Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Ahns Innovative Work Tells Tale of Princess Bari

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Choreographer and dancer Ahn Eun-me has created another distinctive and innovative work, ``Princess Bari ― The Death,'' to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of Myeongdong Theater in Seoul. The Ahn Eun-me Company is famous for its experimental and avant-garde performances that fuse different genres, and the troupe is expected to bring a breath of fresh air to the dance scene. Bari was originally a folktale about a young princess who journeys to hell to save her father. Desiring a son, the king casts out her out after birth. But when he becomes ill and finds out that she is the only one who can save his life, he calls to her, pleading for help. The story takes a turn when Bari returns to her father, only to find that she is too late ― he has already passed away. In desperation, Bari performs a special revival dance and touched by her love and devotion, hell brings the king back to life. ``Princess Bari'' is comprised of two parts. The first, ``Princess Bari ― The Life,'' was staged in 2007, and the sequel will debut this

Feb 21, 2010

Korean Contemporary Art Goes to New York

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Korean contemporary art is going to the Big Apple. The Korean Art Show, organized by the Galleries Association of Korea and Korea International Art Fair (KIAF), will be presented from March 3 to 7 at La.venue, New York City. This is the first time Korean galleries will be gathering to showcase the best of contemporary Korean art to an international audience in New York. ``Our mission is to show the world the talent and unique vision of Korean artists while connecting them to international collectors from across the globe," organizers said, in a statement. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports is supporting the show, with the primary goal of globalizing Korean contemporary art. Around 24 Korean galleries, representing the most exciting contemporary Korean artists, will be participating in the event. The landmark exhibition will be held to coincide with some of New York's major art fairs ― The Armory Show, SCOPE, PULSE, Red Dot and Volta. Despite a growing interest in Asian art in recent years, Korean cont

Feb 19, 2010

Clubs, Traditional, Arts Exhibitions, Kids and Sports

Clubs 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 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. 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 o

Feb 18, 2010

Classical Concerts, Big Tickets, Pop and Jazz, Plays and Musicals

Classical Concerts Soprano Barbara Bonney's Recital Aram Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex Feb. 19 American soprano Barbara Bonney will perform at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex this February. The recital will feature Mozart's "Porgi amor," Mendelssohn's "Six duets, op. 63," and Delibes "Flower duet" with Mezzo soprano Fional Campbell and Pianist Alisdair Hogarth. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call 1588-7890. Located near exit 3 of Jeongbalsan Station on subway line 3. Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill's Recital Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center March 5 Star violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill will perform at Seoul Arts Center this March. He will play songs from his new album "NORE-Songs without words" such as Brahms's "Vier ernste Gesange, Op. 121," and Rachmaninov's "Vocalise." Tickets cost from 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1577-5266. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. BBC Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall, Seoul

Feb 18, 2010

Gwangju Biennales 10,000 Lives to Open in September

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The 8th Gwangju Biennale, widely considered Korea's biggest contemporary art event, will unfold in September under the theme ``10,000 Lives.'' The biennale, held in Gwangju opens Sept. 3 and runs through Nov. 7. Massimiliano Gioni, director of the Gwangju Biennale, said the title of the upcoming biennale will investigate the relationships that connect people with images. The biennale will feature art works by more than 100 artists made between 1901 and 2010, plus several new commissions. The exhibition will be turned into a temporary museum, where artworks and cultural artifacts are ``brought together to compose an idiosyncratic catalogue of figures and icons, faces and masks, idols and dolls.'' "The history of art is largely one of people looking at people, of eyes staring at bodies, of objects and figures created as surrogates of ourselves," Gioni said in a statement. The title is taken from renowned Korean author Ko Un's 30-volume epic poem ``Maninbo'' (10,000 Lives). Ko was imprisoned in 1980 for participating in the

