[Photo News] Graffiti on fashion

Fashion laden with a youthful culture of graffiti was showcased at the second Seoul 365 Fashion Show on Wednesday at Seoullo 7017, Jung-gu. The Seoul 365 Fashion Show links Korean fashion with Seoul City’s iconic locations where foot traffic can give more exposure to the fashion show. This show’s dominating concept was graffiti, a form of art that often represents youth culture and spirit. Graffiti-inspired apparels by designer man.G were put up on stage accompanied on the sides by colorful draw

April 25, 2018

MMCA show asks how much we know about Asia

How much do we know about Asia? “How Little You Know About Me,” currently running at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, sets out to remind us how little we know about the diverse voices that have remained unnoticed or forgotten in the narrative of the mainstream history of Asia.Fifteen artists and artist groups working in different regions across Asia are participating in the museum’s first Asia Project for this year. “The exhibition is a research-based exhibition. When i

April 23, 2018

Paik Nam-june's iconic video installation unplugged due to safety concern

An iconic video installation by media artist Paik Nam-june (1932-2006) has been turned off due to safety concerns, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art said Thursday.The MMCA said it has unplugged the late visionary artist's video work titled "The More The Better" after a safety check by the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation warned of a fire risk."Old monitors are the biggest concern," said an official from the museum. "We have considered replacing them, but that doesn't seem lik

April 19, 2018

Artists use familiar materials to express themselves

In their search for their means of expression, artists sometimes turn to materials to which they are culturally familiar or emotionally attached to. For sculptor Chung Hyun, that material is debris from abandoned traditional Korean buildings.  An installation view of “Untitled” by sculptor Chung Hyun on the first floor of Kumho Museum of Art (Kumho Museum of Art)At his solo exhibition at Kumho Museum of Art in Seoul, Chung, who is well known for his exhibition “The Standing Man” -- a group of 47

April 12, 2018

Tate Modern to hold Paik Nam-june exhibition next year

Tate Modern is planning an exhibition featuring Korea‘s internationally acclaimed video artist Paik Nam-June next year.Tate Modern will kick off its Paik Nam-June exhibition during the second half of next year, a local media report said Sunday, citing Tate director Maria Balshaw. The exhibition will later tour several cities in East Asia. The exhibition will be curated by Lee Sook-kyung, Senior Research Curator at Tate Research Center and Curator of Tate‘s Asia Pacific Acquisitions Committee --

April 9, 2018

Gazing anew at subject-object relations

Human bodies are often the users, or namely the subjects. Objects, on the other hand, are used by the subjects. “Spa & Beauty Seoul” by artist Jeong Geum-hyung, explores the relationship between subject and object, as well as the gap between the two opposites. Over the weekend, Jeong held three local performances that were first introduced under the title “Tate Live: Geumhyung Jeong” at Tate Modern in London last year.Jeong’s performance Saturday was held on the fourth floor of the SongEun ArtSp

April 8, 2018

[Weekender] Experiencing ultimate delicacy at Korean hair salons

In front of many local hair salons, signboards reading “Welcome foreign guests” and “We speak English” are put up, as a large number of foreign tourists seek to have their hair done while staying in Korea. The outlanders search for a proper glint of “K-style,” while experiencing premium service from head to toe. All-in-one beauty parlors in Korea offer full beauty service, from haircuts to makeup and nails.From the point of walking in, customers are continuously offered to have some beverages an

April 6, 2018

[Video] 77 student models strut down catwalk ‘cherry blossom way’

Since 2014, student models of Daeduk University have hosted an unusual catwalk under cherry blossom trees in full bloom.Daeduk University is located in the center of South Korea in Daejeon and runs a two-year program for aspiring models. Students learn proper posture and the many ways to execute a walk with style. The university’s “Department of Model” was established in 2014 and has since gained fame through its catwalk under the cherry blossoms. Both male and female students participate, altho

April 5, 2018

Yeol holds exhibition shedding light on craftworks informed by tradition

Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, is currently holding an exhibition of craftworks inspired by Korea’s tradition. The retrospective exhibition that highlights the foundation’s support of local craftsmanship over the last 16 years also marks the opening of its new building, Yeol Bukchonga in the Bukchon area in Seoul. Yeol, since its foundation in 2002, has supported various cultural heritage conservation efforts. It also has provided financial support and exhibition opportunities f

April 4, 2018

Anne Teresa's ‘Violin Phase,' act of writing movements

Belgian dancer and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker introduced her postmodern dance work “Violin Phase” -- the third of four movements set to the music of Steve Reich -- at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts on Monday and Tuesday.A square-shaped sheet of white sand was placed in the middle of a white cuboid space while the late afternoon sunlight streamed in. De Keersmaeker entered, stood erect on the side and soon walked into the square. As Reich’s “Violin Phase” began,

