Noel Rockmore, Picasso of New Orleans, revisited

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ In the four-block radius where he painted and drank himself into frightening stupors, Noel Rockmore was known by the denizens of the French Quarter as an outrageous Pablo Picasso-like figure who combined the mythological and the real. He produced some 15,000 oil paintings, tempera

Dec. 29, 2011

NYT calls Gwangju Biennale show highlight of 2011

The New York Times last week mentioned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei-directed show “Unnamed” at Korea’s Gwangju Design Biennale as one of the outstanding contemporary shows held this year.In its article titled “From Apple to Occupy, the Design Honors List for 2011,” which was published on Dec. 25, Ai’s show at Gwangju was mentioned as exceptional along with the Museum of Modern Art in New York’s communication design show called “Talk to Me.”The “Unnamed” show featured design products by

Dec. 28, 2011

Prima dancers explore life’s journey

‘Endless Voyage’ features top dancers from three major ballet troupesLife is a journey. We are all in the same boat, no matter who we are. Dancers from the nation’s top three troupes ― Korea National Ballet, Universal Ballet and The National Dance Company of Korea ― will be on a boat, literally, to depict a condensed version of life at the show “Endless Voyage.”The show takes place Jan. 4-5 at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul.A press call on Tuesday showed a glimp

Dec. 28, 2011

More overseas cultural centers to open in 2012

Seven more Korean Cultural Centers will open next year, making 28 around the world, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Tuesday. The new centers are scheduled to open in Hungary, Mexico, India, Thailand, Belgium, Brazil and Egypt by the end of 2012, the ministry said in a year-end press release. The cultural centers will continue their activities of introducing and promoting Korea’s culture, and increasing cultural exchanges with the respective organizations in each overseas city

Dec. 27, 2011

‘Staying unique, independent from fads’

U.S. indie-rock band Beirut to hit the stage in SeoulBeirut started out as a bedroom recording project of Santa Fe songwriter Zach Condon, later developing into a six-member band that combines indie, rock and folk elements into flowing ballads and harmonious instrumental interludes.While taking more upbeat, accessible turns in the years after the band’s 2006 debut, Condon’s songs have held on to their languorousness, which the band leader describes as part of the “uniqueness” he considers key to

Dec. 27, 2011

A blast from the past with Astro Boy

Goyang Aram Nuri showcases cartoons by Tezuka Osamu, controversial worksThe little but brave Astro Boy used to fascinate children back in the 1970s, shooting up toward the sky clenching his tiny fists, wearing his impressive pair of red boots.Better known as Atom here, he was one of the first and most popular animation characters in the black-and-white TV days. He not only showered kids with hopes and dreams about science and outer space, but also pondered serious issues of the time such as the

Dec. 26, 2011

Big bashes ring in the New Year

Where, how to hail the Year of DragonEvery year has witnessed a progressive growth in the scale and breadth of Seoul’s countdown parties. Single and double star events gave way to multiple act showdowns, then, last year, two game-changers busted out the big guns. Countdown Seoul 2011 transformed the massive Yeongdeungpo shopping complex, Times Square, into a multi-floor over 15-act music bonanza featuring former Daft Punk manager-and-Ed Banger Records’ head Pedro Winter a.k.a. Busy P, the late D

Dec. 23, 2011

Calendars

Classical Music“Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra New Year’s Concert”: Vienna Strauss Festival Orchestra, founded in 1978 by artistic producer Peter Guth, will perform with soprano Im Sun-hae and hold its fourth performance in Korea on Jan. 18. The orchestra performed here as recently as January this year. The orchestra has been touring throughout Europe, Asia and America with a wide repertoire. In the upcoming concert, the orchestra will be performing pieces by composers Johann Strauss, Joseph

Dec. 23, 2011

Lee explores theme of utopia

Your Paradise, By Yi Ch’ongjun (Lee Cheong-jun)Translated by Jennifer Lee, Timothy Tangherlini (Green Integer)Well-known for “Snowy Road,” his poignant short story about motherly love, the late author Lee Cheong-jun is considered one of the most prominent 20th-century Korean novelists. Lee’s 1976 novel “Your Paradise” is a moving allegory about utopia which takes place on Korea’s real-life leper colony island Sorok-do. Located near Goheung, South Jeolla Province, the island has been home to peop

Dec. 23, 2011

China’s purple sand tea pots on show

Yixing Purple Sand Pottery Arts Factory leads tea-making culture and art investment in ChinaA small tea pot made headlines around the world in 2010 when it was sold for 12.32 million RMB ($1.94 million) at China Guardian’s auction in Beijing. It was not made of diamonds or gold, but of purple sand by renowned Chinese potter Gu Jingzhou. Acclaimed artist Wu Fan did the tea pot’s engravings.Though unfamiliar to many, purple sand has been considered a top-quality material for making tea utensils s

Dec. 22, 2011

Change in black and white

Late photographer Limb Eung-sik’s works take viewers on a journey back in timeWar refugee children stare at the camera with hungry eyes and muddy clothes in a photo taken in Seoul in 1950. Only 20 years later, though still captured in black and white, women are gaily walking down the shopping streets of Myeong-dong decked in hot pants and miniskirts. South Korea’s dramatic changes from the 1930s up until the 1980s captured by late photographer Limb Eung-sik are on display at the National Museum

Dec. 20, 2011