Seoul Auction to open exhibition space in HK

Seoul Auction, Korea’s leading auction house, will launch an art exhibition space in Hong Kong on Thursday, as part of its effort to expand its footing in Asia and promote Korean art and artists overseas, it said Monday.During a press conference in Seoul to mark its 20th anniversary, Seoul Auction said that the auction house would launch its new exhibition space SA+ in Hong Kong’s new H Queen’s building, dedicated to galleries. “Seoul Auction decided to launch the exhibition space SA+ in Hong Ko

Feb. 6, 2018

[Herald Interview] Capturing hanbok’s beauty with modern elements

Jeans, knee-length skirt, see-through sleeveless dress, lace and frills -- these are not the descriptions that usually come to mind when thinking about hanbok, or traditional Korean clothes. But for everyday hanbok brand Leesle, these words are part of the vocabulary used to describing its products.Many Koreans these days are reluctant to wear hanbok, as it is expensive and uncomfortable. The skirt is long and the sleeves are too wide. As it is mostly made with silk, it’s difficult to wash. (Lee

Feb. 5, 2018

Luxury European brands extend reach to Korean shoppers

In South Korea, luxury fashion brands from countries such as Italy, France and the UK have gained popularity, particularly among consumers in their 40s and above. The traditional designs and high price tags did not do much to attract young Koreans, but that is about to change.Recently more European luxury brands have been vigorously targeting the so-called millennials -- those born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s -- across the global market.Since 2015 these high-end brands have been succes

Feb. 4, 2018

[PyeongChang 2018] Art biennale to PyeongChang Games attempts to shed light on overlooked reality

“An event like the Winter Olympics receives delegations from all over the world, so you might have an impression that the circulation is free in the world. But it is not,” Akram Zaatari said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday at the Gangwon International Biennale 2018 in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, a subhost city of the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Games. Zaatari’s collection exhibited at the biennale comprises 48 photographs of Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese prisoners detained in

Feb. 4, 2018

North Korean art exhibition to be held during Gwangju Biennale

This year‘s Gwangju Biennale will have special “guests” -- artwork from North Korea.An authority in North Korean art, US-based BG Muhn is organizing an exhibition of North Korean artworks during the Gwangju Biennale, which kicks off in September. “I decided to organize the exhibition because I wanted to introduce the beautiful aesthetics embedded in North Korean art, which are upstaged by the political meanings attached to them,” said Muhn said in an email interview with The Korea Herald. ”If th

Feb. 1, 2018

SeMA to step up efforts amid unfavorable circumstances

Seoul Museum of Art on Monday unveiled its 2018 SeMA Biennale lineup, as well as other exhibitions scheduled for this year, but concerns about inadequate time to prepare for the September biennale and budget cuts loom large.SeMA has made significant changes to the 2018 SeMA Biennale -- now renamed the Seoul Mediacity Biennale. This year’s biennale will comprise exhibitions organized by six curatorial collective members, a departure from the 10-year-old practice of having one director.  A floor i

Jan. 30, 2018

Artday to hold January action

Herald Artday, a subsidiary of Herald Corp., is holding an online auction between Jan. 27 and Jan. 31, presenting major works of art by contemporary artists here and abroad. The latest art auction will offer numerous artworks by renowned artists including Oh Su-fan, Choi Byung-so, Kim Chong-hak, Kwun Sun-cheol and Son Eung-sung, along with foreign artists.  cap – “Tranquility” by Oh Su-fan /ArtdayIn particular, the collection will feature Oh Su-fan’s “Tranquility” series, as well as the monochro

Jan. 28, 2018

Dan Flavin’s exhibition to start at newly opened Lotte Museum of Art

Dan Favin’s exhibition will kick off Friday at the newly constructed Lotte Museum of Art, an exhibition space on the seventh floor of Lotte World Tower. “Starting with the Dan Flavin exhibition, the Lotte Foundation for Arts will continue to introduce works of artists from here and abroad, whose works have not been introduced in the country,” said Han Kwang-kyu, the CEO of the Lotte Foundation for Arts, during a press conference at LMOA. Dan Flavin is an American minimalist artist renowned for m

Jan. 25, 2018

Hanbok fair takes place at Seoul Station

The 2018 Hanbok Winter Market, featuring various styles of Korean traditional costume hanbok, is taking place at Culture Station Seoul 284. The event began Friday and runs through Monday.  Modern interpretations of hanbok are displayed at Culture Station Seoul 284. (Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)Held jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hanbok Advancement Center, the event features some 50 hanbok brands’ pop-up stores, where various styles of hanbok are showcased and sold

Jan. 21, 2018

[Weekender] Art on the run at new Incheon terminal

Newly opened second passenger terminal of Incheon International Airport is drawing attention not just for the numbers involved, but also its art.Under a project called “Artport,” Incheon International Airport has spent more than 18 billion won on displaying artworks throughout the terminal, ranging from paintings to installations. The latest 4.6 billion won project is highlighted by five artworks by renowned artists including French sculptor Julius Popp and German media artist Xavier Veilhan. Th

