2012.1.5 MUSEUMS&GALLERIES

CITY WITHIN THE CITY

Artsonje Center, Sogyeok-dong

To Jan. 15: A collaboration between the gallery and the Gertrude Contemporary in Melbourne, Australia, the exhibition focuses on urbanism - something all industrialized countries share.

The countries represented among the 17 participating teams of artists include Mexico, Lebanon, Korea and Australia.

One of the most enticing works is Melbourne-based artist Ash Keating’s “Zi Namsan Plus” (2011). The work comprises a computer graphic-generated image, hanging on a replica of a construction site fence, of a futuristic building on the slope of Mount Namsan in central Seoul. “Zi” in the title originates from the Korean apartment brand “Xi,”

sharpening what is already a parody of the renderings of apartment complexes hanging on construction site fences.

Admission is 3,000 won. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays.
Go to Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1, and walk for 10 minutes.
(02) 733-8945, http://artsonje.org

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 low social status despite their visibility in court.

The first section features paintings that hwawon created for the court and royal household. The highlight of the section is “Royal Palanquin Procession,” a10-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 (1745-1806), 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 Sundays.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 1
(02) 2014-6900, www.leeum.org

COUNTDOWN

Cultural Station Seoul 284, Dongja-dong

To Feb. 11: 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.

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

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

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 last summer.

The collaboration between Korea’s National Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art 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.