Events Calendar

Published : Apr 15, 2011 - 18:37 Updated : Apr 15, 2011 - 18:37

Exhibitions

“Koo Bohnchang”: One of South Korea’s most renowned photographers, Koo Bohn-chang, is holding a solo exhibition at Kukje Gallery. Elements from his other series as well as his personal collections of eclectic objects are on display, giving the viewers a hint of Koo’s youth, attitudes toward photography and more. The exhibition runs through April 30 at Kukje Gallery in Sogyeok-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 735-8449 or visit www.kukjegallery.com.

“H Box 2011”: “H Box,” the 6.5 meter wide and 5 meter tall spaceship-like structure on the third floor of Artsonje Center in Sogyeok-dong, central Seoul, is a mini, portable screening room for video artworks, organized by the Hermes Foundation. The project was started in 2006 and so far a total of 21 video works have toured around prestigious museums and art festivals of the world. Here, eight video works are currently on show, including four premiering works. “H Box 2011” runs through May 1. For more information, call (02) 733-8945 or visit www.artsonje.org.

“Katie Paterson”: PKM Gallery and Bartleby Bickle & Meursalt introduces Katie Paterson, one of the most acclaimed young artists to emerge from Britain in recent years. This is her first exhibition in Korea. It features several pieces of Paterson’s scientific artworks that ponder on space, time, light and sounds. The exhibition runs through May 6 at PKM Gallery and Bartleby Bickle & Meursalt in Hwa-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 734-9467 or visit www.pkmgallery.com.

A scene from Katie Paterson’s video work “Langjokull, Snaefellsjokull, Solheimajokull” which is on display at PKM Gallery through May 6. (PKM Gallery)

“Paulo Robersi: Photographs”: A retrospective exhibition on Italian photographer Paulo Robersi is underway at 10 CORSO COMO. Robersi is referred to as currently one of the three best fashion photographers in the world along with Steven Meisel and Peter Lindbergh. The exhibition runs through May 8 at 10 CORSO COMO SEOUL in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. Admission is free. Minors are not allowed. For more information, call (02) 3018-1010.

“The Exhibition of the Great Portraitist’s Work ― KARSH”: About 100 photographs by the great photographer Yousuf Karsh are on display at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Among its three sections ― “Landscape,” “Portraits,” “Hands” ― the “Portraits” division is notable. Visitors can meet many portrait photos of the famous people from the 20th century, including Audrey Hepburn, Christian Dior and Elizabeth Taylor. The exhibition runs through May 22 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Tickets range from 6,000 won to 9,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1681.

“Korean Rhapsody: A Montage of History and Memory”: Korea’s restless modern history unfolds at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in the form of paintings, photographs, installations and media works. The exhibition displays 80 historical documents and artworks that reflect crucial moments in Korea’s painful but dynamic past. While staying within the theme, the exhibits are of very high quality, created by renowned local and foreign artists. The exhibition runs until June 5 at Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art in Hannam-dong, southern Seoul. Tickets range from 4,000 won to 7,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2014-6900 or visit www.leeum.org.

“CHINA The New Wave”: In commemoration of the 19th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, 63 Sky Art Gallery presents 60 paintings and photographs by 16 of China’s representative contemporary artists including Fang Lijun, Zeng Fanzhi, Yue Minjun, Ru Xiaofan and Zhang Xiaogang. The exhibition runs through July 3 at 63 Building’s 63 Sky Art Gallery in Yeouido-dong, central Seoul. Tickets are 11,000 won for children and adolescents and 12,000 won for adults. For more information, call (02) 789-5663 or visit www.63.co.kr.

“Kim Chong-hak”: The National Museum of Contemporary Art is holding a large-scale retrospective exhibition to look back on the achievements of South Korean artist Kim Chong-hak who is known as the “painter of Mountain Seorak.” The exhibition features 70 major paintings from his early works of the 1950s to more recent works. He painted beautiful landscapes of the country using glamorous colors and extravagant expressions. The exhibition runs through June 26 at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. For more information, call (02) 2188-6000 or visit www.moca.go.kr.

Dance

“Prince Hodong”: Korea National Ballet stages “Prince Hodong,” an original work based on a Korean traditional tale “The Princess Nakrang and the Prince Hodong,” from April 22 to 23 at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. Based on the Korean cultural text, the ballet depicts war, love, betrayal and death. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.

“Princess Kongee”: The National Dance Company of Korea will present “Princess Kongee” from May 4 to May 8 at the National Museum of Theater’s Haeoreum Theater in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul. It is an original dance musical which fuses the Cinderella story with a Korean traditional tale of a similar story called “Kongee Patgee.” Tickets range from 5,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2280-4115~6 or visit www.ntok.go.kr.

“Varekai”: Canadian troupe Cirque du Soleil will perform “Varekai” through May 29 at the tent of the Big Top Theater in Jamsil Sports Complex in southern Seoul. The show is about a story of Icarus from Greek mythology. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 220,000 won. The 220,000-won “Tapis Rouge” ticket includes a VIP lounge service and souvenirs such as a program book and CD. For more information, call (02) 541-6235 or visit www.varekai.co.kr.