Feb 17, 2010

Joint Security Area Becomes Musical

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The 2000 Korean film "Joint Security Area (JSA)"based on the novel "DMZ" by Park Sang-yeon will be turned into a musical later this year. It is the first of its kind to deal with the politically sensitive subject of occurrences between North and South Korea on stage. Renowned writer of "DMZ" and the drama "Great Queen Seondeok," Park will modify his original work for the stage version. The novel, which was released in 1997, focuses on invisible powers which destroy humanity through hostilities between the two Koreas, while the film version highlights on humanity and sheds a new light on North Korea rather than merely highlighting ideological conflicts. The musical will use visual effects to portray the breathtaking natural landscape of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), along with dynamic and vibrant musical numbers. The Muk Company said that it has not decided on casting but it will have a star-studded lineup, equivalent to that of the film version starring Lee Byung-hun, Lee Young-ae and Song Kang-ho. "The musical will be different f

Feb 16, 2010

Textile Artist to Hold Exhibition

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Textile artist Cha Young-soon is holding an exhibition named ``The Code'' featuring ``hanji,'' Korean traditional paper. Cha has twisted mulberry paper, a type of hanji, like thread and managed to create distinctive patterns. More than 10 works will be displayed at the gallery. ``I invented the hanji twisting method myself. The threads are all handmade and they represent simplicity and also an abstract form of calligraphy,'' she told The Korea Times during a phone interview. By only using black and white paper, she offers simple yet geometrical proportions and shapes. ``I used different colors in other exhibitions, but this time I only used black and white because I thought the two colors were the best way to express contrast. We have had so much snow this winter and when I looked out at the snow, I saw a bunch of white and the thin black tree branches. There was snow, branches and small cracks of sunlight. My works represent the personal feelings I had then,'' she said. The hanji threads differ in length and width, and there wa

Feb 16, 2010

Wolfgang Joop Presents Death & Faith in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter German fashion designer-turned-artist Wolfgang Joop likes to say ``fashion is my passion, art is my obsession.'' Joop first became known for his ``passion,'' establishing the designer clothing and cosmetics brand Joop!, and later with the avant-garde brand Wunderkind. But even as he designed his fashion collections, art has always been his ``obsession.'' ``In fashion, they told me I was too artistic, and in art, they told me I was too chic. Now after going back and forth, I know what I'm doing and I know what I want to do,'' he told The Korea Times, last Friday. Joop was in town for the opening of ``Death and Faith'' at Michael Schultz Gallery Seoul, his first not just in Korea but in Asia. At the gallery, one can find a row of neo-classical sculptures of angels, with wings in mid-flight and faces frozen with expressions of shock or awe, depending on your interpretation. On the walls hang gauzy white and black batiste fabrics delicately embroidered with cherry blossoms, skulls and brides, with titles such as ``Eternal Love''

Feb 12, 2010

Clubs, Traditional, Art Exhibitions, Kids and Sports

Clubs 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 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. 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 o

Feb 11, 2010

Classical Concert, Big Tickets, Pop & Jazz, Plays & Musicals

Classical Concerts Soprano Barbara Bonney's Recital Aram Theater, Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex Feb. 19 American soprano Barbara Bonney will perform in Korea for the first time in six years. The recital will feature Mozart's "Porgi amor," Mendelssohn's "Six duets, Op. 63," and Delibes "Flower Duet" with mezzo-soprano Fional Campbell and pianist Alisdair Hogarth. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 100,000 won. Visit theater.ticketlink.co.kr or call 1588-7890. Located near exit 3 of Jeongbalsan Station on subway line 3. 2010 Matinee Concert Concert Hall, Seongnam Art Center Feb. 18 Seongnam Art Center presents its 2010 Matinee Concert with the KBS Symphony Orchestra. Popular baritone Kim Dong-gyu will provide commentary to facilitate understanding of classical music. All tickets cost 24,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 783-8000. Located near exit 1 of Imae Station on the Bundang line. Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill's Recital Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center March 5 Star violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill will perform at Seoul Ar