Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Financier-Turned-Artist Displays Ink Work

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter ``Hwajohwa,'' or depictions of flowers and birds, are pervasive in traditional Oriental paintings. But a financier-turned-artist invites viewers into a world that is modern rather than obsolete. Ahn Chang-soo, a newly budding artist at the age of 64, will share his poetic observation of nature in a solo exhibition in Seoul this week. The artist was born in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province. He worked as a financial specialist before entering the arts scene in his 60s. He studied calligraphy in Hangzhou, China, Indian ink painting in Kyoto, Japan, and finally returned to his hometown for the first time in 45 years to concentrate on the latter, which he calls his ``childhood friend.'' Ahn calls painting a process of ``sharing'' as well as a search for self, particularly following the long period of separation from art, or his childhood friend, during his stint as a financier in the mundane world. In his exhibition he will share various hwajohwa, featuring flowers, trees and animals. Unlike traditional Indian ink works, which are marked by

Nov 15, 2009

Ballet Gala to Offer Dance, Classical Music

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Some of Korea's best ballet dancers and classical musicians are getting together for a special performance in January titled ``Etoile Ballet Gala 2010.'' ``Etoile'' means ``star'' in French. Featuring top ballet dancers such as Kim Yong-geol, Kim Ji-young and Seo Hee, the gala will offer visitors a fresh and memorable start to the year with ballet and classical music. Unlike contemporary gala shows where the dancers move to recorded music, ``Etoile'' offers live music by pianist Kim Sun-wook and violinist Jang Yoo-jin. ``It is meaningful that we get a chance to stand on stage with musicians and we believe we will be able to offer a distinctive performance for ballet and classical music fans,'' Kim Ji-young, the principal dancer at the Korea National Ballet Company (KNBC), said. Vincero, one of Korea's leading performance companies, is celebrating its 15th anniversary next year, and in order to do something extra special, it is planning to run the show for three consecutive years. Vincero took the example of past Japanese gala pe

Nov 15, 2009

Martin Creed Turns on Lights at Art Sonje

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter When Scottish artist Martin Creed won the Turner Prize in 2001 for his installation ``Work No. 227: The lights going on and off," many were perplexed at how something as simple as an empty room with lights switching on and off could be considered fine art. Creed has always confounded people with his minimalist art that often makes use of everyday objects. His first solo show in Seoul, on-going at the Art Sonje Center, Sokeuk-dong, offers a selection of his works throughout the years, including sculptures, drawings, audio and film, which are guaranteed to draw mixed reactions. ``His art brings maximum thinking through minimum work and draws worldwide attention with its properties contrary to overstating aspects of the visual culture of our times," the exhibition introduction stated. Upon entering the hall, visitors are greeted by a stack of wooden beams (``Work No. 396"), while various sounds echo in the background. The lights turn on and off at 30 second intervals in ``Work No. 127: The Lights Going On and Off", while heavy bla

Nov 13, 2009

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. 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 open 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

Nov 12, 2009

Concerts, Museums & Theater

Classical Concerts Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's Masterpiece Series VI Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center Nov. 13 Maestro Chung Myung-whun will lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in its eighth Masterpiece Series, featuring pianist Cedric Tiberghien in Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K. 453" and Bruckner's "Symphony No. 9 in D minor." Tickets cost from 10,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 3700-6300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Opera 'La Forza del Destino' Grand Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 19-22 The Seoul Metropolitan Opera will present "La Forza del Destino" as the last installment of its Verdi's Big 5 Series. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 1544-1555. Located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. Kaori Muraji's Guitar Recital 'The Arpeggione' Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center Nov. 22 Japanese guitarist Kaori Muraji, who was praised by the great compo

