2008. 7.31 Event Calendar
Published: 30 Jul. 2008, 20:29
To Aug. 14: “Irony and Gesture: An Exhibition of Contemporary British Art.”
The Kukje Gallery in central Seoul is holding a major exhibition of contemporary British art in its main space. Featuring the work of 11 prominent artists, this expansive summer show brings a splash of British tongue-in-cheek humor to Seoul.
From the “father of British Pop Art” Richard Hamilton’s works some critics think he created the world’s first work of Pop Art to designer Sam Buxton’s mind-boggling acid-etched micro-sculptures, this exhibition takes viewers into the multi-faceted world of British art.
Other participating artists include Charles Avery, David Batchelor, David Mach, David Shringly, Simon Patterson, Sarah Pickstone, Gary Webb, Richard Woods and Yinka Shonibare.
The works are characterized by their strong personal vision and artistic practice, and by their strong understanding and exploration of the world around them. It is this understanding, or striving for understanding, that imparts a clearer understanding of the gap that imparts irony to their work.
The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1; Gyeongbokgung Station, line No. 3, exit 5; Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 2
(02) 733-8449, www.kukjegallery.com
SEOUL MUSEUM OF ART
To Aug. 23: “Your Mind’s Eye: Digital Spectrum.”
This exhibition presents diverse aspects of Optical Art since the 1960s from a new perspective of contemporary media environments.
Under the themes of “Seeing” and “Visual Perception,” the exhibition is designed to allow viewers to participate in visual perception activities, experience art as amusement or pleasure and provide an opportunity to expand the breadth of their scientific and philosophical thinking.
In this show, participating artists bring about fantastic spaces by using techniques for exploring and exploiting the fallibility of the eye.
Viewers can experience an amazing world beyond the limits of visual perception.
The museum opens at 10 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday, closing at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Admission is 300 won ($0.30) to 700 won.
City Hall Station, line No. 1, exit 1, line No. 2, exit 11, 12; Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 5; Seodaemun Station, line No. 5, exit 5
(02) 2124-8800, www.seoulmoa.org
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART, Deoksu Palace
To Nov 9: “Masters of the 20th Century: Latin American Art.” The National Museum of Art located at Deoksu Palace in central Seoul is giving people the chance to see masterpieces by some of the greatest artists of Latin and Central America, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The exhibit will showcase about 120 pieces by 84 artists from 16 Latin and Central American nations.
The exhibit expresses the tension and scars of 20th-century Latin and Central American history. The art also shows the tension and harmonization of modernism and tradition.
Admission is 10,000 won (including admission to Deoksu Palace), and 9,000 won (without admission to Deoksu Palace).
City Hall Station, line No. 1, exit 2 or line No. 2, exit 12
(02) 779-5310, http://deoksugung.moca.go.kr
WONDERSPACE
To Aug. 8: “The Old Thief.” This play was discovered by a company that searches for interesting unknown plays. It opened early this year and has quickly become one of the most popular plays going around these days.
The play is about two old thieves who are just about to rob an art gallery. The two men have spent more years behind bars than in society and have nowhere to go and nothing to eat. The drama starts when they happen to break into an art gallery. Although there are a number of valuable art masterpieces, the two are only interested in cracking the safe. While they reminisce about their lives and wait to break the safe, they are caught by a guard dog. As the two old thieves attempt to make their way out of the unfortunate situation, a hilarious scene ensues.
Tickets cost 35,000 won.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 3 and 6 p.m. on weekends.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 1
(02) 766-6007, www.interpark.co.kr
LG ART CENTER
Aug. 12 to Sept. 23: “Man of La Mancha.” The famous story of “Don Quixote” has been made into many forms of art, and now the musical version comes to Seoul.
A man living in La Mancha, Spain, has read so many knight stories that he now thinks he is Don Quixote himself, and forces an inn owner to dub him a knight. Everyone thinks he’s crazy except Aldonza, who falls in love with him. But when she is beaten up by Don Quixote’s servants, she is forced to confess that she is really a prostitute, and not the woman of higher standing she made herself out to be. Upon hearing this shocking revelation, Don Quixote all of a sudden looks in the mirror and sees someone who is not Don Quixote, but just an ordinary old man.
He must now try to carve out a new life and find his true identity.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won.
The musical is shown at 8 p.m. on weekdays, 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 and 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
(02) 1588-5212, www.lamancha.co.kr
JAMSIL SPORTS COMPLEX
Aug. 7: “Alicia Keys, As I Am Tour 2008.” Alicia Keys, the gifted R&B singer/songwriter who has received 11 Grammys, is coming to Seoul to give one of the summer’s biggest concerts here, with the theme of “Love”.
The American star has broken many records since her debut album “Songs in A Minor,” a worldwide success that sold nearly 11 million copies. Her past singles include “Falling,” “If I Ain’t Got You” and “No One”. Her fourth album released in 2007, “As I Am”, sold 5 million copies in its first week.
Her soul and passion clearly comes across from her albums and also from her captivating performances. The band, dancers, stylists and the staging will combine to deliver an impressive show.
