[MUSEUM]

"Echoes of Life: the Enduring Tradition of Unified Silla Sculpture": The National Museum of Korea is showcasing more than 200 sculptures, including some national treasures, of the Unified Silla dynasty. Some of the exhibits were brought from Tokyo National Museum, Nara National Museum, and Kyushu National Museum in Japan. Unified Silla`s sculptures emit an international flavor. The exhibition is divided into six parts. The first four parts display sculptures from Unified Silla in a chronological order. The fifth part, "Guardians of the Dead - Tomb Sculptures," holds stone pagodas and the monkey figure of the 12 zodiac animals. In the final division "Culmination of Artistic Spirit - Seokguram Grotto," there is a model of the grotto. The exhibition runs until March 1 at National Museum of Korea in Ichon-dong in central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr



"Fascination of Europe: Western-style Paintings in Modern Japan": The National Museum of Korea introduces a highly interesting group of western-style paintings by modern Japanese artists collected and displayed in the Yi Royal Museum from 1933 to 1943. These paintings are part of a larger collection preserved by the Yi Royal Museum which consists of modern Japanese-style paintings, Western-style paintings sculptures and craftwork. The National Museum of Korea holds a selection of 40 Western-style paintings from the Yi Royal Museum collection. These pieces include 33 oil paintings, two drawings, four prints, and one pastel drawing. The exhibition runs through Oct. 11, 2009 in the Japan Gallery of the National Museum of Korea. The museum is located at Ichon subway station, line 4, exit 2. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr



"Vietnam: Life and Culture": The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition showcasing a collection of Vietnamese artifacts on loan from Vietnam`s National History Museum, National Ethological Museum and the National Museum. Items from the National Museum of Korea`s collections will also be on display. Visitors can take in traditional Vietnamese clothing, musical instruments and ceramics. Bronze drums from the ancient Dong Sun culture of Vietnam will also be part of the exhibition. Fifteenth-century blue-and-white porcelain dishes, discovered in a sunken ship off Cu Lao Cham Island, have traditional Vietnamese motifs. The exhibition is at the Asian Center and the India South East Asia galleries until March 11, 2010. The museum is located at Ichon Subway Station, line 4, exit 2. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr