Blake Ritter - solo photo Exhibition - March 6 - 10

What: Photo exhibition "Ssuregisan / Trash mountain" by Blake Ritter
When: March 6-10, with an opening party on Saturday, March 7th from 7pm - midnight.
Where: Sogool Gallery, Changjeondong 393-4, Mapogu, Seoul (just south-east of the Hongdae area)
Web address: Gallery Sogool - http://www.sogool.in/
Artist website: www.blakeybear.com

About exhibition: This is local artist, Blake Ritter's, first solo exhibition. Trash Mountain is focusing on the disappearance of magic from the world (the growing sameness of culture, architecture, etc.) and the places where this can be seen.

Getting to Sogool gallery: It's about 400m from Gwangheungchang Subway station) Brown line, Exit 1 (take a sharp left at the exit and walk straight until you see gallery Sogool on your right), or 600m from Exit 2 Sangsu station - walk in the direction of Gwangheungchang subway and the gallery is a very small white-painted building after the pedestrian overpass. See map below and refer to Sogool gallery website,"About" page for photos to guide your walk from Sangsu station.

Contemporary dance classes in Hongdae, Saturdays, Mar 7 - 28

If you're interested in contemporary dance/movement and want to meet some like-minded souls, these classes could be the go.

Host: Satya Movement Arts: Yoga~Pilates~Dance in Seoul
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: Hongdae Dance Academy
Street: It's across from Jane's Groove in Hongdae
City: Seoul, South Korea

Email:
fumi@satyamovementarts.com

Description
This 4 week series will be an introduction to Modern/Contemporary dance for beginners. The classes will explore Floor, Release, and Horton techniques, ballet, Yoga, Composition and Contact Improvisation. Previous experience with dance is recommended but not required.
Classes will meet on Saturday, March 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm and are taught in English. The workshop fee is 60,000 won for the entire month or 20,000 won to drop in.

The studio is near Hongik University at Sangsu Station (brown line, no. 6) exit number 1. When you come out of the exit, make an immediate u turn to the right. Walk about 100 meters and there is a 7eleven on your left. The studio is above the 7eleven, on the 3rd floor.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to register on the first day. If you have any questions at all, feel free to contact fumi@satyamovementarts.com

Note: This info is copied from Facebook.

Exhibition opening- Japanese neo-pop painting - Kawashima Hideaki - Feb 26 - Mar 29

What: 'Wandering' - solo painting exhibition by Japanese artist Kawashima Hideaki
When: Opening reception Thur Feb 26, 5 - 7 pm, show running until March 29
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm, Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Where: Kukje Gallery, Space 1, Jongno
Entry: free

Kukje Gallery is pleased to present Hideaki Kawashima: Wandering, an exhibition of new paintings and the artist’s first solo show at the gallery. In preparation for his exhibition Kawashima took up residence in Seoul for four months. The fourteen works he painted during his stay will be presented alongside twenty one works that were completed in his native Japan.

Kawashima was born in Japan in 1969 and initially trained at a Buddhist temple near Kyoto to become a monk. However after 2 years he returned home to explore his own psychology through intuitive painting. His process is to apply paint directly on to the canvas from the start without planning, allowing the images to unfold. Thus the title of this exhibition, ‘Wandering’ can be seen as a reflection of Kawashima’s philosophy about his art as influenced by his Buddhist training.

Although he is often grouped together with Neo-Pop artists such as Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara, Kawashima’s work is distinct from other practitioners of that style in that he does not appropriate iconography from popular culture. Instead the artist has created his own personal vocabulary that includes a singular ghost-like visage with exaggerated eyes and no body. In contrast to the expressiveness of the eyes, the pale face of his subject evokes the makeup worn by actors in Kabuki theatre in order to mask their identity. The influence of Kawashima’s mentor, Nara, is readily apparent in these works – the air of mystery surrounding his signature characters powerfully engages the viewer.

Address: Kukje Gallery Space 1, Sogyeok-dong 59-1, Jongno-gu Seoul, 110-200 Korea
Website: http://www.kukje.org
■ Tel : + 82) 2 735 8449
■ Fax : + 82) 2 733 4879
■ Public Transportation
 Subway : No.3 line (Orange) Anguk Station, or Kyungbok Palace Station 10-15 min, walk from subway station (see map)

'Portraits of 108' - photographs of 'comfort women' survivors- Sangsang madang gallery til March 6

Photographer Cha Jin hyun was one of the recipients of Sangsangmadang Art Center's 2008 photography fellowship. For his exhibition project he chose to look at a little known aspect of Korean history - the plight of Korean women who were abducted by the Japanese military during WWII and imprisoned in camps to be used as sex slaves for the soldiers, and referred to euphemistically as "comfort women". To this day the Japanese government still refuses to acknowledge the existence of the war-time sex camps or the kidnapping and sexual slavery of Korean women.

At the time Cha commenced his photographic project in 2008 there were 108 known former 'comfort women' living in Korea, all aged their 80s and 90s. Nowadays these women are respectfully termed 'halmoni' (Korean term for grandmother), and Cha travelled around Korea to meet and photograph all of these survivors, hence the title ' Portraits of 108'. He chose the format of black and white formal portraiture against a black backdrop to best capture the essential story of these women. Cha said he felt the urgent need to document the existence of these women and to reveal their tragic story more widely to the Korean public. He remarked that even in the time it took him to finish the project quite a few of the old women passed away, and only about 90% of the 108 women he photographed remain alive now.

A selection of these moving portraits of the 'halmoni' is on display at the SangsangMadang gallery, 3F until March 6. Entry is free. Open daily from 12 noon to 11pm. A book of the complete series of 108 portraits by Cha Jin Hyun is also on sale at the gallery.

More information about the history of the "comfort women" in Korea is available from the website: http://www.nanum.org
You can also visit the 'House of Sharing' east of Seoul where some of the halmoni live together in a supportive environment, alongside an information center and museum that includes paintings made by the halmoni and videos of their testimonies. There is a special guided tour for English-speaking visitors once a month led by volunteer interpreters.
Please see the 'House of Sharing' website for more information: www.houseofsharing.org

Exhibition Venue: Gallery Sangsang madang, 3F, Sangsang madang Cultural Center, Hongdae.
Address: Seogyo-dong 363-19, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Tel: 02-330-6229

For more information see the website (Korean only):
http://www.sangsangmadang.com/gallery/
Transport:
By bus: Please call the Tourist Information Center on 1330 for bus information.
The closest subway station is Hapjeong station, Line 2, Line 6, exit 3. Either take a taxi for the minimum fare or walk down the main road towards Sinchon for 150 meters and turn right at the crossroads at the Bobo Hotel. Cross the road and keep walking about 200 meters until you see the unusual Sangsang madang Cultural center building on your left.

Seoul Art Collective- 1st group exhibition - TV 12 gallery Hongdae, Mar 1- 15

Name: Seoul - the City Structures
Date: March 1st - 15th 2009
Location: Television 12, Hongdae
Opening Reception: March 1st 2-7PM


Exhibition Blurb:
The Seoul Art Collective's first show of 2009 is titled 'Seoul - The City Structures' and is an exhibition of 5 contemporary foreign artists who reflect upon their experiences of living in Seoul. The group show will be held at Television 12 gallery and cafe in Hongdae from March 1st-15th. The artists have been influenced by the physical structural surfaces of Seoul as well as the latent social structures present in the city. Exhibited is a range of media including still motion video art by Ryan McLay, who examines the movement of bodily structures as they navigate through an urban environment, and an instillation piece from Mike Stewart which juxtaposes the heavy reliance upon technology as a means of communication with traditional methods of contact. Paintings from Mike Hern, Jeffrey Morabito and Travis Lee Street are also featured in the show. For Hern the city is an amazing collage covered in glass, plastic, concrete, steel and wires whose occupants fast paced lives are projected onto the buildings they pass and whose rhythmic energy spills off the edges of the canvas. People come across not as solid, singular forms, but multifaceted existences that express many realities in paintings by artist Jeffrey Morabito who captures everyday occurences like subway journeys and Hongdae at night in an emotive and abstract way, where one can empathise with the mood of the confused citizens in such a large and crowded city. Travis Lee Street's abstract paintings represent a structural ambiguity for individual and collective identities.

Exhibitions at Sangsang madang art center, Hongdae til March 6

1. SKOPF - Sangsangmadang Korean Photographer's Fellowship exhibition
Opening: Thursday Feb 19, 7pm, 3F Sangsangmadang gallery, Hongdae.
Dates: 2009.02.19~2009.03.01
Open times: 13:00~22:00
Entry: free
Information: 02 330 6229
You can see some photos online at the website (Korean only) www.sangsangmadang.com/photo/

2. 'OnePiece' magazine Index exhibition
Venue: SangsangMadang art square, 1F
Dates: 2009.02.16~2009.03.06
Open times: 12:00~23:00
Entry: free
Information: 02-330-6221
Website: http://www.sangsangmadang.com/gallery/

Nami Island Independence Festival 2009 - free entry for foreigners - Feb 28 to Mar 8

This information is from the : Korea4Expats website

Come and participate in the 3rd Independence Day Celebration of Namira Republic/Nami Island, INDIFEST-Be Nami Be Free from Saturday 28 February to Sunday 8 March.

INDIFEST-Be Nami Be Free is targetting the foreign community in particular and is offering the stage to foreign performers and artists residing in Korea. Various unique cultural and artistic events will be on offer.

Note: Korea4Expats is organising a group to go to the Festival on Sunday 8 March (the last day). We are planning on taking the shuttle bus from Insa-dong (see info below). If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP by Saturday 28 February to events@korea4expats.com. If we have enough people, we'll try to arrange for our own bus.

Program:
28 February: Opening Ceremony (Jazz concerts, performance party and fireworks. Fusion music - Beat Storm)
1 March: Independence Day Ceremony / Performances by KaTA and Beat Storm
1 -8 March:
- Exhibition of Naminara Republic: The 3rd Creative & Cultural Industries in Beijing 2008
- Exhibition by Foreign Artists from Australia, England, France, Spain and the U.S., including Anna Philllips, Brenda Chat and more)
- Independent Film & Music Festival
- Free Market of Artists
- Creative Workshops for Children/Students
7 March: 'Sings for Freedom' - Performances by foreign bands, free market, food courts, and more)
8 March: 'Draws the Imagination' - Creative workshops for children/students

See the Korea4Expats website for full information about transport, location etc.

