The first 260 words of the Buddhist “Heart Sutra” run down a white wall rhythmically. The words concentrated on by generations of calligraphers using paper, brush and ink are represented through a different material, steel, to emphasize the Buddhist teaching.Artist Cho Hwan uniquely transforms the century-old practice of calligraphy into sculpture by using rough steel boards.  In the dimly lit room at Hakgojae Gallery in Seoul where his solo exhibition is being held, each word casts a shadow on

Performance Jan. 9, 2014

Every country has an artist who represents its sentiment and whose style inspires generation after generation of artists. In Korea, it is Park Soo-keun (1914-1965), a first-generation Western-style Korean painter whose style has touched the hearts of many Koreans. But more recently he has been often undervalued and received little attention for his great contributions to the Korean art community, largely due to the downturn of the local art market that started in 2009. Although Park’s paintings

Performance Jan. 8, 2014

Korea has seen the number of local festivals increase for the past couple of years, led by provincial governments’ push for tourism revenue. Some attracted thousands of visitors including foreign tourists and expat residents, establishing themselves as the most popular events in Korea. However, others still flounder with disappointing programs which make visitors feel deceived by flash promotions. For those looking for credible festival information, the Culture Ministry and the Korea Tourism Org

Travel Jan. 7, 2014

A number of museums have unveiled ambitious New Year plans to hold blockbuster exhibitions featuring big-name artists or select masterpieces that they tout can be encountered just once in a lifetime.But, some will attempt to go beyond such popular showcases of art to offer fresh insights into the latest art trends.Scheduled art exhibitions are focused on giving new perspectives of art and engaging with spectators.The first exhibition at Art Sonje Center defies stereotyped perceptions of opening

Performance Jan. 6, 2014

Photographer Atta Kim, whose innovative, striking photographs have received much attention in the global art community, will return with a solo exhibition this week in Seoul, breaking his six-year hiatus in the Korean art world. Kim will present new images to wrap up the “On-Air” project that won him worldwide attention, as well as his previous works and introduce another ambitious, philosophical project at his upcoming exhibitions scheduled to be held in three parts for two years in his native

Performance Jan. 5, 2014

The office floor of Kim Chang-il, chairman of Arario Group, is strewn with artworks like a statement of his life as an art lover. Four stuffed deer studded with glass balls, an artwork of Japanese artist Kohei Nawa, greet visitors. Then the onlooker’s gaze is naturally drawn to a large photograph hanging in the reception room, and then to more photographs and paintings in other rooms, all of them seen through glass walls. Kim, 63, who boasts a number of occupations ― a businessman, an art collec

Performance Jan. 3, 2014

Dongdaemun, one of the largest commercial districts in Korea, will have its new face revealed with the opening of the latest masterpiece by star architect Zaha Hadid, in an ambitious Seoul Metropolitan Government project to establish a design and cultural hub in the capital. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park will be unveiled in March amid anticipation that the new flashy building and its adjacent public park will attract citizens much like Korea’s first sports stadium originally located on th

Arts & Design Jan. 1, 2014

HIVA OA, Marquesas Islands ― “If it’s Tuesday, it must be Ua Pou,” said Keith, stretched out on the adjacent mattress. One of a half-dozen passengers still asleep on the upper deck of the Aranui 3, he pushed up on his elbows to watch the dawn skitter over the waves.“It rained last night, just enough to cool us off,” he said, yawning. “Did you get wet?”I didn’t remember. But I was a lot cooler than I’d been the day before.That night had been pretty warm. Stuffy in the lounge. Stifling even, if yo

Travel Dec. 27, 2013

 Authentic ‘osechi’ cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton, SeoulHanazono, the Japanese restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Seoul, will be serving traditional osechi New Year cuisine as part of its special lunch and dinner menu from Jan. 1 to 7. The set meals will include miniature, single-serving osechi, in which each dish has a special meaning of its own, as well as sashimi, jorim (a boiled-down soy sauce dish), stew, glutinous rice and dessert. The osechi consist of prawns cooked in a special sauce, b

Food Dec. 27, 2013

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) ― This Mississippi River city is proud of its barbecue, its fried chicken, its soul food. But the food scene here is often stereotyped because of it. Those foods are what tourists typically obsess over, standing in line at Central BBQ for smoky ribs or Gus’s Fried Chicken for juicy drumsticks. When told that there’s a place in Memphis that makes standout Korean food like soups and noodle dishes with meat and seafood, some may scoff. But Crazy Noodle is real, and it might

Food Dec. 27, 2013

Oakwood Premier Coex CenterServiced Residence/World Wide/Oakwood Premier COEX CenterThe Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul aims to upgrade its sophistication and luxury with the extensive renovation of its apartments. The serviced residence has undertaken a renovation project 11 years after opening. With the first phase just completed, giving a fresh look to the rooms, the second phase is expected to finish by April 2014 and will transform the overall ambience of the residence from classic to chi

Travel Dec. 26, 2013