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Arts & Theater

Dazzling Glass Works by Chihuly at AVENUEL

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Anyone who has been to the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas will undoubtedly remember the magnificent array of glass flowers on the lobby's ceiling. Those hand-blown glass pieces by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly have become as much of a tourist attraction as the hotel's fountains. While his works have been displayed throughout the world, interestingly Chihuly's iconic glass pieces have not quite caught on in Korea, save for two installations at the Sheraton Walker Hill and the Phoenix Park Hotel. That just might change after people see the on-going exhibition ``Dale Chihuly: Sculptures in Glass and Drawings'' at Lotte Art Gallery and throughout the Avenue L department store in downtown Seoul. Michael Hytinen, a representative from Chihuly Studios in Seattle, said the artist is excited to be showing his works in Korea again, especially with the expanding art market. Mezzanine Gallery is the official representative for Chihuly in Korea. ``Asia, Mr. Chihuly believes, will define the next generation of the world's economy. There

Sep 23, 2009

Musical Wedding Singer to Premiere in Seoul

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter A Korean rendition of “The Wedding Singer,” the Broadway musical based on the 1998 film of the same name starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, will premiere in Seoul, starring Hwang Jung-min and Park Gun-hyung. Better known as stars on the big screen, Hwang and Park will return to the stage to alternate playing the lead character, Robbie Hart, a wedding singer who dreams of becoming a successful composer. Hwang is a household name after successful performances in the films ``You Are My Sunshine'' (2005) and ``Happiness'' (2007). But the award-winning actor first began his acting career in musical ``Line 1'' (1995) and went on to star in various musicals such as ``Jesus Christ Superstar,'' ``Cats,” “42nd Street” and “Nine.” “I starred in 'Nine' because I wanted to break the bias against the musical genre, which is regarded as being lighthearted and entertaining, and to introduce its diverse spectrum to the audience. But when I was doing ‘Nine,’ I felt difficulty in communicating with the audience and began thinking about what the au

Sep 22, 2009

Philippine Folk Group to Perform Rainbow in Seoul

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter A troupe from the Philippines will showcase the rituals and practices of the country's indigenous tribes in two performances at the National Theater of Korea (NTOK), next week. The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, which is the Cultural Center of the Philippines' resident company, and the Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw have been invited by the NTOK to stage ``Bahaghari,'' which means rainbow in the Tagalog language, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. This is part of a year-long celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea. Bahaghari is a festival of Philippine culture and tells stories of the various Philippine tribes who come together to celebrate Mother Earth. It features traditional folk songs and dances in an entertaining show. ``Filipinos celebrate every facet of life ― the rising and setting of the sun; the birthing and the crossing over to the next life. The connection to the cycle of nature is told through ritual, music and dance from the rainbow of cultures found in its 7,100 islands,''

Sep 22, 2009

Discover Classrooms in Asia in Photos

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Ever wonder what goes on in the confines of classrooms in other countries? Then take a glimpse inside classrooms and schools around Asia through rare photographs taken by Korean and Southeast Asian photographers. The photo exhibition ``Dreaming Classroom ― The Treasure Within,'' organized by the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), opens Wednesday at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center Gallery, Sunhwa-dong, Seoul. The title of the exhibition refers to both classrooms inside schools and the learning environment of the outside world, where students apply the knowledge they have learned. ``The `Dreaming Classroom ― The Treasure Within' exhibition is a look into the lives and the learning process of the Asian people, who have shown the passion and drive of people who share equal responsibility to one another and to nature. It will portray not only scenes of formal education but also the infinite boundaries of education happening outside the walls of the classroom,'' organizers said. The

Sep 22, 2009

Asian Traditional Shows to Mark Chuseok

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (NCKTPA) will present a cultural event with a variety of ethnic shows from Asian countries on Sept. 27, just a week before the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) holiday. Titled “Asia, Asia, Ah!sia! With Multi-Cultural Families,” the show is part of a program for multi-cultural families the center has been organizing for the last eight years. Artists from various Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mongolia, Tibet and Korea will gather to showcase their talents and unique traditions through folk music and dance. The center’s national dance troupe will perform a fan dance called ``buchaechum,’’ while the national music troupe will play folk songs such as ``Beautiful Country’’ and ``Festival’’ to introduce Korean culture to the audience. About 10 students from Mongolia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Tibet who attend the Korean National University of Arts under the ``Art Major Asian Scholarship’’ will give a traditional performance. Also, ``Multi-Cultural Families’