'To and From' video installation, Dobaebacsa art space, Itaewon til Feb 28

"To and From," a collaborative video project by Naotaka Hiro and Sid M. Duenas hosted at DaiSheng FanDian in Yongsan thru Feb 28, looks at the involvement of Hiro's native Japan and the United States in Saipan during the Pacific battles of World War II. The four-part video series of site-specific footage begins and ends at historically relevant locations on Saipan. Each combines the camera-work of Hiro, and Duenas' writing and speech. The footage consists of unedited, single takes, varying in length from 9 to 14 minutes. For more information, see the gallery's homepage.
Website: http://www.dobaebacsa.org, http://cafe.naver.com/drdobae.cafe

Address: Dobaebacsa art space (1st floor Itaewon Mosque - see map below)
732-21 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Email: dobaebacsa@gmail.com

"Multiple dialogues" exhibition by Ikjoong Kang and Nam Jun Paik, National MoCA, til Feb. 2010

In commemoration of the National Museum of Contemporary Art’s 40th anniversary, a retrospective on Ikjoong Kang’s artworks will be held. At this retrospective, Ikjoong Kang’s “3x3 inches” works made over the last quarter century from the 1980s until recent years are shown in a comprehensive way. Kang has constructed an installation of hundreds of his small works, to surround Nam Jun Paik's giant TV tower installation which is the permanent centerpiece of the art museum.
Kang's installation 'Multiple dialogues', can be seen as Kang’s homage to his mentor, Namjun Paik. It is also a sequel to the 1994 two-person exhibition with Paik entitled “Multiple/Dialogue” at the Whitney Museum in New York City.
You can see a video of the exhibition opening and an interview with the artist here: www.artontv.kr

The installations are situated in the centerpiece of the Museum, known as the Ramp Core. This architectural space spirals up 22.8 meters in height and opens to the 13.8-meter diameter of a vast skylighted space. The 'Ramp core' forms the gateway to the Museum's exhibition spaces.

In 1988, Paik Nam June's work "The More, the Better" was erected in the center of the Ramp Core to welcome the public entering the Museum. The work is composed of 1003 video monitors, which make a tower 18.5 meters high and 7.5 meters in diameter. It commemorates the National Foundation Day of October 3. The combined effects of skylights and video monitors creates a mystic glow throughout the space. By taking the Ramp Core, spectators get a great view of this spectacular Paik installation, as well as
Ikjoong Kang's multiple small works which cover over 200 meters of space.

Exhibition Dates: 2009-02-06 ~ 2010-02-07
Time: November - February - 10am to 5pm (Sat., Sun., closes at 8pm)
Entry fee: permanent exhibition - free, special exhibition - 3000 won adults
Where: National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Address: 427-701, San 58-4
(Gwangmyeong-gil 209), Makgye-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do,
Republic of Korea
Tel : 82-2-2188-6000, FAX : 82-2-2188-6123,
E-Mail : rxmda@moca.go.kr
Website: (including English pages): www.moca.go.kr
Transport information: The museum is easily reached from central Seoul by subway. Take the light blue line #4, south to stop 437, Seoul Grand Park. Take Exit 4 and either walk through the park to the museum (about 15 minutes) or catch a shuttle bus every 20 mins (starting from 9.40 a.m.).See map below.
For bus information telephone the free Tourist Information Service on 1330.

Photography Exhibition-Yann Arthus Bertrand - 'Korea from Above' from Feb 19 - March 10

The environmental photo exhibition of Korea: "Korea from Above - Whispers with Wetlands" will be held from Feb 19 to March 10 at Gallery Nuri, Korea Foundation Cultural Center. The world famous aerial photographer, Yann Arthus-Bertrand's aerial shots of the Korean Peninsula, taken from Dokdo to Marado, and from DMZ to Sungnyemun, will be jointly held with "Four Seasons of Korean Swampy Lands," photographs by Serene Cho, an officially invited photographer of the 2008 Ramsar Convention. For more information, contact the Korean Committee on "Korea from Above" at (02) 322-8696 or KFCC at (02) 3789-5600.

You can also see many of Bertrand's photos online at the artist's website at http://www.yannarthusbertrand2.org
+ Admission: free
+ Opening times: daily 10 am - 6pm (closed Sundays)
+ Address: 1st floor, Joongang Ilbo Building, Sunhwa-dong, Junggu, Seoul.
+ Information: (02) 3789-5600
+ Email: kfcenter@kf.or.kr
+ Web Site: http://www.kfcenter.or.kr
+ How to Get There:
By subway: Line 1 & 2, City Hall Station, Exit 9. Walk straight ahead for three minutes, until you reach the Joongang Ilbo (newspaper) Building on your left.
For bus information please call the free Tourist Information service on 1330.

