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Arts & Theater

Korean cotton culture may have begun 800 years earlier

By Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter New archeological research suggests that the cotton culture here may have begun 800 years earlier than previously thought. It had been widely accepted that cotton was introduced in the Korean Peninsula in the late 14th century when a diplomat brought home cotton flower seeds from China. The Buyeo National Museum, while examining items for an exhibition, recently discovered that one of the artifacts from a 1999 excavation of a temple site in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo, was made of cotton, a local daily reported Thursday. Measuring 12 by 2 centimeters, the item was unearthed along with various treasures from the 6th-century Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.-660 A.D.). This implies that the introduction or plantation of cotton took place in Korea some 800 years earlier than previously thought, when Mun Ik-jeom (1329-98) brought cotton flower seeds here around 1363. The museum was quoted as saying that the material is indeed cotton, citing research by museum researchers and members of the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage's research team. Results yie

Jul 15, 2010

Toxic Avenger to go on stage in August

By Chung Ah-young Staff reporter The Broadway comedy musical "The Toxic Avenger" based on the 1985 film of the same name will make its way to Korea for the first time. The musical was written by Broadway hit maker Joe DiPietro, composed by Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan, and directed by John Rando. When it premiered in 2009, the musical created the so-called "toxic" syndrome on Broadway. Set in Tromaville, New Jersey, the story revolves around a mutant superhero called Toxie. Aspiring earth scientist nerd Melvin wants to save New Jersey from environmental pollution for the sake of its citizens and Sarah, the beautiful blind girl he loves. One day, he comes to discover the shocking truth at the archive of the city library Sarah works for. It is Babs Belogoody, the city mayor who permits all kinds of toxic waste to be dumped in the city in return for kickbacks. With dreams of becoming the governor, the mayor orders two goons to get rid of Melvin to hide the truth. The two goons throw Melvin into the sticky, toxic substance tank and believe him to be dead. But Melvin i

Jul 14, 2010

Experience waves of Fluxus across Korea

By Ines Min Staff reporter One of the greatest aspects of an art movement is seeing its continuing ripples of inspiration after it concludes. Fluxus ― an international network formed in the 1960s characterized by artists with malleable definitions of disciplines ― has been noted in history as being years ahead of its time. Today, the style continues to inspire while original proponents take their last stand. Paik Nam June Art Center The late Paik Nam June, a leading member of the Fluxus movement, will have been 78-years-old on July 20. In commemoration of the event, his eponymous art center in Gyeonggi Province will hold a special workshop and performance from July 19 to 20. Monday's workshop will feature a lecture with the 76-year-old Ben Patterson ― a fellow Fluxus artist, musician and friend of Paik ― Tobias Berger and Kim Eun-ji, followed by a Q-and-A session. Tuesday, Patterson will share his music with the audience in a performance of ``12 Piano Compositions for Nam June Paik,'' a piece by Fluxus member George Maciunas, as well as ``Greetings to Nam June

Jul 14, 2010

Family opera offers dose of Ravelian magic

By Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Upon seeing the fantasy opera ``L'Enfant et les sortileges" (The Child and Magic), one might initially question ― what in the world was Maurice Ravel, the composer of lush virtuosic piano concertos and orchestral works like ``Bolero,'' doing, writing ragtime scores for a fox-trotting teapot and cup duo along with erratically melodic meows for cats? The Korea National Opera is now offering the fairytale at Seoul Arts Center as part of its My First Opera series. ``L'Enfant,'' based on the scenario and libretto by the celebrated French novelist Colette, has rarely been staged since its 1925 premiere, and again one has to wonder why it hasn't already become a more seasonal production for the family. And just because this is a fairytale doesn't mean it features simple music ― the opera features all the hallmarks of Ravelian harmonic tanginess in the orchestral and choral music, crowned by simple, unpretentious melodies. ``I believe in melody. Yes, melody, bel canto, vacalises, vocal virtuosity ― for me this is where I started off,'' the composer hi

Jul 13, 2010

Int’l photo festival to open for month-long run

By Ines Min Staff reporter Yeongwol County in Gangwon Province may be a sleepy region for most of the year, but locals and tourists alike cool down from the heat each summer with a cornucopia of art photography. The ninth Dong-gang International Photo Festival 2010 opens this month throughout the county, in a celebration of new and old photographers that features eight different exhibitions, and a range of special lectures and workshops. This year's main exhibition, ``Chill My Seoul,'' brings together 11 German artists who provide their interpretations of portraiture. Curated by Kai Uwe Schierz, an honorary professor at the Bauhaus University Weimar, the exhibition brings some of Germany's best to Korea, selected by the natives themselves. ``Rather than seeking to identify and present whatever might be considered relevant or acceptable national characteristics, the German contribution to the festival has chosen to focus on the human image in photography,'' Schierz said in a statement. ``As an expression of encounter, empathy and interpretation.'' Walter Bergmoser,

