2014.1.7 MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

JESUS AND THE DEAF SHEEP

Seoul Museum, Jongno District

To Jan. 19: Why not paint Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and the Apostles in hanbok (Korean traditional clothing), with Korean appearances in Korean settings? That’s what Kim Ki-chang (1914-2001), one of the most important artists in Korean modern art history, realized. Kim, better known by his pen name Unbo, made 30 paintings in 1952, amid the 1950-53 Korean War, in the traditional East-Asian style that depict the life of Christ from the Annunciation to the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

The museum is exhibiting them with an additional 30 paintings by Unbo to celebrate Christmas and to honor the 100th birthday of Unbo, which is this year.

Admission is 9,000 won ($8.50) for adults and covers admission to Seokpajeong, a hanok (traditional Korean house) behind the museum that was once the summer residence of King Gojong’s father.

Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday.

Take bus No. 1020, 1711, 7016, 7018, 7022 or 7212 to the Jahamun Tunnel stop.

(02) 395-0100, www.seoulmuseum.org

RYAN MCGINLEY: MAGIC MAGNIFIER

Daelim Museum, Jongno District

To Feb. 23: The solo show of popular American photographer Ryan McGinley features photos of young people running, jumping and dancing, often in open, colorful landscapes. Most of them are in the nude, but their bodies in motion carry with them a sense of primitive freedom rather than eroticism.

“Activity is a very important element in my photography,” McGinley, 36, said in Seoul earlier this month. “And the biggest reason why I take pictures of young people is their rebellion and, most of all, freedom.” Admission is 5,000 won for adults. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Go to Gyeongbokgung Station, line No. 3, exit No. 3 or 4, and walk for five minutes.

(02) 720-0667, www.daelimmuseum.org

CONNECTING-UNFOLDING

MMCA Seoul, Jongno District

To Feb. 28: This is one of five inaugural exhibits at the MMCA Seoul, which opened to the public on Nov. 13.

The show encompasses both conceptual works, in which ideas and interactions with viewers take precedence over visual impact, and works with strong visual and sensory impact explore the boundaries of fine art and the meaning of art in our daily life.

For the show, seven influential curators from around the world - including Richard Flood from the United States, Ann Gallagher from the United Kingdom and Pooja Sood from India - selected seven artists, including Korean artist Yang Min-ha, Taiwanese artist Lee Mingwei and British artist Tacita Dean.

Admission to the five inaugural exhibitions in a package costs 7,000 won.

The museum is open each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the closing time extended to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is closed on Mondays. It is a 10-minute walk from Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit No. 1.

(02) 3701-9500, www.mmca.go.kr

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ:

A PHOTOGRAPHER’S LIFE 1990-2005

Hangaram Art Museum of Seoul Arts Center, Seocho District

To March 4: This is a solo show of American photographer Annie Leibovitz, who is best known for her photos of celebrities, such as the legendary 1980 photo showing John Lennon in the nude kissing his wife Yoko Ono for a Rolling Stone magazine cover.

The exhibition features nearly 200 pieces of Leibovitz’s photos between 1990 and 2005. They include not only celebrity portraits, such as the lyrical black-and-white photo of actor Leonardo DiCaprio with a swan, but also photos of political scenes and wars and those of her families and friends, showing the photographer’s various sides.

Admission is 15,000 won for adults. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. It is closed on Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. Go to Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit No. 5 and walk five minutes.

www.annieleibovitz.co.kr

MARISCAL: THE ART PLAYER

Hangaram Design Museum of Seoul Arts Center, Seocho District

To March 16: This is a retrospective of the renowned Spanish designer Javier Mariscal, who created the mascot “Cobi” for the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics and co-directed the 2010 animated feature-length film “Chico and Rita.”

The exhibition presents 1,200 pieces, including furniture, interior designs, sculptures, drawings and others in three rooms with the themes of “Sketches,” “Collage Landscape” and “Colors Parade.”

Admission is 12,000 for adults. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed on Jan. 27 and Feb. 24. Go to Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit No. 5, and walk five minutes.

www.superseries.kr

By Moon So-young