Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Artistic Discoveries at Samcheong-dong

Passersby observe “Manjineun Samcheong-dong jido” which was created by the students of Seoul National School for the Blind.By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Wedged between Gyeongbokgung and Changdukgung Palaces, Samcheong-dong harbors traditions of the past and modernity of the present. This unique venue is a haven for those seeking a momentary, eccentric escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Old-fashioned restaurants and houses line both sides of the road while modern cafes and boutiques are peppered on the streets to attract hip and stylish strollers. Already featuring a vast variety of museums and galleries, Samcheong-dong has made yet another addition to its list of artsy attractions: the Seoul City Gallery Project ``Inside Outside.'' ``Inside Outside'' is an artistic approach to introduce Samcheong-dong as a neighborhood that is rightfully co-owned by its residents and visitors. The vibrant venue, constantly flooded with tourists, is also an area of residence. Interestingly enough, the residential area and the sightseeing area are located side by sid

Mar 16, 2009

Korean Modern Art Goes to London

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The best of contemporary Korean art will finally be in the spotlight in London in June. Korean Eye, Standard Chartered and Phillips de Pury & Company are organizing the ``Moon Generation'' exhibition and auction featuring 30 rising Korean artists such as Kwon Ki-soo, Debbi Han, Hong Kyoung-tack and Yi Hwan-kwon. ``Moon Generation'' is touted by the organizers as ``a world first in bringing together a group of leading Korean contemporary artists and galleries to create the first-ever international exhibition and sale of Korean contemporary art.'' Korean Eye founder and Parallel Media Group chairman David Ciclitira started the initiative to promote the best of Korean contemporary art, which remains relatively unknown compared to its Japanese and Chinese counterparts. ``I came back to Korea two years ago, and I was amazed by the rich contemporary art in Korea. It was fascinating and exciting, but not many know about it. London is the center of the art scene, and the idea was to bring Korean art there. I want to make sure Korean art

Mar 13, 2009

Art Exhibitions, Kids and Sports

Art Exhibitions The Still: Logical Conversation Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space Through March 29 Twenty-two Korean artists have gathered to offer an exhibition presenting a modern re-interpretation of still life, including sculptures, photographs, and video installations by Han S:I, Bae Joon-sung, Bahk Seon-ghi and Kim Si-yeon, among others. For more information, call (02) 519-0800 or visit www.galleryhyundai.com. VS Gana Art Gangnam Through April 5 Artists with visually similar styles are paired together for this exhibition. Works by noted artists Damien Hirst and Ron Arad, as well as Korean artists Ko Young-hoon and Kim Kang-yong, are on display at Gana Art Gangnam. Call (02) 512-1650. For more information, call (02) 512-1650. A Daydream Art Space Hue Through March 27 Lee Jeong-woong deals with themes of love, memory, rapture and solitude in his oil and digital paintings. Art Space Hue is located in Seogyo, Mapo. Call (02) 333-0955 or email artspacehue@hotmail.com. A House of 2.6 Square Meters Gallery Space A Through April 26 Sculptor Ahn Kyu-chul

Mar 12, 2009

Classiical Concerts, Big Tickets, Dance, Pop and Jazz

Classical Concerts KBS Symphony Orchestra Concert Seoul Arts Center March 13 Conductor Claus Peter Flor will lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74. Pianist Alexander Kobrin will appear as a soloist. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 781-2243. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's Great Concerto Series I Seoul Arts Center March 15 In the first of its Great Concerto Series, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will be joined by conductor Rossen Milanov and Sol Gabetta, a young, talented cellist who recently released a solo album for Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85. Tickets cost from 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr or call (02) 3700-6300. Located near exits 4 and 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal on subway line 3. Salta Cello Concert Mapo Arts Center March 27-29 German jazz ensemble Salta Cello will hold

Mar 12, 2009

Prada Transformer to Open April 25

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Prada Transformer, a one-of-a-kind tetrahedron-shaped structure being constructed on the grounds of Gyeonghui Palace, will open next month with a fashion exhibition featuring skirts by top Italian designer Miuccia Prada. Other upcoming events at the Prada Transformer include a film festival curated by renowned Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu in June and a contemporary art exhibition by Prada Foundation in August. In a press briefing Tuesday, Tomaso Galli, Prada group communications and external relations director, said the Prada Transformer will open to the public April 25 with ``Waist Down _ Skirts by Miuccia Prada.'' The fashion exhibition is an on-going project with AMO, the think tank of top architect Rem Koolhaas' Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). ``We will show a selection of skirts in motion that have been designed by Ms. Prada from the first ever show to the present day. The difference from past shows is the location, which is unique and different, and the combination of skirts by emerging Korea

