2009. 3.12 Event Calendar
SSAMZIE SPACETo Sunday: “Hong Soun: Sidescape.” With edgy and disturbing scenes taken from war-ravaged lands where attacks are an everyday occurrence as familiar as a glass of milk, Hong attempts to create a picture of what it’s like to live on the other side of the fence.
Hong’s oil paintings are of rocks, mountains shorelines and trees. The images are taken from print media, postcards and advertisements. Many of his pictures appear disturbing, yet the threatening essence holds the attention of viewers. There is an appalling frankness in his works that tears at the definition of beauty.
One refreshing aspect of his work is his refusal to use images of pop stars or models. Images appear ambiguous for a reason, leaving the viewers to make up their own minds.
Hongik University Station, line No. 2, exit 5
(02) 3142-1693
KUKJE GALLERY, SPACE 1
To March 29: “Wandering.” An exhibition of new paintings by well-known contemporary Japanese artist Hideaki Kawashima is currently being held here.
As an artist, Kawashima pursues an intuitive process, allowing himself to paint directly on the canvas without any planning, and finishing only when the image seems naturally complete. Thus, “Wandering” can be seen as a reflection of the artist’s philosophy about his artistic process.
Kawashima’s paintings consist of variations on a single feminine ghost-like face with exaggerated eyes and no body, floating against a plain background. At first view, his subject matter may seem to reflect contemporary Japanese pop culture images of stylized feminine beauty as found in anime characters.
But his work is distinct; he does not appropriate iconographic elements.
He has created his own personal vocabulary drawn from his inner world, and if we look deeper, the pale faces and expressive eyes of his subjects may begin to remind us of the makeup worn by actors in Japanese Kabuki theater and many elements of traditional Buddhist painting also become evident in his technique and style.
The exhibition is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1
(02) 733-8449, www.kukje.org
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
To Sunday: “Madama Butterfly.” Following the Seoul Metropolitan Opera’s recent performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” in Italy on Dec. 19 and 20, which resulted in 10 curtain calls plus a five-minute standing ovation at the Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, the Trieste Verdi Theater company will come to Korea to repay the compliment.
This year, the Trieste Verdi Theater will present their production of “Madama Butterfly” in Seoul. As Conductor Lorenzo Fratini said, “Trieste Verdi Theater will continue the sensation of the performance at the Trieste Verdi Theater by the Seoul Metropolitan Opera.
It will be interesting because if La Traviata by the Seoul Metropolitan Opera expresses a love for Westerners by those in the East, Madama Butterfly expresses a love for the East, in the eyes of Westerners.” Tickets range from 30,000 won ($20.40) to 250,000 won.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 399-1783, www.sejongpac.or.kr
SM ART HALL
To April 5: “The Island.” Based on a true story, “The Island” was created by co-authors Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona in 1974. The play is a narrative about apartheid-era race relations in South Africa, where inmates are struggling for survival in a prison on the infamous Robben Island.
It was recently recreated as a futuristic drama with themes reflecting freedom of speech and assembly. The inmates are forced to lodge in a Big Brother-like prison, monitored by high-tech cameras.
This powerful play first made an appearance in Korea in 1977. It was directed by Yun Ho-jin and was very “rough” in nature due to Korean life in the 1970s being more about survival than anything else.
The new version of the play has been described as a “softer version” of the original.
Tickets range price from 25,000 won to 35,000 won. Olympic Park Stadium, line No. 5
(020) 764-8760, www.interpark.co.kr
SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Friday to Saturday: “Matthias Goerne Concert.” The authentically traditional German vocalist Matthias Goerne has received worldwide praise for his warm, fluid baritone and his profound artistry. The rising star in the field of vocal music gained worldwide attention for his 2004 recording of Schubert’s challenging “Winterreise (Winter Journey)”
His performance in Korea will signal the beginning of the 2009 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Invitational Festival of Famous Vocalists.
The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 399-1114, www.sejongpac.or.kr
SEOUL ARTS CENTER CONCERT HALL
Saturday: “Yuhki Kuramoto White Day Concert: Romance.” After you hear Yuhki Kuramoto, it’s difficult not to fall in love with his music and become a romantic yourself.
Kuramoto is a Japanese pianist and composer who writes primarily for the piano, though orchestral arrangements for some of his pieces exist. He studied piano from an early age, exhibiting a great degree of talent. He studied Rachmaninoff extensively and performed as a part-time soloist in orchestras, earning a reputation from a young age as classical pianist with great potential.
The pianist later concentrated on performance, composition and arrangement of classical and pop music. As a professional musician, his interests are quite expansive, crossing genres from classical to folk songs and pop.
