Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Artists Take Dongducheon Project to New York

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Four Korean artists are participating in an Insa Art Space (IAS) project to be introduced at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, Saturday. Koh Seung-wook, Sangdon Kim, Rho Jae-oon and siren eun young jung are contributing their work for ``Dongducheon: A Walk to Remember, A Walk to Envision.'' The IAS was one of the four partner institutions asked to participate in the New Museum's ``Musuem as a Hub'' project, along with Mexcio's Museo Tamayo, Egypt's Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art and the Netherlands' Van Abbemuseum. Museum as a Hub is described as a ``21st century cultural laboratory exploring art and ideas through a global partnership,'' using the main theme of ``neighborhood.'' The exhibition, which opens Dec. 1 and runs through Feb. 24, offers a sneak peek into each of the institution's main exhibitions that will be held starting March. Kim Hee-jin, the curator for international projects at IAS, said each of the partner institutions will be taking over the ``hub space'' for two months. IAS will have its main

Nov 30, 2007

Concerts, Museums & Performances

Classical Concerts Color of Ravel Hoam Art Hall Dec. 1 Pianists Park Chong and Chiharu Aizawa with violinists Park Chi-sang and Park Mi-seon will play chamber music by Maurice Joseph Ravel, including ``Bolero,'' ``Tzigane'' and ``Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte.'' Tickets cost from 22,000 won to 55,000 won. Visit www.stompmusic.com or call 1588-7890. Located near exit 9 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2. Living Classics: Love, You Hoam Art Hall Dec. 7 Clarinettist Kye Hee-jeong, violinst Yang Ko-woon, cellist You Dae-yeon, violist Kim Sang-jin and pianist Park Chong will warm up the winter night with timeless classics. Actor Kim Tae-woo will be the guest speaker. Tickets are 30,000 won. Visit www.clubbalcony.com or call 1588-7890. Located near exit 9 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 and 2. Shin Young-ok Concert of Love Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 7 Soprano Shin Young-ok will give a concert with World Vision Korean Children's Choir and the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra. Crossover tenor Im Tae-kyung will also perform

Nov 29, 2007

Clubs, Art Exhibitions & For Kids

Clubs Club Garden Apgujeong-dong The Garden is an electronica hotspot, with the big draw being its line-up of guest DJs such as Laurent Garnier, Mondo Grosso, Afrika Bambatta and Goldie. Near Galleria Department Store on the so-called Rodeo Street in southern Seoul. Call (02) 518-5115 or clubgarden.co.kr. Club Evans Hongdae or Hongik University Area This place, located near Hongik University, is great for intimate live performances. The line-up of performers is generally top-notch and the acoustics are good. Located near exit 1 on Sangsu Station on subway line 6 or exit 6 on Hongdae Station on subway line 2. Call (02) 337-8361 or www.clubevans.com. Club Caliente Itaewon The patrons are so diverse, DJ Josh sometimes has a hard job appealing to everyone. But he keeps the dance floor going, playing a variety of standbys and new Latin music. The song selection is what keeps people coming back. Located near exit 4 of Itaewon Station subway line 6. Call (011) 9094 8484. Club M2 Hongdae M2 features top DJs from home and abroad. The dance floor an

Nov 29, 2007

Evolution of Plastics as Art

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Plastic has long been associated with negative images such as ``cheap,'' ``artificial,'' or ``non-real.'' Thus, how plastic has evolved from scientific invention to fashion items, remains much veiled even if you are a fashionista or a trendsetter. To give you some idea, the World Jewelry Museum is showcasing more than 50 pieces of plastic ornaments and plastic-decorated fashion items, which runs through Dec. 30. The pieces from 1870 and the mid-20th century are on display under the title of ``Art Deco and Plastic Jewelry'' to help you catch a glimpse of the history of fashion revolving around plastic items. The exhibit artifacts range from a pendant made from jet, the predecessor of plastic, in France in the 1900s; a vanity case made of bakelite, also from France in the 1920s; to handbags decorated with bakelite, from Belgium in the 1930s. The exhibit also features artworks of Lea Stein, who is recognized as the most notable and innovative designer of plastic jewelry of the 20th century. The Paris-based designer is renowned for her

Nov 28, 2007

World Top Magicians to Gather in Seoul

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Who can resist a magician's magic, even though you know he or she is merely tricking your eyes? Around this time of year, various shows, especially magic performances, are ready to boost the mood of Christmas and year-end celebrations. Eleven top award-winning magicians and illusionists from around the world will gather in Seoul to take part in the World Magic Show 2007 slated for Dec. 27-31. The participants will perform their own specialized magic tricks and a variety of entertaining performances. World top-notch magicians and illusionists such as Mirko Callaci from Argentina, Minemura Kenji from Japan, Richard Forget from Canada, Ardan James and Max Maven from the United States, Timo Marc from Germany and Liu from China, will come to Korea. Mirko has been around the world to perform for audiences. These experiences have helped him develop a very flexible repertoire for a variety of professional situations, from presenting live on the principle TV Station in France to family reunions or commercial parties launching a product.