Korean star Tae-yang from the group Big Bang will also perform at the concert.
Tickets range from 100,000 won to 200,000 won.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Jamsil Sports Complex Station, line No. 2, exit 6
(02) 722-6504, www.interpark.co.kr
APGUJEONG YE HALL
Aug. 8: “Soul Company, Show Me the Hip-hop.” Soul Company, the management company of some of the biggest hip-hop artists in Korea, is organizing a concert for hip-hop fans here.
Soul Company’s artists already have a great fan base and the company’s reputation for identifying talent continues to grow among the public.
Artists from Soul Company such as Kebee, the company’s representative, will be performing at the concert next weekend in southern Seoul. He will be joined by The Quiett, Loptimist, Makesense, Rhyme-A-, Hwa-na, D.C, Planet Black, Mad Clown and D.J. Wegun, who will all be showing off their skills.
Unlike some other venues, the Ye Hall provides a great atmosphere for the audience to be a part of the complete concert experience.
Tickets cost 20,000 won.
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Apgujeong Station, line No. 3, exit 2
(02) 541-8367, www.yehall.com
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Aug. 23: “Ronn Branton Summer Night Jazz.” American jazz pianist Ronn Branton will be performing in Seoul later next month for a concert that has been described as “Jazz meets K-pop.”
Since 2001, Branton has regularly been perform ing in Korea with his unique arrangements of K-pop songs retuned into jazz pieces. Branton has previously played famous Korean hits such as “Hometown Station,” “Oh, Don’t Change” and “At the fFower Garden.” For this year’s concert, he will be playing some of his personal favorites, such as “The Fly,” “Soyang River Woman” and “Flowerbed.”
With the piano and accompanying saxophone, he has made K-pop more delicate. Listening to K-pop as another form of music will help listeners unlock the passion and beauty of music.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 40,000 won.
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
City Hall Station, lines No.1 and 2, exit 3
(02) 1544-1555, www.interpark.co.kr
KOREAN BASEBALL ORGANIZATION
Today
Doosan Bears vs. Lotte Giants
Jamsil, 6:30 p.m.
Woori Heroes vs. Hanwha Eagles
Mokdong, 6:30 p.m.
Samsung Lions vs. SK Wyverns
Daegu, 6:30 p.m.
Kia Tigers vs. LG Twins
Gwangju, 6:30 p.m.
www.koreabaseball.or.kr
2008 ASIA LATIN CULTURE FESTIVAL
Friday to Saturday: World-class salsa dancers are coming to Seoul to compete for a 20 million won prize at Olympic Park in eastern Seoul this weekend as part of the 2008 Asia Latin Culture Festival and Korea Salsa Congress.
Some of the well-known dancers who will be competing this year include Roi and Talia of Spain, Ana and Joel and Ryan and Eric of the United States and former winners of the Puerto Rico salsa championship, Adrian and Anita. Magna Gopal, one of the most requested dancers by Korean salsa fans, finally comes to Korea this year. Ricardo and Viviana, who introduced Colombian-style salsa to the world, will also feature in the competition. In addition to the international stars, Korean salsa dancing teams will compete and a highlight of the festival will be the performance of the Latin band Orquesta de la Luz.
The couples competition will take place on Friday with the group competition on Saturday.
All participants will perform two- to three-minute pieces.
More than 30,000 people are expected to either participate or watch the festival. There will also be workshops and dance parties as part of the event.
Olympic Park Station, Line No. 5, exit 3
Mongchontoseong Station, line No. 8, exit 1
(02) 541-3175, www.asialatinfestival.com
HANGANG LEPORTS FESTIVAL
Aug. 9 to 10: The sixth Hi Seoul Festival has been made into four separate festivals in 2008, to represent each season.
As part of the summer-themed festival, the Hangang Leports Festival will take place at Ttukseom Park in Gwangjin, eastern Seoul next weekend. The event involves both leisure sports and cultural events along the Han River.
There will be many fun summer sports events to participate in, such as a water gun survival fight, swimming in the mini-pool and rafting. Participants also can enjoy a musical and rock concert, a gala show, an ice-Nanta show and fashion shows.
The event runs from 1 to 10 p.m. at the Ttukseom Resort Park.
Ttukseom Station, line No. 7, exit 2 or 3
(02) 7774-1119, www.hiseoulfest.org
KINTEX BEER ROCK HALL
Aug. 15 to 17: “Beer Rock Festival.” After two years of preparation, Korea’s will have its own beer festival. Hoping to rival Oktoberfest, the Qingdao Beer Festival and Sapporo Beer Festival, Korea’s Beer Rock Festival plans to be a beer festival to satisfy the cultural desires of 20-somethings and an opportunity for those in their 40s and 50s to reminisce.
The festival will take place at the Kintex venue in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, which will be transformed into the largest beer hall in the world. To keep participants entertained, top musicians and comedians will perform for nine hours straight.
Tickets cost 20,000 won.
The festival will begin at 3 p.m. and end around midnight.
Daehwa Station, line No. 3, exit 2
(02) 738-2340, www.interpark.co.kr
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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