K-pop singer and multi-entertainer Psy announced he will set up an independent record label. “I have always dreamed of establishing my own agency and following in the footsteps of S.M., YG and JYP Entertainment,” he told reporters on Monday. He said his record label would be characterized as an affiliate of his agency YG Entertainment. He said he will be in charge of music production and his agency will be doing other responsibilities. “I am not leaving YG Entertainment,” he said. Under the mana

Performance July 18, 2012

Young Korean artists and Swiss video artist offer snapshots of latest visual art trendLeeum, Samsung Museum of Art presents two special exhibitions featuring still pictures, documentaries and video work created by young Korean artists and an internationally renowned visual artist. The museum is holding a group exhibition of eight young Korean visual artists as part of its biennial ArtSpectrum project and a solo exhibition of the world-famous Swiss visual artist Pipilotti Rist for two months. “We

Performance July 17, 2012

British-themed exhibitions encompass contemporary artworks to BeatlesArt may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of the Olympics. But the quadrennial event can be the largest and most effective cultural celebration as many eyes will be on the host country for more than two weeks and the events will be remembered for much longer. With less than two weeks left until the 2012 London Olympics, art galleries in Seoul are celebrating the big sporting event with art exhibitions on Bri

Performance July 15, 2012

MFUWE, Zambia ― We’re nodding off in our tent, pitched under a tree, when the crunching and gnashing begin.It’s the hippos again, a half-dozen massive beasts climbing up from the Luangwa River for their nightly feed. During September, a hot, dry month here at Zebra Plains Camp, in northeast Zambia, the tree’s foot-long fruit hang low, an irresistible meal for diners with gaping jaws and fist-size grinders.Silence falls as the hippos lumber away. For a moment we doze ― well wined and dined after

Travel July 13, 2012

Novel approaches create chemistry between products and their usersThe following is the first in a series of articles on various aspects of design prepared in anticipation of the Herald Design Forum on Sept. 19 - 21. ― Ed. Industrial design professor Shim Jae-jin has been carrying a pen by the German fountain pen company LAMY in his suit pocket for 12 years. Over the years, he developed affection toward it to the point where he doesn’t go anywhere without it. “I always check whether I have the pe

Arts & Design July 12, 2012

The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea has won one of the world’s largest and most distinguished design competitions with its recent Korean monochrome painting exhibition, becoming the country’s first national art museum to receive the award. NMOCA’s “Dansaekhwa: Korean Monochrome Painting” was chosen for the Red Dot design award in the category of communication design among a total of 6,823 design works from 43 countries that were considered, according to NMOCA officials. “The award mea

Arts & Design July 11, 2012

Gwangju Biennale announced a full roster of artists, directors and the theme for this year’s edition that will help establish itself as a highlight event for contemporary art in Asia. Asian artists account for almost half of the total 92 participating artists, whose countries of origin range from Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan and China to Korea. “We selected 44 Asian artists and six female Asian directors in order to solidify the image of the event as the representative cultu

Performance July 10, 2012

New York-based Korean artist’s work to be on permanent display at new Polish international airportAn artwork by a Korean artist will be put up for permanent display at the new airport in the Polish city of Poznan this fall, making it the second art piece to be installed at a foreign airport by a Korean artist. New York-based Korean artist Sang Nam Lee will showcase the 73-meter-wide and 3-meter-long art installation, called “Landscapic Algorithm,” in September when the third Mediations Biennale-

Performance July 9, 2012

Modernized white porcelain works appeal to international viewers at the 18th Biennale of SydneyTwo female Korean artists are showcasing collaborative works at the 18th Biennale of Sydney, revealing the beauty of Korean white porcelain reinterpreted in a modern way for international audiences. Ceramic artist Park Young-sook and sculptor Yee Soo-kyung have collaborated in “The Moon Project,” in which Park shows her signature white porcelain pieces “Moon Jars” and Yee presents a ball-shaped sculptu

Performance July 8, 2012

In a nation of more than 300 million people, a small county in the Pacific Ocean that’s home to just over 155,000 people has nearly a quarter of the country’s best beaches.Maui is called “The Valley Island,” but in most travelers’ minds, its beaches are synonymous with the Hawaiian island. In the annual “Best Beach” contest held since 1991, Maui has won four times ― five, if you want to stretch the definition of Maui. Maui County includes the islands of Molokai and Lanai. A beach on Lanai was th

Travel July 6, 2012

 Famous faces are the focus of the latest exhibition at Opera Gallery Seoul in Cheongdam-dong.The exhibition, titled “Visage,” features 50 portraits of well-known figures in history, including French fashion designer Coco Chanel, soprano Maria Callas as well as individuals by American and European artists.Seven artists active in North America and Europe reveal their distinctive characteristics through portraits.  Canadian artist Andre Monet recreates portraits of famous people in both avant-gard

Performance July 5, 2012

Annual forum expected to attract local audiences looking for inspirationA design forum organized by Herald Media is once again set to start an active discussion on the role of design and its impact this fall, hosting world’s leading designers, architects and artists. Launched last year, the Herald Design Forum has positioned itself as a major design forum in Korea inviting acclaimed figures in the field and attracting local audiences looking for inspiration. The forum, titled “Reimagine! Herald

Arts & Design July 5, 2012