Common sense rules at craft show

“Not just new, but necessary” is the practical-minded theme of the seventh Cheongju International Craft Biennale, which opened yesterday for its 40-day run in north Chungcheong.

Visitors to the Cheongju Cultural Industry Complex can attend exhibitions and get hands-on experiences of making silver rings, custom-designed soap and traditional Korean handicrafts.

The biennale reviews the history of world handicrafts and how these industries can balance technological and sustainable development.

The main exhibition, “The Craft is an Organ,” records the evolution of scores of crafts including stained glass, wallpaper, tapestries and chairs. On Saturday, experts will discuss the future of the industry at a forum.

“We would expect to see the creation of a synergistic and higher-value-added market when Korean crafts combine with cutting-edge technology,” said Choi Joong-kyung of Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy yesterday. Minister Choi pledged to support the industry.

*The Cheongju International Craft Biennale runs until Oct. 30 in North Choongcheong. For more details, call (043) 277-2501 or go to www.jeongjubiennale.or.kr.

By Lee Sun-min [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]