Showing off his skills in the concert, Kuramoto will play many romantic songs such as “Endless Love,” “Meditation,” “Sonnet of Fountain,” “Invitation to Sweet Dream” and others.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
The concert begins at 2:30 and 8 p.m.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
1577-5266, www.clubbalcony.com
SEOUL ARTS CENTER CONCERT HALL
Sunday: “Prenatal Care Concert with Nanse Gum.” The Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra is giving a concert for pregnant women and their unborn children with famous Korean conductor Nanse Gum.
A forceful and dynamic conductor, Gum’s love and understanding for music has made him one of the most respected individuals in his field. Since 1999 Gum has been primarily engaged in the activities of the Euro-Asian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Under his dynamic leadership, the orchestra has rapidly gained prominence through innovative educational programs that appeal to music lovers of all ages.
Under the banner of “a venture orchestra,” the EAPO holds concerts more than 100 times a year in search of a variety of stages and meaningful programs.
The program for this concert includes Mozart’s Serenade in G Major and Concerto for Flute and Orchestra in D Major and Haydn’s Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp Minor.
The concert begins at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 780-5054, www.stageone.co.kr
KOREA BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Today
Daegu Orions vs. LG Sakers
Daegu, 7 p.m.
Samsung Thunders vs. KTF Magic Wings
Jamsil, 7 p.m.
Tomorrow
Dongbu Promy vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Wonju Chiak, 7 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. KT&G Kites
Ulsan Dongchun, 7 p.m.
Saturday
LG Sakers vs. SK Knights
Changwon, 3 p.m.
Samsung Thunders vs. Daegu Orions
Jamsil, 3 p.m.
KTF Magic Wings vs. KCC Egis
Busan, 3 p.m.
Sunday
SK Knights vs. Dongbu Promy
Jamsil Students’ Gym, 3 p.m.
Daegu Orions vs. Mobis Phoebus
Daegu, 5 p.m.
KCC Egis vs. KT&G Kites
Jeonju, 3 p.m.
ET Land Black Slamer vs. Samsung Thunders
Incheon Samsan, 3 p.m.
Tuesday
KTF Magic Wings vs. ET Land Black Slamer
Busan, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
KCC Egis vs. Daegu Orions
Jeonju, 7 p.m.
Mobis Phoebus vs. SK Knights
Ulsan Dongchun, 7 p.m.
www.kbl.or.kr
KOREAN VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION V-LEAGUE
Today
Korean Air Jumbos vs. Sangmu Kafac
Incheon Dowon City Gym, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Suwon Kepco 45 vs. Korean Air Jumbos
Suwon Gym, 3 p.m.
Sunday
LIG Greaters vs. Sangmu Kafac
Gumi Park Jung Hee Gym, 2 p.m.
Daejeon Samsung Blue Fangs vs. Hyundai Skywalkers
Daejeon Chungmu Gym, 2:10 p.m.
Tuesday
Suwon Kepco 45 vs. Sangmu Kafac
Suwon Gym, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Korean Air Jumbos vs. Daejeon Samsung Blue Fangs
Incheon Dowon City Gym, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Hyundai Skywalkers vs. LIG Greaters
Cheonan Yoo Gwan Soon Gym, 7 p.m.
www.kovo.co.kr
JAPANESE APRICOT FESTIVAL, South Jeolla
Saturday to March 22: Various performances will be held for a week in the southern village of Daapmyeon in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province.
Wine and foods made from apricots will be displayed and sold amid the beautiful scenery of the coastal village.
Maehwa Village (named after the Japanese apricot in Korea) located in Gwangyang is covered with Japanese ume flowers in full bloom.
Tourists flock to Maehwa Village from early March to April when ume flowers begin to bloom on hundreds of trees around the village.
Since 1997, the festival has been held to introduce foods and foster sales. One can also enjoy Seomjin Ferry, traditional earthenware at Cheongmaesil Farm and a riverside drive along the beautiful Seomjin River.
From Seoul, take a bus to Gwangyang.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3.
(061) 797-2721, www.gwangyang.go.kr
GURYE SANSUYU FESITVAL, South Jeolla
March 19 to 22: With March comes the arrival of spring in Korea, and at this time the sansuyu, a type of yellow flower or Japanese dogwood, is in full bloom in Gurye County, South Jeolla.
Visitors arriving in the festival center of Sangwi village will be greeted by the truly spectacular sight of a riot of yellow blossoms that spread on to the surrounding foot slopes of Mount Jiri.
Sansuyu flowers are made into tea, alcohol, and food, all of which can be sampled at the festival.
There are also a wide variety of performances and other forms of entertainment, including fireworks displays.
A host of popular tourist attractions are also located near the festival grounds, such as the Jirisan Hot Springs resort, a great place to unwind and relax.
From Seoul, take an express bus for Gurye Terminal. From the terminal, take a county bus towards San-dong and get off at Sangwi village.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3
(061) 780-2390,
www.gurye.go.kr/festival
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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