Exhibition brings public closer to Buddhism

The “Self-Made Inspiration and Laughter Exhibition” at the Sejong Museum of Art from Wednesday through Nov. 12 is tailor made for people frustrated with life but cannot spare even two hours away from the city.

The exhibition is a blend of the current, past and the future ― classic with technology and silence in the midst of dynamics, all bound in the world of Buddhism.

Under the theme of “Our Smiles ― Yours and Mine,” eight young artists try to show the intimate side of inner-self, trying to awaken the their own minds. Some did so in funky and trendy ways while others took a more subtle tack.

In Moon Jong-sun’s “Miss” 20-centimeter plastic humans are skewered along a stainless steel bar.

“Though we avoid each other’s gazes, we are still always connected to each other. We still live our lives feeling annoyed as we cross paths with one another. I think that is the weariness of life and sometimes the origin of Buddhist paintings one encounters,” he said.

Video artist Kim Sung-dae pictured and video-recorded the merchants and residents of Man-ri market in Yongsan, Seoul, the last slum area in the center of the capital. He recorded their everyday lives ― their happiness, sorrow, wrath and joy to find the “genuine warmth within the community.”

Some use cutting-edge techniques to deliver their messages. Lee Hyun-jin presents a computer animation where a Buddha comically disperses evil spirits. The flamboyant and humorous cartoon animation is a crowd puller.

“The flow of time, changes in nature, the flow of all creation, and the immutability of truth. One might even say, ‘It’s hard to always remain the same way,’” she said.

Choi Jin-young’s “The Fact; View Point” made even austere monks smile as his video art composited the picture of the user and the body of the Buddha in a large temple. Some monks asked Choi to email them the composited picture while people queued to see their “inner Buddha.”

There are also participatory sections where people can draw their faces on a yellow card and hang them on the ceiling. The visitors are also asked to depict the smell on their mind. “My mind smells yogurt,” “Sono Felice,” and other memos were stuck on the wall.

Then there is a section for meditation. There are three seats and three mirrors behind the wall of the section. Those meditating are asked to question themselves: Are you happy now? What is the fragrance of “my mind? What in “my mind” is not moving these days? When is “my mind” the most anguished or forlorn? What empties “my mind” and with what do I wish to fill it? And give “my mind” a name.

Then they are invited to look into themselves in the mirror and meditate peacefully.

“For a long time Buddhism was a mysterious religion for many people. We are glad to introduce the world of Buddhism to the public with an interesting topic and exhibition,” said Ven. Beopjin, head of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, an affiliate of Jogye Order, at the opening event.

The exhibition is being held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Templestay program that allows Buddhists and non-Buddhists to stay for a night or more at temples and experience the lives of the monks.

A celebration ceremony was held at the Jogye Temple in central Seoul on Thursday evening with more than 300 guests. Noted pianist Yiruma and singer-songwriter Lucid Fall performed pieces they composed in celebration of the big day.

Ven. Jaseung, head of the Jogye Order, celebrated the milestone ― Templestay has attracted more than 972,633 people, including 131,008 foreign nationals since its launch in 2002.

“Templestay is the wall Buddhist circle tore down and the window we have opened wide to the public for the first time in 1,700 years,” he said. “It is also a bridge to finding the inner-self in a very quiet and intimate atmosphere. The program has become the face of Korean tourism and I think many more from outside Korea can experience Korea here,” he added.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)