2008. 12. 11 Event Calendar
NAM JUNE PAIK ART CENTERTo Feb. 5: ”Now Jump - An Exhibition of International and Korean Artists.” “Now Jump,” the festival’s title, originates from Aesop’s Fables.
The festival is an appeal to exceed past achievements, and also a call to action. Now Jump also represents the gallery’s hope to leap into the future, through the concept of simultaneously encompassing a state of stillness and of motion or anticipation of motion.
In everyday life, such experiences can be felt at places like stations where trains or buses regularly stop. In Now Jump, stations exist as concurrent initiatives: exhibitions, performances and platforms to establish discourse.
The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
(031) 201-8500,www.njpartcenter.kr
ARKO ART CENTER
To Feb. 8: “Two Handbags in a Pickle - Solo Exhibition of John Bock.” The Arko Art Center is introducing the first solo exhibition in Asia of John Bock.
The exhibition’s title, “Two Handbags in a Pickle” refers to two microcosms that are situated on another level of the universe. The two elements formulate an absolute, abstract symmetry, but never imply relative values like good and evil, prior and post.
Bock sees the two elements as generating energy in a series of mutual interplays between the variations.
The metaphor of two handbags is repeated and expanded from the external level between two institutions, through the internal level within the museum between the two gallery spaces, to another internal level inside of his own works between object and performance, performance and video and video and installation.
The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday.
Daehangno Station, line No. 4, exit 3
(02) 760-4780, www.arkoartcenter.or.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER FREE SMALL THEATER
Tuesday to Dec. 31: “Mothers and Tigers.” Korea’s Stageship Theater is collaborating with American playwright Will Kern to stage an original play.
Living in Korea has provided Kern an opportunity to observe and write about interesting female characters who live in a still-largely patriarchal society. Translated into Korean for local audiences, “Mothers and Tigers” tells the story of four talkative ajumma (middle-aged women).
In the front yard of the Min family home, the daughters-in-law are all gathered with sleeves rolled up for the annual pre-winter kimchi making.
The eldest daughter-in-law, in her mid-50s, has just enrolled in university, determined to chase a new goal in life, while the others have unique personalities and a host of concerns of their own.
Rather than being a tearjerker, the play instead offers a glimpse of the common, yet touching and often hilarious stories of Korean ajumma, in the natural setting of kimjang (kimchi-making).
Tickets cost 25,000 won for all seats.
The show is staged at 8 p.m. on weekdays (except Mondays), 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 747-1010, www.sac.or.kr
HAKCHON BLUE SMALL THEATER
Friday to 31: “Il Corvo (A Crow).” Hwadong Yeonwoo Theater is presenting its 18th regular performance with the Italian play “Il Corvo (A Crow).”
Il Corvo is the work of Carlo Gozzi, the legendary 18th-century Italian playwright known for such works as “Turandot” and “The Love of Three Oranges.”
The performance of Il Corvo, the first time the play has been staged in Korea, is expected to showcase Gozzi’s unique mythical fantasy in the Commedia dell’Arte (the comedy of artists) format.
Written and presented in a modern style, the newly interpreted classic play will include an array of music ranging from rock and pop to electronic music.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 30,000 won.
The show is staged at 8 p.m. on weekdays, 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2
(02) 763-8233, www.hakcon.co.kr
UNIVERSAL ART CENTER
Dec. 18 to 31: “Universal Ballet’s The Nutcracker.” With the cold weather and snow upon us, we are well and truly reminded that the Christmas season has arrived. And, at Christmas, one of the best-loved performances enjoyed by everyone from young to old is “The Nutcracker.”
This year, the Universal Ballet Company, regarded as one of the best troupes in Korea, will perform the festive favorite of the season.
The performance features fantastic fairy tale-like costumes with dances attributed to outstanding choreographers Marius Petipa, Vasily Vainonen and Oleg Vinogradov, rounded off by Tchaikovsky’s beloved, timeless classic pieces.
The story begins at the Stahlbaum house on Christmas Eve where the family is gathered. The children, Fritz and Clara, are excited and invite their friends to play and dance.
As the party gets going, Fritz and Clara’s godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives and presents two life-size dancing dolls as gifts to Fritz and Clara.
When Clara opens her presents, she finds a beautiful nutcracker. Jealous, Fritz grabs the nutcracker and breaks it. Clara is heartbroken and Drosselmeyer tries to repair the nutcracker.
When the guests depart and everyone goes to bed, Clara, worried about her nutcracker, sneaks back to the large Christmas tree to check on her gift just as strange things begin to happen.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 100,000 won.
The show is staged at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays (except for Mondays), 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. Additional performances will be staged Dec. 24 to 31.