Dramas

“Finding Kim Jong-wook”: The play tells a bubbly story about a girl who seeks her first love, who she met during a trip to India seven years ago, and a guy who opens a first-love search company after getting fired from his job. Knowing just which buttons to push to make viewers reminisce about their own first loves, the musical soon became something of an archetype for Korean romantic comedy. It is staged as an open run at Daehangno Art Madang in Hyehwa-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 501-7888.

“Kiss of the Spider Woman”: Based on Argentine writer Manuel Puig’s script “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” director Lee Gi-na and four male actors are to present a uniquely Korean drama of a male couple locked in a prison cell. Politically revolutionary Valentin and gay Molina, who has been convicted for having sex with a minor, have nerve-breaking arguments but fall in love after all. Actors Jung Sung-hwa and Park Eun-tae have been cast as Valentin and Molina. The drama will run through April 24 at the Daehangno Art One Theater. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For details, call (02) 764-8760.

“Hamlet”: A Korean version of William Shakepeare’s “Hamlet” is running at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts’ M Theater in central Seoul. Well-known South Korean director Park Geun-hyeong reinterpreted the play so that it better fits into Koreans’ lives. It runs through April 24. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

Musicals

“Monte Cristo“: The musical ”Monte Cristo“ runs through April 24 at the Chungmu Art Hall’s Grand Theater. Based on the novel ”The Count of Monte Cristo,“ the musical is directed by veteran U.S. musical director Robert Johanson and the music was composed by Frank Wildhorn. It features local musical stars including Ryu Jung-han, Um Ki-joon and Shin Song-rok triple-cast in the lead role. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 120,000 won. For details, visit www.musicalmonte.com.

“Love in the Rain”: This hit small-stage musical has been running for 17 years. The story is about two brothers who meet after being separated for seven years. The brothers, who have contrasting personalities and live totally opposite lives, cannot stand each other but also love each other. It runs through May 29 at Chungmu Art Hall in Heungin-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 764-7858.

“Miso”: “Miso,” translated as “beautiful smile,” offers a compact presentation of everything Korean culture first-timers could wish for. It blends ten different kinds of traditional dances, five traditional games and a wedding ritual into the main story line based on a well-known folktale, “The Tale of Chunhyang.” There are very few spoken lines throughout the whole performance, catering to audiences of diverse nationalities. Instead, actors hold up signs written in five different languages at crucial moments in the story. “Miso” is showing as an open run at Chongdong Theater in Jeong-dong, central Seoul. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-1500 or visit www.koreamiso.com.

Concerts

“Kumho Musical Instrument Series”: Every Thursday through April 28, the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation will hold the Kumho Musical Instrument Series concert at Kumho Art Hall. Five young artists selected through auditions, will be able to borrow prestigious antique musical instruments from the foundation to perform. Tickets range from 8,000 won to 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6303-7700.

“Angela Gheorghiu Concert in Korea”: Star soprano Angela Gheorghiu will hold a concert with tenor Marius Brenciu at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on April 27. The program will include “O Soave Fanciulla” from Puccini’s “La Boheme” and “Un Bel Divedremo” from “Madame Butterfly.” The Korean Symphony Orchestra and conductor Ion Marin will join the stage. Tickets range from 70,000 won to 220,000 won. For more information call (02) 541-2512.

“Ennio Morricone 50th Anniversary Live”: The Academy Award-winning film score composer Ennio Morricone is to hold his 50th anniversary live concert in Seoul from May 16-18 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. The program will include his representative songs such as “Gabriel’s Oboe.” Tickets range from 40,000 won to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114~6. For English booking, call (02) 332-3277.

“2011 Aram Nuri Symphonic Series I”: The Goyang Culture Foundation has embarked on a seven-year project to extensively cover symphonic orchestra music from 2011-17. The series will compare Haydn with Mozart in 2011, Beethoven with Brahms in 2012, Tchaikovsky with Rachmaninoff in 2013, Schubert with Mendelssohn in 2014, Dvorak with Sibelius in 2015, Bruckner with Mahler in 2016 and Prokofiev with Shostakovich in 2017. As the second leg of the series, conductor Jung Chi-yong and KBS Symphony Orchestra will perform on May 14, the Haydn Symphony No. 83 in G minor, famously known as “the Hen.” Virtuoso cellist Chung Myung-wha will perform Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major and the orchestra will wrap up the performance with Symphony No. 104 in D Major, or “the London Symphony,” the final symphony of Haydn. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For details, call 1577-7766.

“Boris Berezovsky with 3 Piano Concertos”: Russian pianist Boris Berezovsky is to collaborate with conductor Kim Dae-jin and Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra to showcase three piano concertos ― Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat Major, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A minor and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor. The concert will take place at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on May 8 at 2 p.m. For more information, call (02) 541-2513.

