2011.11.24 MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

MY WAY: JEAN-MICHEL OTHONIEL SOLO SHOW

Plateau, Jung District

To Sunday: This retrospective of French contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel shows 60 of the artist’s works.

Othoniel is known for his glass works, including a permanent installation at the Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre metro station in Paris that he designed in 2000 for the metro’s centenary.

The show includes two glass sculptures that look like giant beaded necklaces or strands of DNA with symbolic names: “Lacan’s Knot” and “The Great Double Lacan’s Knot.” The names echo psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan’s reference to the Borromean ring, “three connecting rings that completely dismantle if any one of them is severed” and explain “the interrelationship of the real, symbolic and imaginary orders steeped within human desire,” Plateau said.

Admission is 5,000 won ($4.50). The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.
City Hall Station, lines No. 1 or 2, exit 8
1577-7595, www.plateau.or.kr

ART OF COMMUNICATION

Deoksugung Annex of the National Museum of Art, Jung District

To Dec. 4: This exhibition features the works of four internationally renowned artists: Philippe Parreno, Anri Sala, Ham Yang-ah and Jorge Pardo.

Ranging from video, installation and multimedia art, the works “demonstrate the artists’ interest in translating into art elements of their everyday lives, their social surroundings and the communication between individuals and societies,” the museum said.

Cuban artist Pardo’s “Bulgogi” is a circular drawing room filled with furniture and decorations that he feels are Korean, based on his contact with the Korean community in Los Angeles. Ironically, this work does not feel very Korean to Koreans.

Admission is 5,000 won.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays and until 9 p.m. Fridays to Sundays.
City Hall Station, line No. 1 or 2, exit 1 or 2
(02) 2188-6114, www.moca.go.kr

COURT PAINTERS OF THE JOSEON DYNASTY

Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Hannam-dong

To Jan. 29: This exhibition features about 110 paintings by hwawon, or court painters, who were responsible for producing paintings for the state as employees of Dohwaseo, the state bureau of painting in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). According to Leeum, it is the first exhibition dedicated to the hwawon, who had a low social status despite their role and the popularity of their work.

The first section features paintings that hwawon created for the court and royal household.

The highlight of the section is “Royal Palanquin Procession,” a nearly 10-meter-long painting depicting a procession of King Gojong and his family in the late 19th century.

The second section features paintings created by hwawon for private patrons, including noblemen and wealthy aristocrats. The section includes paintings of Taoist immortals by Kim Hong-do (1745-after 1806), regarded as one of the greatest masters in Korean art.

Admission is 7,000 won. Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 1
(02) 2014-6900, www.leeum.org

COUNTDOWN

Cultural Station Seoul 284, Dongja-dong

To Feb. 11, 2012: This exhibition celebrates the rebirth of a landmark train station in downtown Seoul as an integrated art and cultural space.

About 20 artists ranging from renowned installation artist Lee Bul to the emerging sculptor Ham Jin exhibit at the new space, Cultural Station Seoul 284.

Works by new artists will be added every month until Feb. 11, the official opening of the center, which is expected to host a variety of cultural events.

Old Seoul Station has been closed since 2004, when a new high-speed railway station was built, but it has since been renovated as a multipurpose space.

A performance by artist Yeesockyung, traditional dancer Lee Jeong-hwa and others will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1.

Admission is free.
Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays and to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Seoul Station, line No. 1 or 4, exit 2
www.seoulstation.org

*Information is culled from the galleries and other online sources.