Mar 11, 2009

Gioni to Head 8th Gwangju Biennale

By Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter The 8th Gwangju Biennale has appointed its art director Massimiliano Gioni, director of New York's New Museum's special exhibitions. Gioni, 37, worked as the co-director of the 2006 Berlin Biennale and director for Manifesta, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art, in 2004. In 2003, he was the curator of the 2003 Venice Biennale's special exhibitions. He is also currently the director of Italian fashion company Nicola Trussardi. As the former New York managing editor of ``Flash Art International,'' a prominent art magazine, Gioni also published a modern art magazine called ``Charley,'' which introduced art as cultural participation rather than visual art. He also opened Wrong Gallery with fellow artists Maurizio Cattelan and Ali Subotnick. The Gwangju Biennale is Asia's first contemporary art biennale. More than 500 artists and performers from 60 countries, curators and critics will join the art festival, which will take place next year. sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

Mar 11, 2009

National Museum of Korea Seeks Museum Complex

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Choe Kwang-shik, director of the National Museum of Korea, said that the museum is seeking to create a complex in Yongsan. ``People are reluctant to visit here only to see the museum. They need more cultural and convenient facilities where they can spend time with family and friends. I think Yongsan is the best place for the museum complex,'' Choe told reporters on the first anniversary of his inauguration. He said that it is a good idea to establish a museum complex, to be equipped with various cultural facilities such as theaters, galleries and restaurants, like COEX mall, on the site of the U.S. army base near the museum. ``It's still on the drawing board without any detailed plan. We need more cooperation with related government agencies and public support. We'll further discuss the issue in the international academic forum with experts in May,'' he said. Choe is considering constructing a children's museum as part of efforts to form the museum complex. He said that on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Korean museum,

Mar 10, 2009

Opera Figaro Is Delightful, Relevant

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The Opera Theater of Seoul Arts Center celebrated its grand reopening Friday with Mozart's ``Le Nozze di Figaro (Marriage of Figaro),'' which continues through Saturday. Hot young singers sizzled in the heartfelt, very relevant rendition by David McVicar, which will appeal to both opera newcomers and educated fans. Some say that ``Figaro'' is overly performed in Korea, where the repertoire is indeed limited for a genre that is considered an acquired taste, even among classical music fans. The majority of the audience of any given show here are new to opera. Mozart's wholesome happy ending nevertheless satisfies Koreans' need for reconciliation, a sentiment that is reflected in local traditional folk tales, even the most sinister. The Royal Opera House Covent Garden production, performed for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart in 2006, was revived by Justin Way in the fully packed, renovated theater (now modernized while retaining its classic, red and gold decor). Opera goers won't be disappointed sitting in the comfortable new seats wh

Mar 8, 2009

Pop Art Its Not, Michael Craig-Martin Says

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Pop Art might be the first thing that comes to mind when people encounter the bright, candy colors and floating chairs, buckets and sandals in the paintings of Michael Craig-Martin. The renowned Irish conceptual artist is quick to say that it's not Pop Art. Instead of taking images from popular and consumerist culture like what Andy Warhol did with Marilyn Monroe and Campbell soup cans, Craig-Martin makes paintings of objects that people use in daily life. ``I've never thought of myself as a pop artist, but it's true that many people do… Pop Art is based in the use of images that exist as popular images in ads and photographs. It's images of images. My interest comes from objects and I make the images myself, I don't find the images,'' he said, in a press conference at PKM Trinity Gallery, Cheongdam-dong, last week. Not that he has anything against Pop Art. In fact, Craig-Martin likes the idea of bringing art to a wider audience. This led him to focus on objects that are familiar to everyone. ``I thought who was more familia

Mar 6, 2009

Clubs, Traditional Events & Art Exhibitions

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 This might be the answer to your nightlife. It offers an intimate partying environment with groovy electronic music by star DJs. You can reserve tables and those on the second floor provide an open view of the dance floor. Or mingling with the hot bartenders at the open bar might be a fine alternative. Located in Cheongdam-dong across the street from Prima Hotel, near the entrance toi Yeongdong-daegyo. Call (02) 548-7115 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr. Club Evans Hongdae or Hongik University Area This club, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch and

Mar 5, 2009

Arts & Theater