Exhibition by feminist artist, Yun Suk Nam til Feb 24

The gallery Hakgojae --- located on Samcheongdong-gil next to Gyeongbokgung Palace --- is hosting an exhibit of the work of feminist painter Yun Suk-Nam through Feb 24. The exhibit is a continuation of Yun's exhibit at the Arko Art Center in October of last year. Through her creation of 108 wooden dogs --- artistic expressions of 108 stray dogs abandoned due to mankind's capriciousness --- she holds a memorial ceremony for the dogs' salvation.

Through the exhibition, we can reflect on our insensitivity to abandoned things. Yun started carving 1,025 wooden dogs in 2004, when she met Lee Ae-Shin, who takes care of abandoned dogs. For more information, visit the website of Hakgojae. http://www.hakgojae.com/

Address
110-200 70, Sokyuk-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, Korea
T 82-2-720-1524~6 / F 82-2-720-1527

Gallery hours:
- Tuesday-Sunday: 10am - 6pm
- Closed on Monday



Transportation:
Sokyuk-dong Hakgojae
By Subway:
No.3 line Anguk Station(exit No.1) or No.3 line
Kyungbok Palace Station(exit No.2)
No.5 line Kwanghwamoon Station(exit No.2)
15minutes walk from Subway Station

By Bus:
109,151,162,171,172,272,601,1012,7025 Jongno
Police Station
15minutes walk from Bus Station

Free film - "Asako in ruby shoes", screening Wed Feb 18 and 25 only

Asako in Ruby Shoes

Date: February 18 and 25 (Wed) at 7 p.m.
Year of Production: 2000
Running time: 117 min.
Director: E J-yong
Language: Korean
Subtitles: English
Rating: 15+
Cost: free
Venue: Korea Foundation Cultural Center (KFCC), Joongang Ilbo Building, Sunhwa-dong, Junggu, Seoul
Synopsis:
Public servant Woo-in’s work is an endless repetition of trivial business, and his everyday life is made up of dull activities like surfing the Internet. He has a crush on Mia, a red-haired assistant instructor at a cooking school, but she doesn’t care about him. On a dating website, Woo-in finds a girl named “Asako” who resembles Mia. …… Aya, who has failed to enter college, dreams of leaving behind her hopeless home and committing suicide on the International Date Line by holding her breath. But saving money for a plane ticket is not easy. In the meantime, she finds an Internet modeling job. As “Asako,” which in Japanese means “girl of the morning,” she gazes at the camera sadly, wearing a red wig...

+ Web Site: http://www.kfcenter.or.kr
+ How to Get There:
By subway: Line 1 & 2, City Hall Station, Exit 9. Walk straight ahead for three minutes, until you reach the Joongang Ilbo (newspaper) Building on your left.
For bus information please call the free Tourist Information service on 1330.

Qiu Xiaofei -'Invisible journeys' - solo exhibition - Doosan Art Gallery, Jongno, Seoul til March 26

Venue:Doosan Gallery, Doosan Art Center, Jongno, Seoul.
Dates: Feb 12 - March 26, 2009
Time: Daily 11am to 8pm
Entry: free
Qiu Xiaofei is a young artist, born in 1977 in northeastern China’s Harbin, who studied oil painting at the Central Academy of Fine Arts until his graduation in 2002. He is considered to be a major rising star in the Chinese contemporary art scene.

In this exhibition we can see a variety of his works, completed over the past few years.Qiu Xiaofei's artistic practice, which includes oil and watercolor painting, three-dimensional painting-sculpture, and installation, is based on the relationship between memory and history, and the subjective nature of lived experience.

In some of his paintings we can sense a dreamlike and blurry state of memory. In fact many works are painted from photographs of the artist's own childhood in China (or his memories of old photo albums). He makes use of dim hues or monochrome color schemes, and portrays simple memories, such as a deer in a zoo, or watching clouds and water from the window of an airplane. The artist also extends his explorations of personal memory in his 'sculptural paintings'. In these he combines the techniques of painting and sculpture by painting over fiberglass and plastic forms to give a painterly feel to 3-dimensional sculptures.

His installation work tends to deal with broader themes of power, media, and social pressure, as experienced in the rapidly industrializing China of today. An example of this is his piece "Holiday Dreams" (used in the exhibition poster), in which a meat grinder spills vast quantities of pink matter onto a wooden table, perhaps a symbol of over-consumption and excess of modern times.

Qiu Xiaofei has achieved artistic success in just a few short years and has exhibited in international galleries such as Bern Art Gallery of Switzerland, the National Gallery of China, and many others.

“I hope very much, through my painting, to construct a world I know well, a history that has actually influenced me,” Qiu says.

Exhibition dates: 2009.02.12~2009.03.26
Opening times: 11a.m - 8p.m
Contact person: (02)708-5050, jinwoo.chung@doosan.com

Transport directions: nearest subway Jongno-5-ga station Exit 1, take the next right at the '5 ga pharmacy' and walk straight until you see the large Doosan Art Center building on your left.
See the website for map and information (in Korean): http://www.doosanartcenter.com

List of art exhibitions current in February, 2009 (from Korea Times Feb 13)

Art Exhibitions

2050 Future Scope
Savina Museum of Contemporary Art
Through Feb. 28
What does the future look like according to Korean contemporary artists? Find out at the ``2050 Future Scope'' exhibition at the Savina Museum of Contemporary Art (Anguk Station Subway Line 3, Exit 1). Call (02) 736-4371 or visit savinamuseum.com.
Yoon Jin-suk's delicate ink paintings evoke countryside serenity. Galley Dos is located in Insa-dong. Call (02) 735-4678.

