LONDON (AFP) ― Britain’s Tate Modern opens the former power station’s giant underground oil tanks as an art space on Wednesday, vastly increasing the capacity of the world’s most visited modern art gallery.The tanks ― which measure 30 meters in diameter and seven meters high and once held one million gallons of oil ― are designed to accommodate giant installations, as well as host performances and projections.The huge circular areas will help Tate Modern overcome a crippling lack of space for th

Young Korean artists and Swiss video artist offer snapshots of latest visual art trendLeeum, Samsung Museum of Art presents two special exhibitions featuring still pictures, documentaries and video work created by young Korean artists and an internationally renowned visual artist. The museum is holding a group exhibition of eight young Korean visual artists as part of its biennial ArtSpectrum project and a solo exhibition of the world-famous Swiss visual artist Pipilotti Rist for two months. “We

British-themed exhibitions encompass contemporary artworks to BeatlesArt may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of the Olympics. But the quadrennial event can be the largest and most effective cultural celebration as many eyes will be on the host country for more than two weeks and the events will be remembered for much longer. With less than two weeks left until the 2012 London Olympics, art galleries in Seoul are celebrating the big sporting event with art exhibitions on Bri

Dramatic and emotionally-charged musicals from Germany appeal to Korean sensibilitiesThis year Korea will produce one of the largest numbers of German musicals in the world.Ever since the musical boom in the early 2000s, Korea has looked mostly to Broadway for inspiration, but is now turning its gaze to Europe.German imports “Elisabeth,” “Rebecca” and “Mozart!” have hit stages to roaring success, and are holding their own against tried-and-true American staples such as “Wicked,” “Chicago” and “H

Gwangju Biennale announced a full roster of artists, directors and the theme for this year’s edition that will help establish itself as a highlight event for contemporary art in Asia. Asian artists account for almost half of the total 92 participating artists, whose countries of origin range from Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan and China to Korea. “We selected 44 Asian artists and six female Asian directors in order to solidify the image of the event as the representative cultu

Newly promoted principal dancer Seo Hee to perform the lead roleFour years after the American Ballet Theatre charmed Seoulites with “Don Quixote” and “Rabbit and Rogue” in 2008, the renowned American troupe is back in Seoul this month to showcase their romantic ballet “Giselle.”The upcoming run is stirring even more excitement as the company’s Korean-born member Seo Hee, who is to perform the lead role, was promoted to principal member on Friday. She is the first Korean dancer to hold the positi

New York-based Korean artist’s work to be on permanent display at new Polish international airportAn artwork by a Korean artist will be put up for permanent display at the new airport in the Polish city of Poznan this fall, making it the second art piece to be installed at a foreign airport by a Korean artist. New York-based Korean artist Sang Nam Lee will showcase the 73-meter-wide and 3-meter-long art installation, called “Landscapic Algorithm,” in September when the third Mediations Biennale-

Modernized white porcelain works appeal to international viewers at the 18th Biennale of SydneyTwo female Korean artists are showcasing collaborative works at the 18th Biennale of Sydney, revealing the beauty of Korean white porcelain reinterpreted in a modern way for international audiences. Ceramic artist Park Young-sook and sculptor Yee Soo-kyung have collaborated in “The Moon Project,” in which Park shows her signature white porcelain pieces “Moon Jars” and Yee presents a ball-shaped sculptu

A leading South Korean musical production company said Thursday it is preparing to debut an English-language musical in London’s West End.Acom International Co., producer of hit Korean musicals “The Last Empress” and “Hero,” said it had a second workshop performance of the new musical “Woyzeck” at Charing Cross Theater in London last month.The event came after the company’s seven-year-long effort to produce something that can better appeal to global audiences. So, the production company made “Wo

 Famous faces are the focus of the latest exhibition at Opera Gallery Seoul in Cheongdam-dong.The exhibition, titled “Visage,” features 50 portraits of well-known figures in history, including French fashion designer Coco Chanel, soprano Maria Callas as well as individuals by American and European artists.Seven artists active in North America and Europe reveal their distinctive characteristics through portraits.  Canadian artist Andre Monet recreates portraits of famous people in both avant-gard

Australian cast of hit musical energized by unexpected enthusiasmThe Australian stars of hit Broadway musical “Wicked” are having a truly wicked time in Korea. From receptive audiences to indulgent coffee houses and the graciousness of the Korean people, Jemma Rix and David Harris are spoilt for choice for highlights of their stay. Five weeks into the Korean tour, Rix, who plays the rebellious green witch Elphaba, and Harris, who plays Fiyero, her dashing love interest, have been overwhelmed by

New generation finds own ways to channel social messagesAn exhibition is putting young Chinese artists under the spotlight this month, offering insight into today’s Chinese art and society. The exhibition held at Hakgojae Gallery in Seoul hosts eight contemporary artworks by emerging Chinese young artists ― Lu Zhengyuan, Ma Quisha, Ye Linghan, Zang Kunkun, Tu Hongtao, Pan Jian, Hao Liang and Huang Jingyuan ― all in their late 20s to 30s. “The exhibition shows the current state of Chinese contemp