Nov 12, 2009

Arario Gallery Celebrates 20 Years

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Arario Gallery is holding an exhibition featuring works by top international artists, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Marc Quinn, Neo Rauch, Sigmar Polke and Tracey Emin. ``Arario's Finest: 20th year Anniversary Exhibition" is being held simultaneously at Arario Gallery in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and in Seoul, through January. Arario Gallery owner Kim Chang-il decided to show off some prized pieces from his extensive art collection for the special anniversary exhibition. In a meeting with reporters at the gallery Friday, Kim recalled how he started his collection, which includes some famous works by Young British Artists (YBAs) and Young German Artists. Kim admitted he was ``lucky" to have acquired works by some artists, who have now become famous. ``When I bought some of the works, the artists weren't that famous yet. They were the reason I became famous. Because I bought them during their early years, and then they became famous," he said. It's not just luck but his a

Nov 11, 2009

Tunisian Embassy Holds Handicraft Exhibition

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia and the Tunisian National Handicraft Office are holding a ``Tunisian Handicraft Exhibition'' at Seoul Center for Culture and Tourism, through Nov. 20. The event celebrates the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and offers an opportunity to discover some examples of interesting handicraft from Tunisia, which boasts 3,000 years of civilization. The exhibition presents various kitchen appliances, ornaments, scarves and even the Tunisian traditional costume, Jebba. Some of the most interesting items are the colorful plates and dishes that were brought from Tunisia just for the occasion. ``These dishes were used by Tunisians when they eat couscous. They would place the food on the large dish, and the family members would take a serving on their own matching individual dishes,'' Jeong Song-hyun, the Tunisian Ambassador Mustapha Khammari's secretary, said. Couscous is a famous dish consisting of vegetables and semolina wheat, popular in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and

Nov 9, 2009

Happiness Fills Romero Brittos Art

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The bright colors and fanciful Pop Art imagery in Romero Britto's artwork has made people all over the world smile, like the quirky ``Big Apple" sculpture at JFK International Airport, New York, or his many fun sculptures found around Miami. ``The success of my art is that people see happiness in it. It doesn't matter where you come from, what you believe in, because when you wake up in the morning, you want to be happy," Britto said in a press conference at Opera Gallery, Cheongdam-dong, Thursday. The Miami-based artist was in town for the opening of ``Britto in Seoul," a special exhibition for Opera Gallery's second anniversary. ``I'm really happy to be here. I was born in Brazil but I wanted to show my art to so many people in the world. I know Koreans love colors, they have a great sense of style, and I think my art can be part of their everyday lives," he said. Born in 1963, Britto grew up with eight brothers and sisters in Recife, Brazil. His childhood was chaotic, and he found escape through school. ``Going to sch

Nov 9, 2009

From Evita to Hero, Musical Diva Goes Her Way

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter When Kim Sun-young made her debut in the musical "Fame" in 1999, the local industry was just beginning to blossom. Ten years later, she is enjoying her heyday amid the ever-flourishing popularity of musicals in South Korea. Currently playing the role of Seol-hee in the blockbuster musical "Hero," produced by Yun Ho-jin, head of A-Com International, Kim is planning to hold a solo concert to mark the 10th anniversary of her debut. "I am so lucky because I have been together with the development of the musical industry. Due to its growth, I have been able to take the big roles. If I had debuted later or earlier, I would have never been successful like this," Kim said during an interview with The Korea Times at a caf? in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. The 35-year-old actress shot to the stardom with the title role in the musical "Evita," for which she won Best Actress in the Korea Musical Awards and the Musical Awards in 2007. "`Evita' is the absolutely unforgettable work of my life. It made me grow and it was also a big challenge for me. It

Nov 8, 2009

US Museum Seeks Long-Term Friendship With Korean Museum

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Although the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution have a large collection of Asian art, the portion of Korean art is minimal. However, attention on the matter is growing thanks to the efforts of Julian Raby, director of the Asian art museum. "In the last few years, we have finished a strategic plan. In it, one of the eight areas that we want to concentrate on is Korea. Not because of our existent strength but because of what we perceive as the importance of Korea," Raby said in an interview with The Korea Times. He said that every year there is something that draws people's attention in America to Korean art. There are also many Korean-Americans living in the D.C. area who desire a way to connect with Korea. Raby recently made his first visit to Korea to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Museum of Korea to renovate the Korea gallery in his institution. "The MOU is about several things. It's initially about the Korea gallery but it's actually much more than this.

Nov 6, 2009

Arts & Theater