On The Earth
Arario Seoul
Feb. 2-22
Lim Young-sun, who uses sculpture, video, audio and other electronic media in his works, is holding a solo exhibition at Arario Seoul. Visit www.ararioseoul.com or call (02) 723 6190.

Silhouette
Lee & Park Gallery
Through March 1
Kim Hyung-jong explores the subtleties of silhouettes in his art works. The gallery is located in Heyri Art Valley, Gyeonggi province. Call (031) 975-7521.

Lightless Light
Through Feb. 14
I M Art Gallery
Lightless Light is a group exhibition featuring works by 14 rising Korean artists such as Sohn Woo-sung, Ahn Da-bin, Lee Sol-ne, Min2 and Park Jin-woo. Call (02) 3446-3766 or visit www.imartgallery.com.

Camille Pissarro: Family and Friends
Aramnuri Arts Center
Through March 25
Masterpieces by Camille Pissaro (1830-1903), considered the father of Impressionism, are in Korea for the first time. His paintings, prints and drawings are from the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Oxford. Admission is 10,000 won for adults, 7,000 won for students and 5,000 won for children. Visit www.artgy.or.kr or call (031) 960-0180.


Class of 2009
DoArt
Through Feb. 22
DoArt is shining the spotlight on young and promising Korean artists, all of whom were born in the early 1980s and represent a new, contemporary generation. Among them are Gil Yang-suk, Kim Boram, Oh Yee-rin, Lee Hyun-hee and Lim Sodam. DoArt is located on the third floor of Gallery Hyundai Gangnam Space. Visit www.doartseoul.com or call (02) 519-0800.

Laurence Dervaux
Atelier Hermes
Through March 1
Atelier Hermes, located near Dosan Park in Sinsa-dong, is hosting its first art exhibition for 2009, featuring the works of Belgian painter Laurence Dervaux. The exhibit represents water in a person's body through transparent resin puddles or droplets. Call (02) 544-7722.

Random Tasks
Gallery 2
Through Feb. 21
Fresh and exciting works by five rising Korean artists ― Jackson Hong, Lee Eui-ju, Kim Young-zeen, Choi Byoung-il and W & Whale ― are on display at Gallery 2, open 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call (02) 3448-2112.

A Master of 20th Century Design
Vitamin Station, V Gallery
Through March 29
American designer Charles Eames was known for his groundbreaking architecture and modern furniture designs. His famous chair designs are on display at the Vitamin Station. Admission is free. Located at the Seoul Arts Center. Visit www.sac.or.kr.

Modern Korea Rediscovered
National Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace
Through March 22
Trace the development of contemporary Korean art at this extensive exhibition at the National Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace. Works of more than 100 Korean painters and sculptors from 1910 to 1960 are shown. Admission is free. Visit www.koreamodern.com.

Rubens, Baroque Masterpieces
Main Exhibition Hall 1, Sejong Center for Performing Arts
Through March 15
Masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthonis Van Dyk, Jan Van Goyen and other Flemish artists are in Seoul for the first time. The artworks are on loan from the Vienna Academy Museum. Admission is 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 for students and 7,000 for children. Call 1544-6154.

Joan Miro: The Last Passion
Museum of Art, Seongnam Art Center
Through Feb. 22
A retrospective of Spanish artist Joan Miro is ongoing at the Seongnam Art Center. Call (02) 783-8141 or www.snart.or.kr..

Soonja Han
Johyun Gallery
Through Feb.14
Circles are the main theme of Soonja Han's works. With no traces of Asian or Western influences, Han creates lively colored circles that intersect. Visit www.johyungallery.com or call (02) 3443-6364.

Shisei Kuwabara
The Museum of Photography, Seoul
Through Feb. 21
Renowned Japanese photojournalist Shisei Kuwabara is holding a solo exhibition of his black-and-white photographs of Korea. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr or call (02) 418-1315.

39(2)
Art Sonje Center
Through Feb. 15
Paradigm Shift curator Han Keum-hyun put together this group exhibition of works by artists Kim Gyoo-sik, Noh Sun-tag, Back Seung-woo, Lee Young-hoon and Jeon Jae-hong. The center is open Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.artsonje.org/asc or the exhibition blog: a39c2.wordpress.com.

Great Masters of European Art: Meet Rembrandt
Hangaram Art Museum
Through Feb. 26
Art works by great European masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck and Boucher are in Seoul for the first time. The works are from the permanent collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, Russia. The exhibit is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 for youths and 7,000 for children. Call (02) 2113-3400. Visit www.sac.or.kr (English, Korean).

Park Hong-soon Solo Exhibition
Museum of Photography, Seoul
Through Feb. 21
Park Hong-soon is holding a solo exhibition of his black and white photography. Visit www.photomuseum.or.kr or call (02) 418-1315.

Misterio
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Through March 1
Park Jae-kwon is holding a solo exhibition, Misterio, at the Gallery 6 of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea. Visit www.moca.go.kr.

