2011.12.8 MUSEUMS&GALLERIES

OPEN MIND

Sungkok Art Museum, Sinmunno

To Dec. 25: This rare exhibition of jewelry design could help redefine the art by demonstrating that jewelry is not always made of gold, silver or precious stones, but can be a form of portable art and a means of communication that goes beyond decoration.

The exhibition features more than 300 pieces of jewelry by 64 artists from 18 countries. Most of the pieces on display shatter our notions about the materials used to make jewelry or the body parts around which it can be worn.

One definitive example is the “Wearable Object” by Dutch artist Lam de Wolf. The work covers the body of the wearer from the neck to below the knees and consists of a group of square wooden frames covered with textiles of various colors.

Admission is 3,000 won ($2.60) for adults. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed Mondays.
Go to Gyeongbok Palace Station, line No. 3, exit 7, and walk for 10 minutes.
(02) 737-7650, www.sungkokmuseum.com

THE MASTERS

Opera Gallery, Cheongdam-dong

To Dec. 31: The Paris-based Opera Gallery showcases 40 works by a galaxy of modern art masters including the French Impressionist Claude Monet, the Spanish Cubist Pablo Picasso and U.S. pop artist Andy Warhol, to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the launch of its satellite gallery in Seoul.

Other famous artists with works in the show are French Fauvist Henri Matisse, Russian-French artist Marc Chagall, Spanish Surrealist Joan Miro and American Pop Artist Tom Wasselman.

Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.
Go to Cheongdam Station, line No. 7, exit 9, and walk for 10 minutes.
(02) 3446-0070, www.operagallery.com

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 roles in the court.

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 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 1
(02) 2014-6900, www.leeum.org

TELL ME TELL ME

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Gwacheon

To Feb. 19: This show arrives in Korea after having opened in a Sydney suburb this summer.

The collaboration between Korea’s National Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Sydney features 130 artworks from both museums’ collections, highlighting the historical and ongoing connections between Australian and Korean art.

According to the museums, the show was inspired by Korean-born video art pioneer Paik Nam-june’s 1976 visit to Sydney and the 1976 Sydney Biennale, in which some Korean artists, including minimalist Lee Ufan, participated.

The exhibition includes Paik’s video work “Zen for TV” from MOCA. Also on display is Lee’s “Situation,” an installation of stone and electric light that evokes Zen philosophy.

The work was presented at the 1976 Sydney Biennale and is now part of the collection at Australia’s Mildura Arts Center Regional Gallery.

Admission is 5,000 won for adults. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Go to Seoul Grand Park Station, line No. 4, exit 4, and take the shuttle bus.
(02) 2188-6114, www.moca.go.kr

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