David LaChapelle @ SAC

There is an exceptional contemporary art show going on at the Seoul Arts Center featuring the photographic works of David LaChapelle. If you have ever seen the above photo at some time in your life than you might recognize other works such as:

(source) " Britney Spears: Portrait of a Young Pop Star on the Verge of Success" 1999

If not then let me reassure you that you likely have seen other works by him, as he was popular for a while creating over-the-top pop star shots.

But the show at the SAC is more like a retrospective than a showcase and through the weaving gallery path, you are taken through his most iconic works to ones that show his struggle with certain themes. Also there is a video screening room where you can see how he creates his photographs in a very artsy-video kind of way.

Overall, it is a must see show and I advise you to leave any conservative values you might have about full frontal nudity (both male and female) at home. Indeed, you are in store for some very blazon photography that is more satisfying to look at than just ordinary pictures of nudity. (Whatever those may be.. ;) 

In fact, the most enjoyable part of the show is watching other people look at the works. When I first came in there was a group of highschoolers, on a tour. After their guided introduction, they were allowed to walk around. Mostly the first set of works to see are large prints of celebreties in full nude or partially nude spreads. There were sheepish grins by boys and bugged-eyes by girls to be seen on their young faces.

But the rest of the show starts to calm down a bit from the overtly sexual and gets more into a refection of our contemporary world.

(source) "The House at the End of the World" 2005 

Clearly you start to get into his "world" and due to the large scale of each photograph start to see details and imagery that is definitely iconic and was not haphazardly placed. For the most part, his photographs, are stages that he created while using props and popular objects.  Spotting a loaf of Wonder Bread or a Taco Bell cup, is just a few examples of hidden pop-cultural items in some of his works.

For the most part you get a sense of the world as one run by popular culture and at the same time trashed by it. You leave feeling a connection to something greater but also a little bit more twisted. 

Again I highly recommend you get off your butt and get out to this show, as in my opinion, contemporary works such as these are not too often brought to Korea as they should be. Bring your date, wife or hubby and have a good thorough conversation afterwards. 

The SAC is located in the Seocho area of Seoul near the Nambu Bus Terminal or Line #3.

Take exit 5 and turn left at the nearest street crossing. Follow this uphill and slighty jeering path. You then find yourself atop a large road and across from you is the structure known as the SAC. Turn right and head towards the major crosswalk. 

The David LaChapelle show costs 13,000 won for regular adults and you buy tickets downstairs at the ticket kiosk area. Then you go upstairs to the Hangaram Design Museum, and proceed. 

There are several cafes within the SAC, some offering expensive morsels to dine on and others coffee and small sandwiches. Across the street is a Starbucks and CoffineGaru...(whatever it is called). Also along that crooked path to the SAC was spotted a cutesy cafe with a sign promising "panninis". Maybe check that out as well. 

Anyways, this cold season is good for warming up in a gallery or museum, so why not see this show? Certainly some of the more sensational photos might get you a little steamy. ;)

Fireworks Go Boom!

The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is an event that gets you out of the house and into a park with practically everyone else in the city. Indeed, it is an event to enjoy the outdoors and the spectacle of fiery light in the sky. But it is also one that tests your ability to be around hundreds of thousands of people.

People come in pairs or in packs and they stake out a spot. I ended up near the river as it boasted being a better viewing area. People sat and waited as the sun went down.

Sellers were nearby with blankets, sitting pads, kim-bop and all sorts of things necessary to sit out in the cold with. I for one was wearing jeans and three layers with a few blankets and found myself feeling pretty cozy.

Then the sound of "boom" was heard and the sky was lit up. The first team was Japan and they put on quite an excellent show.

Seeing the sky lite up, I couldn't help but marvel at how ancient gun powder and fireworks are to human kind. I also felt a sense of comradeship with the thousands of other people at the park.

Indeed, the Korean crowd was a bit tough to please and they mostly went "ooo" and "aahhh" to the biggest fireworks shot in the sky.

The Portugal team was after the Japanese and their show was sufficient, but evoked just one gasp of excitement from the crowd.

Then came the final team, Korea, and you knew it was going to be special as things started off with a real bang. In fact Korea put on a great show and I was thoroughly impressed.

Throughout Korea's performance they liked to use high-beam search lights in sync with music. This was an interesting effect, but after a while became kind of a nuisance.

I think the best place to see the show was on the bridge, and many people seemed to have that figured out.

As you can see they also managed to get their hands on some very bright fireworks. The finale of the show was topped off with a big splash of color and fiery sprays here and there. The special part was when they turned the bridge into a waterfall of flowing light.

I've heard of this festival for a long time now being in Korea, and never got a chance to go. I am really glad I went. I wasn't too cold and the fireworks didn't make me stay out too late, either. Overall, I would highly recommend going next year as it can definitely put a special touch into your time here.

*PS bring some patience as leaving the place required one to walk like a penguin.

Preliminaries to the Seoul Drum Festival

If you happen to be in the City Hall section of town lately, on a weekend, and hear some drumming, well it's not in your head. From September 24th to the 26th Seoul is hosting a list of banging concerts for you to enjoy. This past weekend I met up with some ladies to enjoy the preliminaries where groups were competing for the finals.

As you can see I didn't catch the main program but still managed to see quite a feast of drumming.

Actually, what was on stage were schools giving their performance and trying to make it into the finals. I suppose my guests and myself included thought we were there for the big festival, but soon found out it was just a competition.

Despite this minor set back we still enjoyed our time together and took off for Tomatillo to have some delicious Mexican inspired lunch.

Afterwards we headed to the Cheonggyecheon to stroll along the path and enjoy a peaceful moment in Seoul.

I like the following picture because this couple reminds me of photos from the 1950's.

With Fall already here the sky has been a dazzling show of varying cloud formations and colors.

After getting some ice-cream we headed back to the festival arena to see some more performances before heading home. It seemed we were in the midst of catching the better acts, as things sounded and looked a whole lot more pumped up.

This group of highschool girls and boys were very lively and indeed you could tell they were giving it their all to the judges. The smiles seemed a bit forced, but I guess that is what you have to do.

 Accompanying their performance were movements made with fans and now and then they moved around their instruments.

Overall, they gave a smashing performance and I really hope they move on to the finals. Since the real festival is coming up this weekend, I would highly suggest checking it out and enjoying the fall air while experiencing some great culture.

Portrait Event for the Kolleen Park Exhibit

As part of the Kolleen Park Portrait Exhibit the organizers put on a sketching event. People were invited to come out and practice doing portraiture art.

Located at the Shinhan gallery in Yeoksam, Gangnam a small group gathered and enjoyed drawing from a live model. Mike Stewart led the way by giving us examples and pointers.

At first we sketched on white paper and then moved on to color, using conte-crayons. White pigment was for the highlights and dark for the shadows. I surely enjoyed practicing on the color paper and it gave me some ideas for my own art.

After all was said and done, we gathered up the artworks and put them next to each other. Can you figure out which one is mine?

Hint: It's the blue one...

 

Everyone got a complementary gift bag from Shinhan bank and we were allowed to take home our little box of conte-crayons, which was pretty cool. After everything, I stopped in over at the Kolleen Park portrait exhibit.

Although the pieces I submitted didn't get enough online votes to be put in to the gallery I think there was enough variety to warrant satisfaction.

I especially liked a few three-dimensional pieces such as the following pillow piece and one that uses applied crystals.

This event was a pleasure to go to, even though I feel more people could have showed up. Also I think folks were kind of shy and we didn't really get around to discussing the exhibit or our experience. 

Anyways, the show is still running if you want to see it.