Who's Next in China
Opera Gallery
Open Run
The works of the next generation of Chinese artists such as Xue Song, Zhang Wei, Feng Ling and Xiong Qin are showcased at Opera Gallery Seoul. Visit www.operagallery.com.

Heaven for Artists
Seoul Museum of Art
Through March 22
"Heaven for Artists" features 79 works, which show the different concepts of heaven, from the renowned Pompidou Center in Paris, France. Artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Joan Miro, Raoul Dufy and Marc Chagall show how they interpret heaven. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 9,000 won 12-17 year olds, and 7,000 won for 6-11 year olds. Closed on Monday. Visit www.seoulmoa.org or www.pompidou2008.kr.

I Am An Artist
National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Through March 8
The Young Korean Artists 2008 exhibit features works by promising artists such as Sang Seok-ho, Kim Si-won, Wee Young-il, Lee Jae-hoon and Che One-joon. Visit www.moca.go.kr or call (02) 2188-6000.

Va & Vient
NaLee Mecenat Art Center
Through Feb. 14
Eight French artists, such as Jean-Marie Appriou, Carole Bailly, Julia Chobert, Pierre Derrien, are participating in this group exhibit at the center, located in Gimpo City. Visit www.nalee.net or artcenter.nalee.net.

The Gleam of Lanterns
Cyan Museum of Art
Through April 26
Sculptor Park Choong-heum is holding a solo exhibition that explores art and design as a symbol of life. Visit www.cyanmuseum.org or call (054) 338-9391.

"Missing" contemporary solo exhibition, Gallery Sangsang madang, Hongdae til Feb 22

The Korean artist Na Hyun is showing a collection of drawings, photos, documents, installation and video as the culmination of his art project investigating the fate of seven French soldiers who went missing during the Korean war.

During his research the artist travelled to France to interview survivors of the Korean war who returned home, examined the hometown of the missing soldiers, and copied military records to get a sense of the life of these missing men, but the end result is far more than mere documentation. The artist has taken a non-linear approach and through the creative installation of photos, military documents, old maps, drawings, video and paintings has created a mystical journey through notions of time, space, nationality, memory, absence and presence.

The exhibition is on show until Feb 22, and entry is free.
Gallery hours are daily from 1pm - 10 pm.
Venue: Gallery Sangsang madang, 2F, Sangsang madang Cultural Center, Hongdae.
Address: Seogyo-dong 363-19, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
Tel: 02-3141-7030

For more information see the website (Korean only):
http://www.sangsangmadang.com/gallery/information/view.asp?GalS=79
Transport:
By bus: Please call the Tourist Information Center for bus information.
The closest subway station is Hapjeong station, Line 2, Line 6, exit 3. Either take a taxi for the minimum fare (say "Sangsang madang" to the driver) or walk down the main road towards Sinchon for 50 meters and turn right at the crossroads at the Bobo Hotel. Cross the road and keep walking about 200 meters until you see the unusual Sangsang madang Cultural center building on your left.

2009 Traditional Music Class for Foreigners, National Folk Museum starts March 7

This program provides foreigners who live in Korea to help them to understand better traditional culture through learning traditional instruments continuously and long-term. Classes are held at the National Folk Museum, Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul.

◈ Program Title : 2009 Traditional Music Class for Foreigners
◈ Sponsor : National Folk Museum of Korea
◈ Period : From March. 7 to May. 30, 2009 (Every Saturday)
◈ Class & Time
① Danso Class (Vertical Bamboo Flute) : 10:00-12:00
② Samulnori Class (Percussion Quartet) : 13:00-15:00

◈ Place : Audio-visual Room, National Folk Museum
◈ Eligible applicants: Foreigners who live in Korea (20~30 people per 1 class)


◈ Programs:
A/ Danso (vertical bamboo flute)
Instructor: (Dong Seong-bon)

1.Making Danso
2.Lecture of Danso theory
3.Practice
4.Watching Traditional Performance

Every Saturday from March to May 10:00~12:00
(12 weeks)
Location: Audio-visual Room in NFMK

B/ Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion)
Instructor: (Oh Gwang Ryeol)

1.Lecture of traditional instruments theory
2.Learning basic techniques about each instrument
3.Practice
4.Watching Traditional Performance

Every Saturday from March to May, 13:00~15:00 , (12 weeks)

◈ How to Apply
ㅇ Period : 2009. 2. 2(Mon) ~ 2. 20(Fri)
ㅇ Submission Material : Application Form
(Download from the Museum's website www.nfm.go.kr),
send 1 copy of passport or certificate of Alien Registration by Fax, E-mail or Mail
ㅇ Address : National Folk Museum of Korea, NFMK
(Samcheongdong-gil 35, Jongno-Gu, SEOUL 110-820)
ㅇ If you have any questions or need additional Information,
Phone : 02-3704-3104 Fax : 02-3704-3149, E-Mail : varano97@nfm.go.kr

◈ Participation Fee : 30,000 won
※The payment which will be starting class (March. 7 , 2009)

◈ Program Support
ㅇ Providing textbook and score
ㅇ The instruments necessary for the lesson will be leased during the class except
for Danso (Materials for making Danso will provide all participants)
ㅇ Free admission about Traditional Performance
ㅇ After 12 weeks program, small gift will be provided (※ Issuing certificate of program)

