PARIS (AP) ― Art lovers should expect the unexpected in the latest offering of the ground-breaking and normally roof-scraping Monumenta exhibit, as artist Daniel Buren brings the Grand Palais’ lofty ceiling for the first time ―literally ― down to earth.Monumenta, the hugely-mediatized annual art project that’s in its fifth year dares an artist of international stature to “move into’’ the nave of one of the French capital’s most monumental buildings, and own it.With a space measuring 13,500 squar

May 10, 2012

A newly discovered hand-written letter of Joseon’s most celebrated naval commander Admiral Yi Sun-sin has confirmed his efforts to establish military ties with China’s Ming Dynasty during the Japanese invasions of Korea, said a scholar on Thursday. “The letter is the only written record that shows that Yi tried to forge ties with the Ming Dynasty’s navy during the war,” said Lee Sang-hoon, the chief curator of Korea Naval Academy Museum, who has been studying the document since February. “It rev

May 10, 2012

Quartet describes the album as ‘buffet’ of different genresUlala Session, the winner of the nation’s famous TV audition program “Superstar K3,” has made their professional debut with their first mini album on Thursday.  “We are so overwhelmed by the release of our debut album. The mini album is the start of our journey in our music career,” said the group’s leader Yim Yoon-taek at a news conference on Wednesday. The quartet, which consists of Yim, Kim Myung-hoon, Park Seung-il and Park Kwang-sun

May 9, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― Performance artist Marina Abramovic plans to build a $15 million center in upstate New York devoted to the research and production of duration-based works of art lasting from six hours to several days.She unveiled the design for The Marina Abramovic Institute for the Preservation of Performance Art at MoMA PS 1 on Monday.In a phone interview last week, Abramovic said the architectural firm OMA will transform a former tennis center in Hudson, New York _ about two hours north of Ne

May 8, 2012

LOS ANGELES ― Most fans of the Beastie Boys’ early hits know Adam Yauch, or MCA as he was known, for a few choice boasts, like “I got more juice than Picasso’s got paint” (from the 1986 song “The New Style”). Despite the group’s early reputation as party animals, however, peace, mindfulness and positive energy were subjects the rapper wanted to represent in his work.Any remembrance of Yauch has to focus on the more spiritual lines he wrote, as on 1998’s “Intergalactic,” where he perfectly descri

May 7, 2012

Japanese band  L’Arc-en-Ciel returns to Korea to connect with local fansFrom start to finish, it was obvious what brought Japanese band L’Arc-en-Ciel back to Seoul on Saturday night: the fans.They came en masse, decked out in the band’s t-shirts and towels. A few imitating vocalist Hyde’s notorious dark, vampiric style, while a few others were decked out in kimonos. And they left just as happy and excited as they arrived.The show started off jam-packed with energy and with explosive technology.

May 6, 2012

Korean indie band Galaxy Express gains confidence after U.S. tourGalaxy Express, one of the leading indie rock bands based in Hongdae, wondered why they had to go to the U.S. to perform when they were first offered the chance two years ago.“We were asked to participate in a project called SEOULSONIC designed to bring Korean rock groups to North America. But we said, ‘No. Why do we have to? We are already doing great and busy here,’” said Park Jong-hyun, the band’s guitarist and vocal.The band wh

May 6, 2012

 Big Bang won in the Best Fan category at the 2012 MTV Total Request Live awards in Firenze, Italy, on Saturday. It was the first time an Asian artist had won the best fan award, which also nominated global pop star Avril Lavigne and popular British group One Direction. TRL is a television series on MTV that features popular music videos and the winner of the awards chosen through online fan voting on the MTV TRL official website. YG Entertainment, Big Bang’s agency, said “We are very happy and

May 6, 2012

Exhibitions“Dajeong”: Kim Jong-hak’s solo exhibition at Gallery Hyundai unveils his paintings as well as heartwarming letters he wrote to his daughter when he was working away from home at Seorak Mountain. The exhibition also features Kim’s collection of antiques, which will help visitors understand his artistic philosophy and characteristics. It offers a chance for the viewers to get to know about the veteran artist born in North Korea in 1937 with his 20 drawings and some 40 hand-written lette

May 4, 2012

Underwood’s image overshadows artCarrie Underwood“Blown Away” (19/Arista)The cover of Carrie Underwood’s fourth album illustrates her evolution since introducing herself as a young Oklahoma woman with a powerful voice.Initially, she came across as the friendly girl next door, with songs about Jesus and of compassion for the less fortunate, while showing her wit with empowering songs about getting back at a cheating guy.The cover of “Blown Away” depicts the modern Underwood as an airbrushed, supe

May 4, 2012

The legendary Japanese rock band L’Arc-en-Ciel will meet long-waiting Korean fans at a concert on Saturday in Seoul, making the city the 10th stop on their grand world tour. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the band embarked on a 14-city world tour, expecting to attract a total of 450,000 fans.“I really thank our fans. Their love and cheers have driven us to keep doing what we have been doing,” said the bassist Tetsuya at a news conference on Friday in Seoul. “I feel so lucky because there are

May 4, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― One of the art world’s most recognizable images ― Edvard Munch’s “The Scream’’ ― sold Wednesday for a record $119,922,500 at auction in New York City.The 1895 artwork ― a modern symbol of human anxiety ― was sold at Sotheby’s. Neither the buyer’s name nor any details about the buyer was released.The previous record for an artwork sold at auction was $106.5 million for Picasso’s “Nude, Green Leaves, and Bust,’’ sold by Christie’s in 2010.Munch’s image of a man holding his head and

May 3, 2012

Coffee should be as dark as hell, as strong as death and as sweet as love.It’s no wonder this famous coffee-themed proverb is from Turkey. After all, the world’s first coffeehouse was established in the 17th century Istanbul, during the time of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman sultans’ love for coffee was notorious; they had at least six maids serving the beverage, using some of the most expensive burners, pots and cups ― all made of silver and diamonds.The lavish coffee-drinking culture is just

May 3, 2012

 Modern rock band releases new album  ‘Slip Away,’ plans to go abroad Breaking a four-year hiatus, modern rock band Nell returned to fans with its fifth album “Slip Away” last month, already sweeping the country’s music charts thanks to its signature psychedelic and addictive sound. The new album sounds more spacious, acoustic and profound than before, clearly demonstrating that the members of the 13-year-old band have fully matured as musicians and as men. Now in their 30s, the band members sai

May 3, 2012