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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Peony Blossom Paintings Beckon Spring

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The peony traditionally symbolizes wealth, honor and high social position, and is widely used as the motif of the paintings in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The flower has also been deemed the symbol of peace and stability of the nation in the ancient country. The National Museum of Korea is holding an exhibition of peony blossom paintings through June 20. The exhibition features a 10-fold peony blossom screen that has been revealed for the first time in 90 years since it was first obtained by the museum in 1921 along with nine peony-patterned paintings from the Joseon period. The 10-fold screen was specially processed to be protected for the exhibition. The folding screen is 580 centimeters in width and 194 centimeters in height, and retains the original screen frame and its silk background of the floral paintings. The painting depicts the peony blossoms coming into full bloom continuously portrayed from the first fold to the 10th. "Unlike other paintings which portrayed a peony on a separate panel, this work shows the unique style t

Apr 12, 2010

Expatriate Artists Hold Exhibitions in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter As the expatriate community in Korea expands, so is the number of international artists among them. This month, there are two on-going group exhibitions featuring expatriate artists, giving the audience a glimpse of how Korea has inspired and influenced their works. ``Creatures of Habit'' is the second exhibition of the International Artists Community, with artworks by 24 artists from seven countries at the Jay and Na Galleries, downtown Seoul. ``Re-Spectacle'' is being held at Soul Underground, a small cafe in Hongdae, featuring works by three artists from Australia, Canada and the United States. Creatures of Habit The International Artists Community (IAC), a group of 80 artists and art enthusiasts, opened its second exhibition ``Creatures of Habit'' last week. The show features paintings, photographs, videos, installations and performance art by artists from Brunei, Canada, Chile, Korea, Lebanon, the United Kingdom and the United States. ``The theme of the exhibition is `habits,' therefore the whole format of the show is

Apr 12, 2010

Lee Ufan Ranked Best-Selling Korean Artist in 2009

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Artist Lee Ufan was the most successful Korean artist last year with a total sales worth of $4.16 million (4.6 billion won), according to the online art market Web site Artprice. The 74-year-old was ranked 164th in Artprice’s report under the category ``Top 500 Artprice 2009 Artists ranked by auction turnover’’ Sunday. Last year his highest bidding was $696,600 and his highest ever was in 2008, at $990,000. Lee sold a total of 65 lots in 2009, marking the 30th among the most selling surviving artists and 13th among surviving Asians. Along with Lee, Kim Tschang-yeol ranked 368th, Kim Whan-ki was 484th and video artist Paik Name-june followed at 491th. Pablo Picasso was ranked No. 1 with $1.2 billion in the auction revenue race, while Andy Warhol followed at $1 billion. The most selling surviving artist was Chinese abstract artist Zao Wou-ki, selling more than $33 million. American artist Jeff Koons ranked second with $28 million. Damien Hirst, whose work ``Beautiful Inside My Head Forever’’ sold at $171.6 million in 2008, ran

Apr 12, 2010

Thai Brand Project Eyeing the World

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter For a leader of any nation, it is important to understand the potential of the country and further introduce its culture to the world. In the case of Thailand, preparations and plans have been made on a larger scale, with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit backing a national project aimed to promote Thai products. Thailand is already famous for its various handicrafts thanks to its rich culture, but the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) is sponsoring their journey to a more international level. ``This organization is to (initially) help Her Majesty to support village people to increase their income and to have a job during the non-farming period. We send teachers and experts to teach them to make handicrafts, including textiles, fabrics and pottery. Then, Her Majesty buys back the products to the palace. That’s how she can market the products,’’ Kunyaphan Raengkhum, CEO of SACICT, told The Korea Times during an interview last week. Raengkhum was in Seoul with his staff to promote the products and to also search for bu

Apr 11, 2010

Steve McCurry’s ‘Unguarded Moment’ in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Who would have thought a wide-eyed Afghan girl would become National Geographic magazine's most iconic photograph of all time? American photographer Steve McCurry is still surprised at how his photograph of the girl inside a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan in 1984, still resonates with millions of people today. ``The astonishing thing is, even though it was taken more than 25 years ago, the interest and fascination with that picture continues until today. We get e-mails every day from people all over the world, still making inquiries. I think interest has actually increased since she first appeared on the cover (in June 1985),'' McCurry said, in a press conference at Park Hyatt Hotel, Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, Tuesday. The identity of the Afghan girl was unknown for years, until McCurry and National Geographic went back to Afghanistan in 2002 and found the woman named Sharbat Gula. ``I think the reason why she resonated with so many people is there was an ambiguity and mystery, plus a beauty, a haunted quality and a