Exhibition opening 'sidescape', Ssamzie Space, Hongdae, Feb 17 - Mar 15

The artist Soun Hong is opening a solo exhibition entitled 'Sidescape' at the Ssamzie Space in Hongdae on Tuesday Feb, 17, 6pm.
This exhibition will run from Feb 17 until March 15.
Opening hours daily 11am - 7pm (closed on Sundays).
Style: contemporary painting
Admission: free

Last June, the artist Soun Hong and the well-known Seoul art development center, Ssamzie Space were invited to take part in the 'SITE', Santa Fe’s seventh international bienniale. The biennale's theme was showcasing experimental art organizations and their artists in order to highlight community spirit. For 'SITE', Soun Hong presented an installation of many small paintings clustered in unusual locations about the gallery space, and his works were very well-received by the audience

This current exhibition, entitled 'Side scape', at SSamzie Space presents Hong's series of works that were shown at the Biennale plus his new series of large-scale 'Sidescape' paintings. Hong says he believes strongly in the power of art to change the way we see the world, as individuals and as a culture.


The title of the series refers to peripheral vision, and seeing things from a different perspective. Hong's abstract, atmospheric paintings are inspired by familiar images gathered from the print media, advertising, and the Internet and portray disparate subjects such as plane crashes and elements of landscapes. He has then further experimented with the dynamics of how we can interpret paintings through his unorthodox methods of installing the canvases in the gallery such as clustering the paintings, positioning images unusually high or low, or utilizing the quirky architectural features of the space itself. In this way he creates visual relationships between the pieces that become apparent only at specific viewpoints. Combined with the artist’s deliberate loose painting style, the overall effect is ambiguous and leaves the audience with much to ponder.

Hong was born in 1959 in Seoul, and has worked in different media, ranging from printmaking to painting and installation art.

Website: wwwssamziespace.com
Tel: 02 3142-1693/4
Address: Ssamzie Space, 121-190 5-129 Changjeong-dong, Mapogu, Seoul
Transport: Closest subway Green line # 2, Sinchon, exit 7 or 8, or Hongik University subway, exit 4 or 5. For a map check the website (English): http://www.ssamziespace.com/eng/about/about_info.htm
or see map below:

Free music concerts at Expression Gallery Yogiga, Hongdae til Feb 12

Korean musician Kim Kwansuk is playing a free concert at Expression Gallery Yogiga every evening til Thursday, Feb 12, and there are more experimental guest musicians playing with him. including a musican from Japan.

So check out the alternative venue 'Yogiga' any evening from 7.30 - 10pm. You can find the venue Yogiga (not to be confused with the restaurant called "Yogi") in a basement not far from Hapjeong subway station (Line 6, Line 2). Take exit 5, and walk up the main road towards Sangsu station and take the second left. When you see Family Mart on the corner, turn left again and Yogiga will be in a basement on your left. (see the map below)
See website (Korean): http://yogiga.com/tt
TeL: 02 3141-2603

"Don Juan" flamenco musical production - Feb 6 - Mar 8

An extravagant musical, `Don Juan', will be adapted for Korea and hit the stage from Feb. 6 at Seongnam Arts Center.
Based on the story of a legendary fictional libertine with irresistible charm, it was first staged here in 2006 and enthralled Korean audiences.
Ju Ji-hun, Kim Da-hyun and Kang Tae-eul will alternate playing the title role. The musical is renowned for its ravishing flamenco dance performances, tinged with strong Latin music. The NDPK, a local musical production company, will use a 40-centimeter thick wooden round stage to amplify tapping sounds as they dance flamenco.
The Spanish flamenco dancers and orchestra who performed in 2006 will also cooperate with the Korean actors.
It will run through March 8 at Seongnam Arts Center in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province. Tickets are from 30,000 won to 110,000 won. For details, call (02) 501-1377.
See website (in Korean): http://www.snart.or.kr
Transport details in English: http://www.snart.or.kr/english/map/map.asp

Valentine's Day free music gigs - Hongdae - 3 foreign bands - Feb 14

What: free music performances by local bands The Literallies, Bridget and the Puppycats, Itta and Margido
When: Sat. Feb 14, starting 8pm
Where: "Kuuchuu camp", Hongdae, see map below
Cost: free

More info: see websites-
www.myspace.com/the literallies
www.myspace.com/missmaamsanfran
www.myspace.com/ittaexist

"Energy" - Video Art Project team 'Edge' - exhibition opening Fri. Feb 13

"Energy" is the title of the first exhibition of the video art project team,' Edge', from Hongik University.
Exhibition opens Friday Feb 13 at 6pm, and runs til Feb 19.
Venue: Door Gallery, Hongdae
Tel: 010 9012 6495
Website: www.thedoor.co.kr
Address: 121-818 Seoul Mapo-gu Dongkyodong 177-22

