Children, holidays and artistic diversions near Seoul

Christmas always has been a holiday for children. Performances, exhibitions and workshops are lined up for the kids who have been good or bad this year.

The Little Dragon
Now showing at the LATT Children’s Theater
(02) 540-3856, www.lattct.com
The Little Dragon is a performance of a clear and simple story told with words, music, dance and puppetry. A baby dragon who falls from the stars leads kids from outer space to a cave, to a forest, to the sea and finally, the city. The performance is in English. Tickets are 30,000 won ($25).

Doggy Poo
Dec. 26 to 28 at the Small Performance Hall of Gyeonggi-do Art Center
(031) 230-3242, www.kyculture.or.kr
Ugh, gross? The play “Doggy Poo” is an educational story inspiring children to value themselves with pride and hope. People keep away from and despise the product of a dog’s digestive tract. Deserted Doggy Poo has hardly any friends and even a little sparrow and clods of soil look down on him. After having spent a long, chilling winter all alone, he comes across a dandelion and talks about his envy of the dandelion’s ability to create pretty flowers. Nevertheless, the dandelion makes him realize the true value of being himself, serving as manure to make a dandelion turn into a flower. Tickets are 10,000 won to 15,000 won.

Pyoahm Kang Se-hwang Exhibition and Workshop for Kids
Dec. 27 to Feb. 29 at Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum. Workshop: every Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (Reservations are necessary) (02) 580-1511, www.oksusu.co.kr
Pyoahm Kang Se-hwang was a master calligrapher of the 18th century, experimenting with seal characters and the simplified square-style calligraphy. He adopted Western techniques to Korean calligraphy. After viewing his 90 monumental works, kids aged 6 to 9 can participate in a workshop where which they will receive instruction in calligraphy and in making rubbings. Admission is 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 won for children age 17 and under. The workshop costs an additional 2,000 won.
Kim Young-hee Korean Paper Arts Exhibition
To Jan. 25 at Gallery Hyundai. (Closed on Mondays) (02) 734-6111, www.galleryhyundai.com
The Germany-based Korean paper artist Kim Young-hee is in town for an exhibition. Using Korean paper, Kim’s works describe ordinary lives of Koreans. For every work showcased at the exhibition, there is an explanation for kids on how to appreciate the work, written by the artist. On Jan.17, Kim will lecture on how to work with Korean paper. Tickets are 3,000 won for adults and 2,000 for those under 17.

Artists Are Magicians
To Jan.18 at Gallery Artside
(02) 725-1020, www.artside.net
With no difficult terminology, the exhibition “Artists Are Magicians” exposes children to the post-modernist world. From the viewpoint of children, this exhibition suggests that post-modernist art of any media are the work of magicians. Admission for all ages is 2,000 won.

Rodin Sculpture Exhibition
To Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Rodin Gallery (Closed on Monday)
(02) 2259-7789, www.rodingallery.org
The eighth gallery in the world to specialize in the works of Auguste Rodin, Rodin Gallery features his bronzes and drawings this winter. “The Gates of Hell” sculpture, which is generally considered to be his masterpiece, and works such as “The Kiss,” “The Thinker” and “The Burghers of Calais” are being exhibited. There is a free lecture on Rodin at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is 4,000 won for adults and 2,000 won for persons under 17.

Exploration of Light and Color
From Dec. 24 to Feb.15 at Hangaram Art Museum of Seoul Art Center. (02) 580-1300, www.sac.or.kr
On exhibit are 120 diverse works of 47 artists. Admission is 3,000 won for adults and 2,000 won for those under 17.

by Kim Hae-young