Society’s mental state expressed in awkward, uncomfortable settingsAnxiety seems to be the word that best explains the current state of Korean society, as demonstrated in the choice of anxiety and tension as the focus of an upcoming experimental art exhibition. The annual thematic exhibition at Arko Art Center in Seoul portrays different aspects of anxiety under the theme of “Playground” from Friday to Sept. 28.It features works by nine artists, illustrating the anxiety-ridden state of contempor

Bangle to share design vision at second Herald Design Forum Sept. 19-21The following is the first in a series of email interviews with leading designers participating at the Herald Design Forum on Sept. 19-21. ― Ed.As companies try to create competitive advantage with innovative design, new design concepts are fast emerging, according to Chris Bangle, head of the eponymous design brand Chris Bangle Associates, in a recent e-mail interview with The Korea Herald. Just as Bangle said in the intervi

Art company launches project to discover young creative talentArtday has launched a project to discover young, promising artists and help them debut in the art market. The online auction company, a subsidiary of the Herald Corp., is holding an exhibition of 15 young artists in their 20s and 30s from Aug. 15-31 both on its website and at a gallery in Seoul.The Rising Artist Project serves as a platform to facilitate the sales of the young artists’ works, a feature that distinguishes it from other

Top designers at the Sept. 19-21 forum to inspire audience in design, lifeA design forum organized by Herald Corp. is once again set to start a discussion on the role and impact of design next month, hosting leading designers, architects and artists. Launched last year, the Herald Design Forum has positioned itself as a major design forum in Korea, inviting acclaimed figures in the field and attracting local audiences looking for inspiration. The forum, titled “Re-imagine! Herald Design Forum,”

The Arts Council Korea announced Monday the appointment of Kim Seung-duk to curate the Korea Pavilion of the 2013 Venice Biennale.A nine-member group of art experts selected Kim as the commissioner for the Korean exhibition for her expertise in and knowledge of international art as well as international curatorial experience and a broad network that can effectively promote Korean art to an international audience, the council said.“I am honored to be given an opportunity to work for the Venice Bi

Despite the long distance, Mexico has become one of the most sought-after travel destinations for Koreans, a high-ranking Mexican official said Thursday.The Mexican Tourism Board saw 15.3 percent increase in the number of Korean travelers to the Latin American country from 34,965 in 2011 to 40,303 this year. It attracted a record 23.4 million tourists from around the world in 2011, making it the 10th most visited country in the world. “Korea is a strategic market for Mexico. As this year celebra

LILLEHAMMER, Norway ― The visitors touring Maihaugen Heritage Village were itching with curiosity. They’d wandered the site’s narrow lanes and peered inside the 200-year-old log cabins. They’d explored the craft shops and traditional hand-hewn barns brought from far-flung farms and forests and reassembled here, under the trees. Now they wanted to know if any of Norway’s leading figures ― statesmen, film makers, painters or artists ― had their roots in these humble huts.“What about Thor Heyerdahl

Illustrations in children’s books may have been long seen as less important than fine art, but French illustrator Joelle Jolivet hopes picture book illustrations will receive as much appreciation as fine art. “Even in France, picture book illustrations are not considered the same as fine art. But I hope it receives the same appreciation in the future and I think the history of picture books should be studied someday,” said Jolivet Tuesday. She was in Seoul for the French illustration exhibition

The Grand Hilton Seoul is hosting its annual traditional German Oktoberfest on Sept. 8.The hotel, located in Hongeun-dong, northern Seoul, invites guests for an evening of celebration with beer and traditional German food. The festival is Korea’s largest Oktoberfest event, which draws more than 1,000 people every year. Originated in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is the world’s largest festival attracting about 7.5 million people every year. The origin of the festival is known as the celebration p

 Underwater photographer Chang Nam-won’s humpback whale photographs on displayKorea’s first underwater photographer Chang Nam-won will offer a journey into the deep blue sea with awe-inspiring photos of humpback whales this month. Chang’s photographs will be on display at Lotte Gallery from Wednesday, allowing audiences a moment to cool down from the heat and dive into the rarely-exposed world of humpback whales. Chang spent five years capturing humpback whales living off Vauvau Island of the Ki

A performance featuring K-pop singers who belong to the same entertainment agency has attracted more than 100,000 fans in Tokyo, the organizer said Monday.The concert was held at Tokyo Dome in the Japanese capital on Saturday and Sunday as part of a world concert tour organized by the S.M. Entertainment Agency to capitalize on the rising boom of the Korean pop culture.During the “SM Town Live World Tour III in Tokyo” concert, the crowd enthusiastically sang along with the singers, waving colorfu