New Italian Cinema - free screenings and talks at KFCC, Seoul til Feb 13

The Korea Foundation Cultural center (KFCC) is holding special free screening of new Italian cinema, all with English subtitles. Prior to every film a talk about the film will be given in English by the director of the Italian Cultural Institute.
Screening Schedule:
Mon Feb 9, 7pm : Romanzo Criminale (Crime novel), Director: Michele Placido
Wed Feb 11, 7pm: Io non ho paura (I'm not scared) Director: Gabriele Salvatores
Fri Feb 13, 7pm: Lascia perdere Johnny! (Don't waste your time Johnny!), Director: Fabrizio Bentivoglio
Location: KFCC, JoongAng Ilbo building, near City Hall, Seoul. Exit 9 City hall subway and walk 150 meters to JoongAng Ilbo building on your left. (see map on previous posting - Jan 26, 2009 - in this blog)
See website: http://www.kfcenter.or.kr/english/



IO NON HO PAURA (I’M NOT SCARED)
Date: February 11(Wed) at 7 p.m.
Year of Production: 2003
Running time: 109 min.
Director: Gabriele Salvatores
Language: Italian
Subtitles: English
Rating: 15+

Move on Asia 2009 - single channel video festival - Loop Gallery Hongdae - Feb 6 - Mar 3

Date: 2009. 2. 6. Fri - 3.11. Wed
Opening: 2009. 2. 6. Fri 18:00
Venue: Alternative Space LOOP, Hongdae, Seoul (see map)
Title: The End of Video Art
Organizer: Soongsil University,Alternative Space LOOP
Website: http://www.galleryloop.com/
Curators:
(Australia)Stephanie Han
(China)FENG Boyi_LENG Lin
(Hong Kong)Alvaro Rodriguez_Fominaya
(India, Pakistan)Johan Pijnappel
(Indonesia)Ade Darmawan
(Japan)HARA Hisako_IEMURA Kayoko_HIRAMATSU Nobuyuki_AMENOMORI Nov_SUMITOMO Fumihiko
(Korea)KIM SeongYoun_SUH Jinsuk
(Philippines)Patrick Flores
(Singapore)Eugene Tan
(Sri Lanka)Jagath Weerasinghe
(Taiwan)CHANG Fang-Wei
(Turkey)Pelin Uran
(Vietnam)Do Thi Tuyet Mai


Artists:
(Australia)Matthew Griffin_Sue Dodd
(China)SONG Dong_ZHAO Liang_ZHANG Qing_ZHOU Hongxiang
(HongKong)HUNG Keung
(India)Chitra Ganesh_Shakuntala Kulkarni_Tushar Joag_Thukral & Tagra
(Indonesia)Mahardika Yudha_Ari Dina Krestiawan
(Japan)TOCHKA_TEAMLAB_TAKI Kentaro_EGEYAMA Yuka_Pallalink_KURASHIGE Jin
(Korea)LEE Kwangkee_JUNG Jisuk_SUH Dongwook_LIM Minouk
(Pakistan)Sophie Ernst
(Philippines)Cocoy Lumbao_Manny Montelibano
(Singapore)Charles Lim_Donna Ong
(Sri Lanka)Thisath Thoradeniya
(Taiwan)CHEN Chin-chien_WANG Yahui_WU Dar-Kuen
(Turkey)Asli Sungu
(Vietnam)Thanh-Hai_Le Vo Tuan



Video Art Network Forum 2009

Date: 2009. 2. 5.Thu - 2. 6. Fri 13:00 - 18:00
Venue: 102. Information Science Bldg. Soongsil University
Organizer: Soongsil University BK21 Digital Media Division,Alternative Space LOOP
Subject: The share of archiving and reconsideration of video and media art’s role in 21st century
Moderator: KIM Kyujung (professor, Soongsil University, Korea)
Suh Jinsuk (Directer, Alternative Space LOOP, Korea)


Time Table
Session 1
2009. 2. 5. Fri 13:00 - 18:00
Theme: Globalization, 21st century, reconsideration of identity and role of media art/ Moderator: KIM Kyujung

13:00-13:10 Keynote Speech (KIM Kyujung)
13:10-13:30 The introduction of Move On Asia and Video Art Network Forum (SUH Jinsuk)
13:30-14:10 Why Video Art Preservation Requires Special Handling (Howard Besser)
14:10-14:50 ICC HIVE - the open video archive (Hatanaka Minoru)
14:50-15:00 Break
15:00-15:40 Archiving video- and media art (Heiner Holtappels)
15:40-16:20 Archiving and materialism (Fumihiko Sumitomo)
16:20-17:00 Imagining the future of video art distribution (Abina Manning)
17:00-18:00 Question period and Open discussion


Session 2
2009. 2. 6. Fri 13:00 - 18:00
Theme: Globalization, 21st century, reconsideration of identity and role of media art/ Moderator: KIM Kyujung
13:00-13:20 Keynote Speech (KIM Kyujung)
13:20-14:00 The materialistic approach to the changing of media-formats (Nishimura Yasuhiro)
14:00-14:40 A possibility of multimedia catalogue in the work of installation. (Sato Minoru)
14:40-14:50 Break
14:50-15:30 The Never ending end of video art! (Johan Pijappel)
15:30-16:10 What is the identity of Video Art? (Lee younguk)
16:10-16:50 Media Art and Shamanism (Yi Won-Kon)
16:50-18:00 Question period and Open discussion