Jul 11, 2010

Behind the scenes at MOCA: art conservation

By Ines Min Staff reporter There's more to this art than meets the eye. Decades-old multimedia paintings, installations of delicate wire and metal and retro cleaning supplies dot the vast landscape of the gallery. What appears to be a simple exhibition is in fact also the meticulous work of art conservators ― and the guardians of these classics. In collaboration with the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), an exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Spain and Korea kicks off Tuesday at the National Museum of Contemporary Art Korea (MOCA), with an impressive collection of works by 63 Spanish and international artists. The museum invited the press for a behind-the-scenes look at the installation process, a glance at how the magic of aesthetics is recreated. A look past the curtain The space in the exhibition hall of MOCA Korea rings with the echoes of footsteps and blurred speech. ``Creu I R'' (1975), a famous work by Catalan painter Antoni Tapies, can be seen among an array of others, dutifully lined up and leaning against whi

Jul 9, 2010

Clubs, art exhibitions & sports games

Clubs Underlounge Seoul Hongdae or Hongik University Area This is the local club of a hip Japanese chain that’s also in Shanghai. Located in the famous clubbing area, Hongdae, it’s all flashy with loud music and lights. Spacious, with a supersized crystal ball hanging over your head, DJs from near and far make music while you can hang out at the bar or classy private rooms. Located near the main entrance of Hongik Univ. Call (02) 325-5715 or visit www.underlounge.kr. Club M2 Hongdae M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor and the DJ are in the center of the club, which attracts a trendy crowd along with models and celebrities. Packed on the weekends. Check www.ohoo.net. 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.

Jul 8, 2010

Concerts, museums & theater

Classical Concerts World Orchestra Concert Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* (See venues for more information) July 27 For the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War (1950-53), musicians from U.N. member nations that helped South Korea will come together in concert. Christoph Poppen will conduct the group of musicians from Korea, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Greece and Italyamong others for Rossini’s “William Tell Overture,” Prokofiev’s “Ode to the End of the War,” Mahler’s “Symphony No.5” and Brahms’ “Symphony No.2.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743. 2010 SAC Youth Concert Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center* July 17 Start an exciting music journey with conductor Sung Ki-sun, pianist/commentator Julius Jeongwon Kim and the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra. They will deliver scores by Schumann including “Piano Concerto in A minor” and “Symphony No.3 ‘Rhein’” (1st, 2nd and 5th mov.). Tickets cost 10,000 to 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300. Lee Mi-sun Percussion Recital Chamber H

Jul 8, 2010

Weekender Summer theater fests beckon

By Chung Ah-young Staff reporter Every summer, Avignon in France turns into a city-theater sizzling with tens of thousands of theater-goers, often on vacation and far from home, staying for several days to experience outdoor performances. So why not have the same in Korea? Two international performing arts festivals in South Gyeongsang Province, held every summer, are inviting theater-lovers to attend open-air attractions. Both are held on outdoor stages but have distinct characters, offering a variety of shows, plays, dances and musicals to celebrate contemporary living culture. Keochang International Festival of Theater (KIFT) The Keochang (Geochang) International Festival of Theater (KIFT) makes a good use of the beautiful natural backdrops of the region blessed with picturesque mountains and valleys as part of its outdoor stages. The festival began as a small event to promote friendship among theater groups in the region in 1989 and remained running as a local event until 1997. However, thanks to the efforts of Lee Jong-il, chairman of the executive committ

Jul 8, 2010

Kiss Me, Kate offers mature love story

By Chung Ah-young Staff reporter David Swan is a household name among Korean musical fans as he has been directing hit musicals from "Jekyll and Hyde," "Man of La Mancha," "All Shook Up," "My Fair Lady." to the upcoming "Kiss Me, Kate." His productions are mostly marked with wit and humor in the full localization of the foreign licensed musicals removing cultural barriers. Concerning his successful career here in Korea, Swan's answer is simple and confident. "The first thing that I was trying to do is that I was trying to make the musical that I want to see and that I think is interesting and exciting for me. I am very self critical. If I can make it likable for me, then usually it's pretty good," Swan said in an interview with The Korea Times. The American director said that it was possible because, regardless of race and nationality, the emotions people share are almost the same. "I think people feel a lot of the same things and I think the honesty and emotions I work so hard in my shows are relatable although we do have some different experiences and how things are e

Jul 7, 2010
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