Falling for Ceramics
World Ceramic Biennale 2009
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
A handful of earth takes on a new life under the hands of a ceramic expert. It is spun, coated with enamel and painted, cooked inside a 1,200 degrees Celsius kiln for 20 to 30 hours before it can show off its shape and color.
These earth-turned-ceramics are on display at the 5th World Ceramic Biennale 2009 being held at Icheon, Yeoju and Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Visitors can find distinctive ceramics that go way back in history and those used even today at the three locations and admire the works that represent each area. The festival also offers a chance for guests to participate and actually make their own ceramics, helping them understand the delicate art form.
Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, was famous for Joseon porcelain, and many of the ceramics used by royalty were made there. At the Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum, visitors can experience the porcelain culture of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). For more information, visit www.goodceramic.co.kr
Yeoju is not only famous for traditional ceramic art, but also as the key venue of Korean ceramics that range from industrial to practical. Guests can view and buy useful pottery works at the festival venue near Silleuk Temple. For more information, visit www.ceramicexpo.org
At Icheon, visitors can learn more about modern ceramics by visiting the Icheon World Ceramic Center ― where award winning pottery works are on display ― and the World Modern Ceramic Exhibition. For more information, visit www.ceramic.or.kr
The World Ceramic Biennale 2009 aims to offer a new direction to Korean ceramic culture, which boasts a rich history, tradition and content, by offering workshops for ceramic experts from Korea and abroad and also exhibitions of award winning works from around the world. For more information about the event, visit www.wocef.com or call (031) 631-6501.
