A series of exhibitions shedding light
on the arts and culture of Korea’s modern era kicked off late May at two
of Seoul’s most-frequented museums, revealing how Korean artists have
shaped their own expertise and identity over historical adversities in
the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Modern art rediscovered at the National Museum of Art, Deoksugung
The Deoksugung Palace Annex of the National Museum of Contemporary Art
reopened its doors on May 26, following months of renovation. The
building has undergone a process of architectural restoration and
refurbishment based on historic research to better accommodate its new
role as a representative art institution specializing in Korean modern
art.
For its reopening, the museum brought in two special exhibitions: a
large-scale retrospective of the late Lee In-sung -- marking the
centennial celebration of the artist’s birth -- and “Poetry and Dreams,”
which features a selection of modern masterpieces from the museum
collection.
Lee In-sung (1912-1950) is a critically acclaimed artist from the early
20th century, who in his time had been dubbed a genius by the Japanese
press. Perhaps Lee may not be a name that would ring in the minds of
contemporaries, as most of his artwork was long kept in the hands of
private collectors. Lee has however been at the center of attention
among art historians for creating a remarkable artistic legacy and
establishing a profound engagement in visual realization and exploration
of the native hue.
The current exhibition is an extensive survey of the oeuvre of Lee
In-sung, encompassing different stages of his career, from pastoral
scenery to portraits. The retrospective also presents a vast collection
of archives and historic records that will allow viewers to browse the
annals of history in association with shifts in artistic trends and
experiments under various artistic movements. The artist, who studied
western art in Japan during the colonial era, has sought to express
elements and perspectives of Korean art, fused with his sentiment about
the hometown. The current exhibition features hidden masterpieces
including some unveiled for the first time in a public institution.
“We are delighted to present an exhibition shedding light on artist Lee
In-sung as the first in a series of special exhibitions dedicated to
showcasing modern masterpieces since the reopening of the Deoksugung
Palace Annex,” said NMOCA Director Chung Hyung-min. “The exhibition is
of much significance, especially to art historians and field experts but
also to general audiences as Lee’s works -- which are rarely on view in
public spaces -- may be easily understood by anyone, arousing heartfelt
passion and emotions.
An exhibition not to miss as it offers a rare occasion to appreciate the
extraordinary vision of this great artist, who extended the definition
of “Korean-ness” during the colonial period.
From September to December, the centennial celebration will travel to
the Daegue Art Museum in in Daegu, the birthplace and artistic hometown
of the painter.
Exhibition view of "Modern Masterpieces from the Museum Collection: Poetry and Dreams"
Also taking place in the museum’s second-floor galleries is “Poetry and
Dreams,” a showcase of the highlights of the museum’s collection
covering the beginning of the 20th century until the 1950s, a period of
Korean history marked by turbulence and hardship. Works by great masters
including Lee Jung-sup, Park Soo-keun and Kim Whan-ki are on display
alongside poetry that reveals the essence of the times and the dire
circumstances.
Along with the reopening, the Deoksugung branch has transformed into a
place where you can be sure of indulging in masterpieces from the modern
era at all times. The museum also no longer charges admission fees, so
more people may enjoy Korean modern art. For more information, please
visit the official website at: www.moca.go.kr
"The Empire of Korea and the Modern Era" on view at the National Museum of Korea
On May 25, the National Museum of Korea also reopened the Joseon Dynasty
V Gallery after undergoing a partial renewal of its permanent galleries
dedicated to representing the final part of the museum’s Korean history
series. “The Empire of Korea and the Modern Era” showcases the
modernization of Korea, as well as artwork and relics from the end of
the Joseon Dynasty, the Empire of Korea, and the colonization period.
The exhibition begins with a description of the advent of the Empire of
Korea during which modern ideas and concepts were introduced to Korea
together with a variety of Western goods. On view at the exhibition
rooms are the seal and medals of the Empire of Korea, a locomotive,
phonographs, cameras, and telephones, all of which attest to the
dramatic changes in people’s quotidian lives. A number of texts, visual
records, and images of the era published by western visitors to Korea at
the time illustrates of the country from a different, genuine
perspective.
The exhibition introduces Korean paintings of the era and how they were
affected by western drawing techniques while preserving their own
identity. A landscape painting by An Jung-sik (1861–1919) Baegakchunhyo
is a good exemplar showing the western impact on Korean art during the
period. The Portrait of Lee Gyu-sang drawn by an unknown artist invites
visitors to observe the changes in artistic styles after the
introduction of photography in Korea. Part of the exhibition is
dedicated to showcasing the social and cultural changes that occurred in
Korean society during the era, including the advocacy of ”free love.”
For more information, please visit the official website at: www.museum.go.kr
Sourced from Korea.net
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