“Anne Sophie Mutter Recital”: German diva violinist Anne Sophie Mutter will hold her recital on May 3 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall at 8 p.m.. Her performance in Korea is in three years. She was the only violinist who performed and recorded albums with legendary composer Karajan for 13 years before he passed away. The concert program will be Debussy Violin Sonata g minor, Mendelssohn Violin Sonata F Major, Mozart Violin Sonata KV 454 and Sarasate “Carmen Fantasy.” Tickets range from 50,000 won to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 318-4301.

“Sumi Jo & Academy of Ancient Music”: Renowned soprano Sumi Jo will showcase baroque music with British ensemble the Academy of Ancient Music, while conductor Richard Egarr will take the helm, at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on May 6-7. The program includes Handel’s “Concerto Grosso, Op. 3, No. 2” and “Sonata A5.” The ensemble’s visit to Korea is the first in 10 years. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1763.

“Barbie at the Symphony”: Conductor Arnie Roth and Ditto Orchestra will hold the “Barbie at the Symphony” concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on May 15 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The concert will offer representative classical music repertoires featured in the animation movie “Barbie Princess.” The program includes Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Drorak’s Symphony No. 9 and Mendelsshon’s Symphony No. 4. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 80,000 won. For details, call (02) 318-4301.

“Opera Tosca”: The Seoul Metropolitan Opera Company will stage opera “Tosca,” one of the most frequently performed operas among Puccini’s works, from April 21 to April 24 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts’ Grand Theater. Soprano and tenor arias in “Tosca” were favorites of legendary opera singers like Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti. Among the Korean cast for “Tosca,” tenor Park Ki-chun and soprano Im Se-gyeong, who are both based in Europe, will play the role of Cavaradossi and Tosca, respectively. The story unfolds as an escaped political prisoner Angelotti hides in a church, runs into painter Cavaradossi and gets his help. “Tosca” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range from 20,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1783.

National Museum of Korea Exhibition

“The Song of Nature: Goryeo Celadon of Yucheon-ri Kiln Site”: The National Museum of Korea’s new theme exhibition, “The Song of Nature: Goryeo Celadon of Yucheon-ri Kiln Site,” is the result of Korea’s 1966 excavation on Yucheon-ri kiln site in Bu-ahn of North Jeolla Province.

Yucheon-ri kiln site No.12, along with the sites in Gang-jin of South Jeolla Province, is the basis of Goryeo celadon. The exhibition presents the beginning and end of Yucheon-ri kilns, displaying the fundamental beauty of the Goryeo celadon pieces and fragments. One can appreciate the craftmanship and culture that people of Goryeo shared through this exhibition. It runs through May 29 at the museum’s Celadon room in the Sculpture and Crafts Gallery. The museum is located near Ichon Subway Station, Line No. 4, Exit 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.

“Tea, Incense, and Carrying the Soul: Longquan Ware from the Sinan Wreck”: The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition featuring about 90 pieces of 14th century Chinese celadon ware found in a shipwreck. The featured pieces are from the Longquan region of China’s southern Zhejiang province, where the superior Chinese celadon ware was produced at the time. In 1323, a Chinese merchant ship carrying more than 30,000 items for export, including ceramics, sank off the southwest coast of Korea at Sinan. The ship was accidentally discovered by a Korean fisherman in 1975 ― more than 650 years after it sank. Its site was excavated from 1976 to 1984, bringing the long-lost artifacts back to the surface. Among the 30,000 artifacts, 14,000 pieces were found to be Longquan celadon ware. The exhibition showcases different types of Longquan ware, its signature jade color and cultures of 14th century Asia reflected in the featured pieces. It runs through June 19 at the museum’s Sinan Shipwreck Collection Room in the Asia Gallery. The museum is located near Ichon Subway Station, Line No. 4, Exit 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.

“A Mirror into Life and Death: Epitaphs of Joseon Dynasty”: This special exhibition features Korea’s traditional epitaphs, “myojimyeong,” concentrating on those from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). Throughout history, myojimyeong recorded the names, dates of birth and death, family history and achievements of the dead. While the first part of this exhibition features the history of the Korean epitaphs from the Three Kingdoms through Goryeo to the Joseon period, the second part showcases the different types of tomb tablets that were created according to the social status of the interred. The exhibition displays the epitaphs of kings, members of the royal family, aristocratic clans and commoners. It runs through April 17 at the museum’s Special Exhibition Room, first floor. The museum is located near Ichon Subway Station, Line No. 4, Exit 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.

“Ethnic Earthenware from Asian’s heart”: Clay is a modeling material that can be easily used and placed, and a great many Asian people, by following the dispensation of nature, have made a variety of unique clay objects. This exhibition displays earthenware that reflects Asian life and the spiritual world in a coherent way. The exhibits are arranged to reveal the characteristics and aesthetics of diverse ethnic groups of Asia, who have preserved tradition through modernization. It runs through Sept. 11 at the museum’s Kaneko Kazushige room in the Donations Gallery, on the second floor. The museum is located near Ichon Subway Station, Line No. 4, Exit 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.