Photos - The Korea Times

Renoir We Must Embellish

By Kim Ji-soo / Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporters Step inside the Seoul Museum of Art, and one feels as if being transported onto a page for Pierre-Auguste Renoir in grammar school art books. The first extensive retrospective of Renoir (1841- 1919) brings to Seoul audiences some of his most well known works arranged around the central themes that the artist embodied: “Happiness of Life,” “Images of Women” and “Bathers and Nudes.” In the first section, immerse yourself in the brilliant dalliance of light in “The Swing” (1876), the simple abandon of the couple in “A Dance in the Country” (1883), the fluidity of the “Young Girls at the Piano” (1892). Wearied city eyes tired by the daily grind will thank the master Impressionist. Audiences can then become acquainted with portraits of his family and friends. As their soft-stares and beautiful color attires entrance, so do the warm sensual nudes and bathers ? “Reclining Female Nude” (Gabrielle) (1906-1907) ? and the vivid depiction of everyday life. We are then met with the portrait created by his friend Albert Andre. In “Ren

Jun 26, 2009

Iris Garden Changpowon

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The stark urban jungle of Seoul, teeming with skyscrapers, car emissions and noise pollution, is slowly returning to the bosom of Mother Nature. Bodies of water and lush greenery are mushrooming here are there, inspiring a spirit of newfound vitality. The Seoul Iris Garden, the first of its kind in the country, opened its doors June 7 in Dobongsan, Dobong-gu. Stepping out of Dobongsan Station on subway lines 1 and 7, one meets iris blossoms reminiscent of a Vincent van Gogh painting. What used to be abandoned wetland has been transformed into a beautiful, lively garden filled with about 300,000 plants, spanning over 52,417 square meters A third of the park is devoted to iris blossoms. Russian irises and yellow bunchflowers and 130 other types of irises, including endangered species, flourish in this area. In Greek mythology, the iris was dubbed ``the goddess of the rainbow" connecting heaven and earth. They bloom around May and June and are among the four most beloved flowers around the world. In addition to irises, the garden feat

Jun 18, 2009

Bongsan Mask Dance

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter A rumble of laughter follows as a masked actor delivers his lines. Here, the distinction between performer and audience is blurred, and free dialogue takes flight as the latter encourages the former to go on with ``chuimsae'' or enthusiastic remarks. At the flick of the wrist, the actor's long sleeve gives way to graceful dance movements that move the heart and sway the hips of the beholder. ``Tal'' or mask means ``false face'' in Chinese characters, and ``talchum'' or mask dance is literally dance featuring masked dancers. The type of mask dance varies from region to region and is staged during traditional holidays and other special occasions. There are a few types of dances that are representative of the mask dance, called Haeseotalchum, that originate from the Hwanghae Province, North Korea: Bongsantalchum (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 17); Eunyongtalchum (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 61); and Gangryeoltalchum (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 34). Bongsantalchum was passed on from one generation to another

Jun 11, 2009

Volcanic Cone Geomunoreum

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter The deeper in you walk, the more tangible the feel of the earth's breath. The clear air stimulates a visitor's senses. The cozy and refreshing air continues until you walk out. Jeju Island is a volcanic outcrop created from eruptions 2 million years ago. Ash and lava shaped the island, just like a potter would a masterpiece. With Mt. Halla, at 1,950 meters, situated in the middle, Jeju is surrounded by smaller parasitic volcanoes formed when lava was unable to escape the main cone. The countless number, along with the many mountains, caves and valleys, bring out the mystical beauty of Jeju. ``Oreum'' is the name Jeju residents ascribe to parasitic volcanoes in the local dialect, and the most famous is the Geomunoreum lava tube system, which stretches from Seonheul-ri to Deokcheon-ri covering about 22.367 square kilometers. It is a UNESCO-designated site of natural heritage. Surprisingly well preserved, the lava cave that connects Geomeunoreum and the coast is one of the biggest. It is comprised of seven lava tubes: Seonheulsujikg,