Apr 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. Cafe Mou Sinsa-dong This cafe has a rich ethnic interior that mixes inspirations that its owner got from travels to such places as Morocco and France. Its menu is limited, but features desserts. It’s located at the edge of Dosan Park. 650-9 Park View Building, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, near the Cine City Theater in Apgujeongdong. Call (02) 3444-6069. Naos Nova

Apr 8, 2010

Concerts, Museums & Theater

Classical Concerts Chin Un-suk’s Ars Nova Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts April 14 Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra presents its biannual contemporary classical music showcase, organized by the composer-in-residence Chin Un-suk. Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won for the second series. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3700-6300. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. 2010 Matinee Concert Concert Hall, Seongnam Arts Center April 15 Seongnam Art Center presents a matinee concert, with popular baritone Kim Dong-gyu and classical pianist Elizabeth Joy Roe. The concert will feature Brahms’s “Hungarian Dances,” Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor, Op. 21,” and Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88.” All tickets cost 24,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (031) 783-8000. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang subway line. BBC Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center May 16 The BBC Symphony Orchestra, led by Czech conductor

Apr 8, 2010

Namsan Arts Center Seeks Creative Theater

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Since the Namsan Arts Center reopened last year, the theater has sought to create new theatrical works that will compete with those of other medium-sized venues that have recently sprung up in its vicinity. The center has released its 2010 season line-up, showing its cultural diversity and creative output. Under the slogan of ``Contemporary and New Wave,'' the theater will present 10 works including four new plays this year. ``Last year, our theater was transformed into a new playhouse from the old drama house. This year might be the litmus test for the theater's future direction. We will focus on producing new works rather than renting the theater to outsiders,'' said Ahn Ho-sang, CEO of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture in a press conference. The foundation runs the center. The 2010 program features active participations of young female thespians and contemporary theater works that reflect current needs. ``The recent trend of the theaters is shifting from renting to creating. Many medium-sized theaters such as Myeongdon

Apr 7, 2010

Kim Bo-sul Mixes Art & Technology

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Art meets technology in the works by New York-based multimedia artist Kim Bo-sul. Kim, who is also a video designer, animation filmmaker and painter, directed a piece, ``Shadow, My Shadow,'' that was picked for the 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. This is the largest event presenting contemporary work in performance design, with entries from 70 countries. ``Many years ago, I visited Prague to see the Quadrennial exhibition. I thought, `one day I want to work in this field!' So when I found out I was selected for the 2011 Quadrennial, it was like a personal goal coming true. I am honored to be selected as a visual artist who has been exploiting theatrical elements, performance, environment and audience to create new forms and genres,'' she said, in an e-mail interview with The Korea Times. ``Shadow, My Shadow'' is a multimedia performance that combines choreography, video and hand-drawn animation. Kim said it is about a girl on a journey of self-discovery who discovers a dark but true side of herself. `

Apr 7, 2010

Floral Bead Art Welcomes Spring

Floral Bead Art Welcomes Spring By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Butterflies amid the budding greenery serenade the coming of spring, along with the pastel-colored, floral motifs that begin to appear on women’s attire. Prepare for the new season with some timely bead accessories ― a delicate jade butterfly brooch perched upon your chest, or a bold bead pendant shouting flower power. Kim In-sook has set the trend in Korea for big jewelry made of antique beads and precious stones that make daring statements. Her works are popular among celebrities and the local foreign community and can also be found at the upscale gift shop of the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul. In 2007 she held a joint exhibition with Lisa Vershbow, jewelry designer and wife of the former American ambassador to Korea. The 71-year-old is displaying her latest works in her seventh annual exhibition, ``Bead Garden,’’ through Friday at the Hallasan Room of the Seoul Club, near Mt. Nam. ``I worked with wires while watching the Vancouver Winter Olympics on television, and my hands are a mess. But even t

Apr 7, 2010
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