April 3, 2018

Kim Whan-ki, Lee U-fan’s works to lead Seoul Auction’s Hong Kong sale

Seoul Auction will hold its 24th Hong Kong Sale, with a total of 69 artworks by acclaimed artists from here and abroad, including Kim Whan-ki, Lee U-fan, Yun Hyong-keun, Gerhard Richter and Damien Hirst. The estimated worth of the artworks reach some 13 billion won ($12.2 million).Kim Whan-ki and Lee U-fan‘s works are expected to the draw collectors’ attention again this year.Kim Whan-ki’s ”Jar and Poetry“ (Seoul Auction)Leading the sale is five of Kim‘s works, including ”Jar and Poetry,“ full-c

March 28, 2018

[Video] Backstage of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week

The six-day 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week came to a close Saturday, but not without leaving a lasting imprint of the vibrant fashion scene that is to unfold in Korea this coming season.If the head-turning runway shows were the flame, the magic that took place backstage was what stoked the fire of the fashion week. (Shot and edited by Lim Jeong-yeo)Makeup artists expertly maneuvered their brushes and powdered models to prepare them for the runways. Amorepacific’s cosmetics brand HERA w

March 26, 2018

Seoul Fashion Week for insiders and outsiders

Wrapping up its five-day exploration of styles and trends, the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week ended its run Saturday. The country’s largest fashion event took place from Tuesday to Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, where 39 local designers showed off their collections to buyers, the press and the invited public. This year, the organizers invited more than 180 foreign buyers from high-end department stores, boutiques and online shopping websites.There was as much action outside the D

March 25, 2018

“Girogi” exhibition questions status of art galleries

As visitors approach the exhibition space of “Girogi,” they can hear the fluttering wings of birds. However, as soon as they enter, they encounter a nearly empty space, where there is nothing but different types of birds embossed on the walls. Visitors are left puzzled, trying to figure out what the exhibition is about. Artist Kim Min-ae’s exhibition “Girogi” -- translates to “wild goose” in English -- which kicked off at Atelier Hermes on March 15, sets out to play and explore the exhibition sp

March 25, 2018

Day 4 of Seoul Fashion Week

With a full load of sunshine, Friday’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza was filled with crowds visiting for the fourth day of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week. Local fashion brands continued to stage inspiring shows. Following are the three highlights of the day. Nohant (Seoul Collection) (Seoul Design Foundation)Nohant’s runway mimicked a city street under construction. The brand’s collection for upcoming fall and winter seasons was labeled as “Dosi,” meaning city in Korean. The wallpaper of

March 24, 2018

What is Korea’s fashion scene like to an Italian buyer?

At the 2018 HERA fall-winter Seoul Fashion Week, there is a distinctive crowd that fills the front rows of fashion shows other than fashion industry insiders, models and celebrities -- buyers. They work for high-end department stores, boutiques and online shopping websites, who decide on what items will be stocked in their stores. It is basically business-to-business shopping. Mario Dell’Oglio speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Thursday. (Seoul Design

March 23, 2018

Day 3 of Seoul Fashion Week

Dongdaemun Design Plaza was filled Thursday afternoon with crowds attending the third day of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week at the peak of its hype. Dressed in bold, creative and unique outfits, they gathered to watch the innovative shows staged by local brands. Following are three highlights of the day.Blindness (Seoul Collection)  (Seoul Design Foundation)Blindness’ show managed to fully express the designer’s artistry, featuring garments that maximized the creativeness of the br

March 23, 2018

Ballerina Park Sae-eun says doing or watching ballet most fun

PARIS -- Ballerina Park Sae-eun, a "premier danseur," or first dancer, of the Paris Opera Ballet, watches ballet recitals in her free time. When her mom recently visited her from Korea, the pair went to Germany to watch a ballet show. "I don't have any other hobby except for doing ballet and watching ballet shows. I tried to take some interest in other topics but just couldn't do it. I've lived in Paris for seven years but all I did was ballet. I haven't gone up the Eiffel Tower yet,"Park told Y

March 22, 2018

Day 2 of Seoul Fashion Week

Despite heavy snow, a fashionable, passionate crowd gathered at Dongdaemun Design Plaza on Wednesday to enjoy the second day of the 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week. Various local brands staged creative shows, providing the audience the chance to observe Korea’s fashion industry at the scene. Following are three highlights of the day. Ordinary People (Seoul Collection) (Seoul Design Foundation)Ordinary People went experimental, making use of various materials typically considered unfit f

March 21, 2018

Day 1 of Seoul Fashion Week

The 2018 fall-winter HERA Seoul Fashion Week officially began Tuesday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Various local brands staged eye-catching shows, providing the audience the chance to observe Korea’s fashion industry at the scene. Following are three highlights of the day. A.Bell (Seoul Collection)  (Seoul Design Foundation)“Light” was the main keyword here. Around 34 outfits portraying the refraction and reflection of light were showcased. Hues of white, beige, ivory and black were dominant. The

March 20, 2018