Nov 27, 2007

National Palace Museum Reopens

By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter The National Palace Museum of Korea will open its 12 exhibition halls Wednesday, ending its expansion project. The museum will exhibit about 900 pieces of royal historical artifacts of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) up from the present 500, including seven national treasures, throughout the three-story building. Previously, the museum had five exhibit halls, categorized by themes throughout the two floors ― royal symbols and records, ancestral rites, palace architecture, Joseon sciences and royal life. Now the museum has more themed exhibit halls; the birth of the royal family, education, literature, royal paintings and music ― to show the lifestyles and cultures of royal families. For the reopening exhibit, special urns ― which were used to hold the placentas of six kings; Taejo, Sejong, Injong, Seongjong, Jeongjo and Sunjo and their princes and princesses ― will be on display for the first time. The museum will also display ``Sun, Moon and Five Peaks,'' a folding screen standing behind kings of Joseon Kingdom. Also as part

Nov 27, 2007

Zephora Circus Comes to Walkerhill

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The traditional circus is getting a new twist, as the European circus act Zephora comes to town. Filled with clowns and acrobats, Zephora promises a memorable show that the entire family can enjoy. Sheraton Grande Walkerhill is bringing this original European circus to Seoul for the first time. The Zephora show includes clowns, a flying duo, aerial trapeze act, jugglers and an ``enchanting water girl.'' Adding to the excitement are the acrobat's unpredictable leaps on the Wheel of Death, acrobats lunging from the ceiling, formation of human pagodas and other performances. Zephora has been described as ``a bundle of emotions that offers adults an opportunity to escape from the ordinary and enter a world of romance and reminiscence while giving children hope, imagination, and dreams.'' The cast has a diverse background, with performers from Germany, France and Italy. A live band performs in the background, along with a team of dancers, Red Fox. If you think you'll be munching on popcorn while watching flying acrobats and clowns,

Nov 26, 2007

Portraying Human Side of Jesus

More Contemporary Musical `Jesus Christ Superstar' to Go on Stage By Chung Ah-young Staff Reporter Even for a true believer who grew up in a Christian community in New York, it was a big challenge for Cito to take on the role of Jesus in ``Jesus Christ Superstar.'' ``Initially, when I got the role, I was scared of that fact that I had to portray such a revered man ― such a respected and worshiped being because I just am not worthy,'' Cito said in an interview with The Korea Times. Cito visited Korea Nov. 19-22 to promote the troupe's upcoming shows in Seoul and Busan next month, a part of their world tour. The 33-year-old actor said that he is a Christian. ``But it's just on a personal level between God and me. I don't attend Church. Both my parents are still doing that, especially my mother. As far as Christianity is concerned, I believe in the teachings of Christ,'' he said. ``Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Written in 1970, it highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus. The plot

Nov 26, 2007

Van Gogh Retrospective Rated Best in Asia

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The rare opportunity to see Vincent Van Gogh's masterpieces in Seoul is not one to be missed, especially since the directors of the Van Gogh Museum and Kroller-Muller Museum from the Netherlands are calling ``Van Gogh: Voyage into the Myth'' one of the best Van Gogh exhibitions ever in Asia. The first Van Gogh retrospective in Seoul officially opened Saturday, with hundreds flocking to the Seoul Museum of Art over the weekend for a glimpse of the Dutch artist's works. ``This is the highest quality exhibition of Van Gogh's works in the last few years. This is probably the best exhibition in 50 years that came to Asia," Dr. Evert J. Van Straaten, director of the Kroller-Muller Museum, told The Korea Times in an interview. Among the 67 works on display are iconic masterpieces such as ``Irises," ``Country road in Provence by night," ``The Yellow House," ``The Sower," and ``Self-portrait." The 45 oil paintings and 22 drawings are on loan from the Kroller-Muller Museum in Otterlo and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. ``I envy the peo

Nov 25, 2007

Van Gogh Retrospective Opens

67 Works of Dutch Artist on Display By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff reporter The first retrospective of Vincent Van Gogh's works in Korea opens Saturday at the Seoul Museum of Art, downtown Seoul. Sixty-seven of the Dutch post-Impressionist's works, including 45 oil paintings and 22 drawings and lithographs, were carefully chosen from the Van Gogh Museum and Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands to be displayed in Seoul until March. 16. The two museums own more than half of the remaining Van Gogh works around the world. Among the masterpieces on display are ``Self-portrait'' (1887), ``Irises'' (1890), ``Church in Auvers'' (1890), a lithograph of ``The Potato Eaters'' (1885), ``The Yellow House'' (1888) and ``Portrait of Joseph Roulin'' (1889). Seo Soun-jou, Van Gogh exhibit commissioner and Hankook Ilbo cultural project center director of exhibitions, said this is the biggest exhibition of Van Gogh's works since the exhibition marking 100 years since his death at the Van Gogh Museum in 1990. The exhibition ``Van Gogh: Voyage into the Myth'' is organized i

Nov 23, 2007

Arts & Theater