Jun 4, 2009

Don’t Say Goodbye

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter ``Sorry for failing to protect you. I miss you so much,'' says a note posted on the wall surrounding Deoksu Palace. Thousands of ribbons and notes are hung and pasted on the walls near the altar set up for the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. Palpable in the writings are the pangs of guilt, grief and the absence of the one they loved. Citizens ― from office workers to students and moms with children in their arms ― aren't bothered by having to wait for hours to pay tribute to the man who ended his turbulent life in a tragic way. As dusk sets, they light up candles and hold them as a means to express their condolences. The altar is covered with pale, white chrysanthemums. More than 3 million people across the nation have paid their respects to the late President. No one could have foreseen such an outpouring. ``Don't be sorry'' were the last words from Roh. But they cannot help feeling sorry and missing the late President. His absence is too much for them. shim@koreatimes.co.kr

May 28, 2009

Goodbye Roh

By Kim Ji-soo Staff Reporter The late former President Roh Moo-hyun defied the odds many times, both in his personal and political life. Born in a poor farming town in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, he taught himself law. He made his name as a human rights lawyer and later as a candid politician who stood for democratic ideas. Roh, as a politician, knew both victory and defeat. But voters remembered him as a rare type of Korean politician ― humble, willing to do away with authority and to take chances with principles. Bold policies and words marked his presidency ― a trait his supporters embraced but critics decried as too confrontational. But he was undeniably one of the most dynamic presidents, one who was willing and able to change the rules. He was a political leader whose absence will be missed and remembered. janee@koreatimes.co.kr

May 24, 2009

The World Peace Bell Park

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Hwacheong-un, Gangwon Province ― A bell praying for world peace is to resonate in this, the world's last divided country. The World Peace Bell, made from empty cartridge cases from battlefields all over the world, will ring people's hearts on May 26, at the World Peace Bell Park here. In 2005, for the 60th anniversary of Liberation Day (Aug. 15, 1945), Hwacheon-gun built the World Peace Bell Park as a sister project to the Peace Dam. The park spans 7,450 square meters in a region where remnants of historical conflict remain. In the 1980s, the Chun Doo-hwan regime needed a countermeasure against possible deliberate flooding by North Korea via the Mt. Geumgang Dam, and even collected funds from citizens to build the Peace Dam. But as the northern threat slackened, construction was called off and then on again ― it was finally completed in 2005. The World Peace Bell takes on a deeper significance, having been cast from metal from empty cartridges used during the Korean War (1950-53) and the conflict zones of some 30 regions including Palestine,

May 21, 2009

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 al

May 14, 2009

Traditional Wedding

By Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporter Spring, with its verdant glory, is the queen of all seasons. Therefore, it's only natural that many women dream of being a May bride. Different cultures have different wedding styles, and while a large majority of Koreans choose a Western-style ceremony, some still opt for the traditional Korean wedding. A traditional Korean wedding is comprised of ``uihon,'' ``daerye'' and ''hurye.'' Korea was a Confucian society with a strict morality that often segregated men and women. Because of this, marriage was arranged through a go-between. When the go-between succeeded in matching up a couple, the groom's family would send a letter or proposal and reading of the groom's fortunes to the bride's family. The bride's family would then reply with a date for the wedding. Prior to the wedding day, the groom's family would send ``ham,'' wedding gifts and documents and a ceremony called daerye would follow. First, the groom would go to the bride's house to receive the bride. The groom would then present a wild geese figure to his mother-i

May 7, 2009

Domestic Buoys

Guide Ships on Waters Off Sinan By Park Si-soo, Shim Hyun-chul Staff Reporters SINAN, NORTH JEOLLA PROVINCE ― Domestically produced weather buoys made their debut here last week, making South Korea one of a few countries with the technology to produce the sophisticated guiding beacons in the ocean. Experts say the ``Made-in-Korea'' buoy is very competitive in terms of price, meaning South Korea has the potential to become a major buoy exporter in the near future. The Korea Meteorological Administration installed two buoys in waters off Sinan, South Jeolla Province, on April 22. They will analyze wave height, water temperature, and other maritime conditions. The results will be transmitted to the weather agency every hour, helping the agency forecast weather and maritime conditions more accurately. ``We expect people in the coastal town to benefit from the gadgets as well since they'll serve as a beacon for those using water transportation and fishing,'' the administration said in a statement. The drifting-style buoy was developed earlier this year after an 1

Apr 30, 2009

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