Achasan Station, line No. 5, exit 4
(070) 7124-1737, www.universalballet.com
SEJONG ART CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, CHAMBER HALL
Today: “Bach Mozart Project - Opus 5.” Opus 5, the group formed to promote and further the cause of chamber music, will begin its latest project with a performance of Bach and Mozart concertos.
Bucking the stereotype that the concertos must be played in large concert halls, Opus 5 will play the rearranged concertos in a more intimate chamber music setting and style.
Last year Opus 5 gave classical music fans the concert “Re-discovering the greatness of Beethoven,” in which the chamber group rearranged Beethoven concerto pieces, to a warm reception from audiences.
Opus 5 is composed of some of Korea’s best soloists such as Kookmin University professor and pianist Yoon Cheol-hee.
He will be joined by violinists Dennis Kim of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Bae Sang-eun of the Hwaum Chamber Orchestra, plus two new members - violist Kim Sang-jin of Yonsei University and cellist Woo Ji-yeon.
The program will feature Bach’s “Piano Concerto in F minor” and “Piano Concerto in D minor” and Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major” and “Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor.”
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 780-5054, www.stageone.co.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER CONCERT HALL
Sunday: “Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela.” One of world’s most exciting orchestras is visiting Korea this weekend - the first time that both the conductor and orchestra have performed here.
Gustavo Dudamel, also a Venezuelan native, is regarded as a gifted conductor who has worked with orchestras around the world.
The rising, 27-year-old conductor received the Gustav Mahler Conducting Prize in Germany in 2004, and was described by Simon Rattle as “the most astonishingly gifted conductor I have ever come across.”
The 200-member Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela is composed of the some of the best musicians from all over the world, and are set to play a lineup which includes “Somewhere (Adagio)” by Vivace Leggiero and Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1 in D Major.”
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 160,000 won.
The concert begins at 2 p.m.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02)751-9606, www.credia.co.kr
MELON AX HALL
Saturday: “Extreme - Live in Korea.” Extreme, a popular American rock band from the 1990s, will visit Korea to hold their first concert in Seoul.
Extreme rose to fame after one of their songs was featured in the film “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
But the hard rock band took a new turn with the release of their hit album, “Extreme II: Pornograffiti,” which contained the smash-hit ’90s anthem “More Than Words.”
After the release of their less successful third album, “Waiting for the Punchline,” in 1995, the group broke up. They reunited after 12 years and released the new album, “Saudades de Rock,” this past summer.
Extreme members include guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, the charismatic vocalist Gary Cherone who also had a stint in the late ’90s with hard rock band Van Halen, bassist Pat Badger and drummer Kevin Figueire.
Billed as “a revival of the U.S. rock scene,” Extreme’s music ranges from hard rock to funk metal and heavy metal.
Tickets cost 88,000 won.
The concert begins at 7 p.m.
Gwangnaru Station, line No. 5, exit 2
(02)3444-9969, www.yellownine.co.kr
KOREA BASEBALL ORGANIZATION
Today
Daegu Orions vs. Mobis Phoebus
Daegu, 7 p.m.
KT&G Kites vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Anyang, 7 p.m.
Tomorrow
Dongbu Promy vs. SK Knights
Wonju Chiak, 7 p.m.
KTF Magic Wings vs. Samsung Thunders
Busan Sajik, 7 p.m.
Saturday
KT&G Kites vs. LG Sakers
Anyang, 3 p.m.
ET Land Black Slamer vs. Mobis Phoebus
Incheon Saman, 3 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. Daegu Orions
Jeonju, 3 p.m.
Sunday
KTF Magic Wings vs. SK Knights
Busan Sajik, 3 p.m.
Dongbu Promy vs. LG Sakers
Wonju Chiak, 3 p.m.
Samsung Thunders vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Jamsil, 5 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. Mobis Phoebus
Jeonju, 3 p.m.
Tuesday
Dongbu Promy vs. Samsung Thunders
Wonju Chiak, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr
SEOUL INTERNATIONAL PHOTO FESTIVAL 2008, Seoul Station
Saturday to Jan. 15: The Photographic Culture Forum is holding its second Seoul International Photo Festival beginning this weekend.
Public awareness about photography has grown considerably in tune with the development of Internet culture and the popularization of digital cameras.
The public desire for art photography is stronger than ever. Thus, PCF hopes to use the expansion of photographic culture as an opportunity for qualitative development.
The festival is held for anyone interested in photography to learn more about the art through the exhibitions of talented contemporary photographers. Through a variety of events, participants can also experience various cultural activities associated with photography.
The exhibition will be held at the old Seoul Station building in central Seoul and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission costs 8,000 won for adults, 6,000 won for high school and middle school students and 4,000 won for elementary school students.
Seoul Station, lines No. 1 and 4, exit 2
(02) 2269-2613, www.sipf.net
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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