Ambassadors' spouses learn 'bojagi' wrapping, appreciate young Korean artists

Members of the Ambassador's Spouses Association in Seoul learn how to wrap gifts with "bojagi" at Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, Seoul, April 20, as part of opening reception of the "Art Celebration" exhibition. Courtesy of The Trinity Gallery

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Spouses of ambassadors in Korea learned how to use "bojagi," or traditional Korean wrapping cloth, and enjoyed works of Korean artists during the opening reception of "Art Celebration," a collaborative project by The Trinity Gallery and the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, April 20.

Konul Teymurova, the wife of the ambassador of Azerbaijan to Korea and president of the Ambassador's Spouses Association in Seoul (ASAS), said the bojagi class was more popular than other events of the ASAS, reflecting their interest in learning Korean traditions.

Teymurova said she was interested in bojagi gift wrapping since she came to Korea.

"It can be simple food inside that we buy from the market in plastic or a box, but when it comes wrapped in bojagi, it is really warm, like hugging. We have a similar patch cloth in Azerbaijan, but it is not used for gift wrapping like bojagi," she said.

Leila Rachadi, the spouse of the ambassador of Morocco to Korea, was also fascinated by traditional Korean wrapping.

"Every time I see Korean gifts wrapped with cloth, I wondered how we could make it. I tried (on my own) but never succeeded. Today this experience showed us how to wrap it and it was not very difficult," Rachadi said.

Chae Sun-young, who taught the ASAS members, said bojagi wrapping can be an eco-friendly way of recycling and upcycling, providing a chance to fight climate change in daily life.

"You can use bojagi to wrap used delivery boxes and plastic containers to turn them into a new gift basket. Traditional Korean knots and patterns have goodwill meanings such as longevity, luck and success, which adds a new layer to things we already know," Chae said.

Members of the Ambassador's Spouses Association in Seoul pose for a photo at a suite in the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon where "Art Celebration" exhibition is held with Ambassador of Lebanon to Korea Antoine Azzam and artist Yoo Eui-jeong, April 20. Courtesy of The Trinity Gallery

After learning how to wrap gifts with bojagi, the spouses continued to the hotel's suite to watch Kim Hong-shik's "Flaneur" and "Dialogue" series and ceramic artist Yoo Eui-jeong's kitschy works combining colorful and contemporary elements with traditional pottery.

Ambassador of Lebanon to Korea Antoine Azzam, who organized the event with the gallery, believes that diplomatic missions have to take something that reminds one of the country when leaving the country of sojourn.

"As an ambassador, I am not exclusive to my country, but also represent the host country. The idea of bojagi (wrapping) came to my mind and I met a bojagi artist to learn it so that I will have something with me when I leave Korea," he told The Korea Times during the reception, April 20.

When The Trinity Gallery invited him to the opening reception of the exhibition held in cooperation with Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, the ambassador suggested hosting a bojagi workshop to celebrate traditional and modern Korean art and bring some animation to the neighborhood.

"I am still discovering Korea and glad that I'm having Korea under my skin. I wish I could learn more about Korea," he added.

Azzam said both Kim and Yoo's works implement modernity to traditional techniques of photography and ceramics.

"I also wanted to express my objection to wars and ugliness as art is a message of resilience that heals us," he said. "I am known as an ambassador of the arts and I am happy with this title."

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