition in the country that is entirely devoted to the latter genre. Organized by the Dance Association of Korea and sponsored by the Culture Ministry and the Seoul Section of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO), the event will be held at Sangmyung Art Center in Jongno. ``Modern dance covers an extremely diverse and wide range of styles so it might be difficult to weigh talents against one another. But we have arranged this event because the domestic arts scene now boasts international standards. It is also a great chance to showcase global trends,’’ said Kim Bock-hee, president of the Dance Association of Korea, who will serve as the director of the competition. The event is for solo acts by dancers aged between 17 and 28. A total of 15 artists from 11 countries, including finalists from major local competiti

Aug 2, 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

Jul 29, 2010

Concerts, museums & theater

Classical Concert 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 legendary 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 Aug. 6-15 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, 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,

Jul 29, 2010

Hermes award focuses on Korean nature, life

By Ines Min Staff reporter The 11th annual 2010 Hermes Foundation Misulsang exhibition kicked off at the Atelier Hermes in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, last week. The ``misulsang’’ (art award) exhibition features Park Ji-na, Bae Jong-heon and Yangachi, who are contending for the prize of 20 million won, which will be decided in a final judging process. In a press opening last week, each of the artists showed the personality and concepts behind their work, in tellingly brief but explanatory introductions. Park Ji-na’s medium of choice is oil-on-canvas, but portrays the complexities of removed layers and distance. Taking photographs from her daily life, Park returns to the captured moment and re-envisions the time by painting the image, from an approach of objectivity. ``Paintings allow us to peep in on how the space is designed for an artistic activity in a specific community, what kinds of experiences an artist of an era goes through, how we make culture and how an art community is formed in a specific cultural background,’’ Park wrote in a statement. Bae Jong-heon’s m

Jul 26, 2010

Plays flourishing again, musicals waning

By Chung Ah-young Staff reporter Since the smashing success of “The Phantom of the Opera” prompted the rise of local musical productions both in quality and quantity in 2001, the lavish shows have been dominating the theater industry. Plays have been overshadowed by the decade-long musical boom. But recently, plays have been enjoying growing popularity. The musical industry has been showing signs of a letup for the first time since 2001 while plays are attracting more stars from the small and big screens and more fans to the genre. Won Jong-won, musical critic and professor at Soonchunhyang University, says that the market is fluctuating and now the industry is starting to change This year, we can see that many plays are drawing more attention than musicals. The trend began last year and now musicals are not the main players in the performing arts scene,” he said. According to InterparkINT, the nation’s largest online ticket reservation site, last year’s ticket sales for musicals amounted to 80 billion won, down from 100 billion in 2008. The number for the musicals w

Jul 26, 2010

Furniture: inescapable art of life

By Ines Min Staff reporter Is it a table? Or is it a fancy cigarette holder, a wine bar or a game board? It’s art. Furniture is not only a necessity in daily human life, but that integral presence has also transformed it into a premiere outlet for the creative functions of designers and artists alike. This summer, galleries have taken to focusing on specific design movements to expose audiences to the importance of furniture. Starting with the expansive, personal collection of exquisite Bauhaus furniture at the PKM Trinity Gallery in southern Seoul, the seasonal trend has continued to other periods from the past century and beyond. Watch the carpet! Kukje Gallery’s second exhibition space now sports a brand new, cream-colored soft carpet. Peering inside, one sees a brightly-lit space not unlike a high-end, vintage furniture store. In perfectly arranged order, 80- to 100-year-old Art Deco pieces stand on display, from ceiling lamps to desks, chairs to vases, bookshelves to tables. ``Art Deco Masterpieces’’ brings together some of the world’s most sought-after furnit

Jul 23, 2010
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