Sep 21, 2009

Discover Beauty, History of Antique Furniture

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Long ago in China, engraving cloud shapes onto furniture was an exclusive privilege enjoyed by high ranking officials. But with the onset of the 1960s-70s Cultural Revolution, the elite tried to conceal their status by painting green over the symbolic cloud engravings. In the aftermath of the revolutions, such furniture got to wear another coat of paint, red, a shade preferred in China for meaning good fortune. It was by chance, during a restoration process, that a local antique dealer discovered the beauty and history of cloud motifs that were long hidden under the layers of red and green. ``When you buy antique furniture you are not simply buying a piece of wood. Antique furniture has timeless charms that modern furniture can never possess,'' said Ko Su-nam, president of Kojeon Antique in Yongin. Instead of heading to a museum for a whiff of the past, visitors can admire ``living'' relics with a utilitarian benefits at an antique furniture exhibition, ongoing through Thursday at Hallasan Hall, Seoul Club, Namsan. A red and black me

Sep 20, 2009

Lee Ufan’s Sculptures at Kukje Gallery

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Large rocks and iron plates of various sizes are carefully placed throughout the Kukje Gallery New Hall as part of renowned artist Lee Ufan's solo exhibition ``Sculpture,'' which runs through Oct. 9. They might baffle some, but Lee's works seek to emphasize ``the interrelationship between two unique elements, natural stones and iron plates, within the space,'' Kukje Gallery said. ``Lee Ufan, an artist, writer and philosopher, observes the relationship between objects that encounter the external world and the space embracing them,'' it said. The 73-year-old Lee, who was in Seoul for the opening of his show, said he only acts as a moderator between the rocks and iron plates. The rocks and iron plates may have both come from nature, but they symbolize nature and man-made structures, respectively. ``I brought them together and let them communicate,'' he said at a press conference at the gallery. This is Lee's first solo show in Seoul in six years. It features 10 installation pieces with these rocks, iron plates and poles lai

Sep 18, 2009

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & Sports Games

Clubs The Circle Cheongdam-dong Located in the upscale Cheongdam-dong neighborhood, it's notorious for turning you down unless you're dressed chic and sleek. Faithful to its name, it has a round revolving floor - looking for your "lost" table gives clubbers the perfect excuse to sit down with a sexy stranger. Located on Dosan-daero near Hak-dong intersection. Call (02) 546-5933 or visit www.thecircle.co.kr. Club Answer Cheongdam-dong With giant chandeliers and digital images of famous paintings, it's like an ultra luxurious version of a typical Hongdae club. It offers an intimate partying environment with groovy electronic music by star DJs. You can reserve tables and the ones on the second floor provide an open view of the dance floor. Located in Cheongdam-dong across the street from Prima Hotel, near the entrance of Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr. 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 are

Sep 17, 2009

Concerts, Museums & Theater

Classical Concerts KBS Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center Sept. 25 Conductor James Judd will lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven's "Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61," Debussy's "Prelude a L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune, L. 86" and "La mer ― Trois Exquisses Symphoniques L. 109." Violinist Yang Ko-woon will appear as soloist. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.co.kr or call (02) 781-2252~5. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra's 'Beethoven Symphony No.6' Sejong M Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Sept. 26 Seoul Metropolitan Youth Orchestra will hold the eighth of its concert series titled "Beethoven Stories," leaving only Symphony No. 9 for next year. Ticket prices range from 10,000 to 20,000 won. Visit www.sejongpac.or.kr or call (02) 399-1789. Located near exit 8 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. The 2009 Ahn Eak-tai Memorial Concert Concert Hall of Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex Sept. 22 A memorial

Sep 17, 2009

Legally Blonde Sparkles With Starry Cast

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The Broadway musical ``Legally Blonde'' has captured the spotlight with its star-studded cast, which includes Lee Honey, Jessica and Kim Ji-woo. The musical, based on the 2001 movie of the same name, is getting a Korean version for the first time and opens Nov. 14 at the COEX Artium in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. The show will be presented by PMC Production, renowned for creating numerous homegrown shows such as ``Nanta,'' ``Jewel in the Palace'' and ``Brothers Were Brave.'' ``It's my first musical. I am very happy to work with excellent actors and actresses. I am nervous but I will do my best,'' Jessica, a member of the popular girl group Girls Generation, told reporters at a press conference at the theater, Tuesday. Jessica will alternate the lead role of Elle Woods with Lee Honey and Kim Ji-woo. Referring to the role, she said, ``I saw the film. So the character is familiar to me. Maybe I can learn something from other veteran actors.'' When she was offered the role by the company, other members of the group welcomed her deci

Sep 16, 2009
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