Jan. 19, 2018

‘Splash of Old in New’ curates Korea in eyes of fashion

To enjoy a photo exhibition that portrays abstract Korean concepts in the perspective of fashion, a visitor needs to bring three packages each of ramen and instant rice.Such is the admission charged at “A Splash of Old in the New,” a photo exhibition running through Sunday at the Gangnam Tourist Information Center in Seoul. The exhibition “A Splash of Old in the New” is underway at Gangnam Tourist Information Center at Apgujeong-dong, Seoul, through Sunday. (Photo by Im Eun-byel / The Korea Hera

Jan. 18, 2018

Artist ‘instantly sews’ thoughts, feelings into rag dolls

Rag doll maker and artist Moon Jung-whe does more than sew fabric into objects -- she reveals her inner thoughts and feelings through her creations. Moon, who has created more than 200 rag dolls, calls them “instant dolls.” She came up with the term herself, as the dolls are a way of instantly expressing her feelings, beyond being the execution of intricate art. “When I went to Hawaii, I made a doll using local fabrics, sketching my impression of the island,” Moon said. “By making the ‘instant d

Jan. 15, 2018

Incheon Airport’s new terminal features French artist Xavier Veilhan

Adding poetic elements to the public space was French artist Xavier Veilhan’s goal in creating “Great Mobiles” installed at the entrance of Incheon Airport’s Terminal 2.Veilhan is best known for his angular sculptures, as well as “Studio Venezia,” a giant recording studio that transformed the 1912 French Pavilion, introduced at the Venice Biennale 2017.“Great Mobiles” consists of two mobiles that stretch 18.5 meters wide, hanging near the two entrances of the newly built second terminal.  Xavier

Jan. 14, 2018

Pantone picks Ultra Violet as color of the year for 2018

Pantone chose Ultra Violet as the color of the year for 2018. And the shade of purple is expected to hit stores, manifesting itself in cosmetic and fashion products.　For instance, VDL Cosmetics will introduce items featuring the color. VDL Cosmetics posted a promotion video of “VDL + Pantone” on Facebook. It is taking preorders for the limited edition lineup, which includes products such as eye shadow, tint, makeup primer and cushion compact foundation.  Cosmetic Products from Inisfree with Ultr

Jan. 11, 2018

MMCA seeks to lead arts scene in Asia

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Korea will step up efforts to lead the contemporary art scene in Asia, it said. During a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday, the MMCA Director Bartomeu Mari announced the museum’s 2018 exhibitions of acclaimed artists here and abroad, as well as projects underscored by its long-term vision of becoming a leading voice of the contemporary art scene in Asia. The MMCA Director Bartomeu Mari announces its 2018 programs during the press co

Jan. 10, 2018

How North Korean women do their makeup: defector actress (Video)

Snow-white skin and a round, full-moon face -- these are the elements of a beautifully made-up North Korean female face, according to actress Kim Ah-ra. Kim, who defected to the South in 2009, featured in a YouTube clip by beauty vlogger Min Sae-rom on Friday to give a tutorial on North Korean women’s makeup.The two applied makeup to their faces using a photo of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s wife Ri Sol-ju as a reference.  Min Sae-rom (left) and Kim Ah-ra (YouTube)North Korean music groups l

Jan. 9, 2018

Lubaina Himid becomes oldest winner of UK‘s Turner Prize

Lubaina Himid, 63, on Tuesday became the oldest winner of the Turner Prize, Britain‘s most prestigious yet controversial visual art award, for her works celebrating black creativity.Judges praised the Zanzibar-born artist for the “seriousness of themes she addressed”, paying tribute to the “current vitality of Lubaina’s work as well as the current relevance” of it in three decades past.The winning artist said she felt “like I won it for a lot of people, so that‘s why it means a lot. Artist Lubai

Dec. 6, 2017

[Eye Plus] Seoul night with bright lights

A December night in Seoul is as bright as day, with streets adorned with colorful lights that greet the citizens and visitors. Luminaries, or festive light displays, were first used around 400 years ago in Italy to commemorate the saints. The ceremony is now sublimated to an art festival. Retailers including department stores and luxury boutiques have been the most eager to bring yearend festivities to their edifices in South Korea as well. Notable among them are department stores in Myeong-dong

Dec. 1, 2017

[Photo] Camel is the new black

Female celebrities pulled off a chic but relaxed look with camel coats at a fashion event. Italian fashion house Max Mara held an exhibition named “Max Mara, Coats!” at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Tuesday. Many of the stars at the scene donned camel-colored coats, the signature item of the brand.Irene, a fashion model, showcased a unique style by wearing two coats at once. She wore one as a dress, slinging the other one back on her shoulders.  Model Irene (Herald DB)Actress Kim Ock-b

Nov. 29, 2017

Design Week in Daegu 2017 kicks off

The fifth annual Design Week in Daegu kicked off Thursday at Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Center and will run until Sunday, organizers said. Co-hosted by the Daegu Metropolitan Government and Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Center, Design Week in Daegu 2017 will proceed under the theme of “Innovation, Caring and Empathy through Design.” (Daegu Gyeongbuk Design Center)With Daegu as the key setting, this year’s event will showcase a “universal design” for everyone that can essentially be applied to five scenario

Nov. 16, 2017