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ARCO 2007: a Huge Korean festival in Madrid this February

Just received from the organisers of ARCO 2007 in Madrid. Film, music, dance, literature and of course contemporary art. To call it a feast undersells it. And that’s not all: this is just the stuff they know about already. There’s some other stuff they haven’t finalised.

I haven’t taken all this in yet, but I thought I’d post it straight away to make sure you got your tickets sorted out. Time to escape to Spain, everyone. Or ask them to ship everything to London once they’ve finished with it.

I’ll let you know when I hear more, and if anything more coherent strikes me once I’ve had a proper chance to read the information below. I’ve also got a list of the Korean galleries and artists who’ll be exhibiting (other than the ones mentioned below) which I’ll post when I have a moment. (Bear in mind that the following is translated from the original Spanish, so there may be a couple of glitches with the language).

Exhibitions of Korea in Madrid

“Corea Ahora” (Korea Now), the year of Korean Culture in Spain

ARCO Madrid - Korea

In Europe, Korea is recognized superficially as a divided Asian country or a 21st century high-tech power represented by IT technology. Although Europeans are familiar with the name of ‘Corea’ daily seen on their household appliances, the country’s history, tradition, and culture and arts still remain unknown. If Korea’s IT technology played the role of acquainting them with the country’s existence, its contemporary arts will be able to further enrich its name. Through our events, we would like to introduce contemporary Korean culture and arts that are being more and more widely praised throughout the world, based on its unique and creative characteristics.

The programme “Corea Ahora” (Korea now) conveys the purpose of the overall events, which is to introduce the contemporary Korean culture and arts which originate from the country’s unique tradition. Also it is it is attempted to gain broader understanding of Korean culture by comprehensively illuminating various fields of contemporary Korean art and to promote overseas activities of Korean artists, by building the basis of cultural exchanges with Spain.

“Corea Ahora” includes a big programme with parallel activities and also the participation of Korea as invited country at ARCO’07.

Artistic Exhibitions

Nam June Paik’s Vision of Korea — Fantastic and Hyperreal

Venue: Telefonica Fundacion
Open: 13 February, 2007. From 10 February until May 20, 2007
Artist: Nam June Paik
Person in Charge: Kim Hong-hee (Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation)
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07, Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation / Nam June Paik Museum, Fundacion Telefonica, Casa Asia
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Telefonica: Santiago Munoz Bastide, Casa Asia: Menene Gras
Character of Event: Nam June Paik Memorial Exhibition

It is importantly noted that Nam June Paik’s works, combination of western technology and eastern thought, show influence of Asian and Korean tradition such as Zen Buddhism, shamanism, randomness, chance, irregularity. By selecting works representing Korean historical figures and expressing Korean influence, we are trying to show what “Koreanness” might have meant to the cosmopolitan artist Nam June Paik and how he interpreted and incorporated it into his works. It is meaningful that the Nam June Paik Museum, soon to be established in Korea, will organize this exhibition. This will offer a different curatorial focus, and give overseas viewers the chance to discover and rediscover the world of Nam June Paik.

Any workpieces will be “Tangun, as a Scythian King” (Collection : Leeum Samsung Museum of Art), “Communication/Transportation” (Collection : Busan Museum of Modern Art), “The hundred-and-eight torments of mankind” (Collection : Gyeongju World Culture EXPO Foundation), ” Doleman” (Collection : Gwangju Biennale Foundation), “Hippocrates Robot” (Collection : Sungkok Museum), “TV Buddha” (Collection: Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation), “Rainbow-stripes I”, “Rainbow-stripes II” (Collection : National Museum of Contemporary Art) and others.

Post new age generation in Korea

Venue: Canal de Isabel II
Date: February 2007
Artist: FLYING CITY (OAK Jung HO, JANG Jong kwan, JEON Yong Seok) | MIXRICE | OASIS PROJECT (KIM Youn hoan et KIM Kang) | LEE Yong-baek | AN Jung ju | Kira Kim | SIREN EUN-YOUNG JUNG | MIN Ji-Ae | KO Seung-wook | KIM Sang-gil | Debbie HAN | PARK June Bum
Person in Charge: Genevieve Breerette (Former journalist for Le Monde, France, specializing in contemporary art and Independent Curator)
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Sohyun Ahn
Spain Counterpart: Canal Isabel II: Pilar de Navascues
Character of Event: Young Perspective — Alternative Spaces

This exhibition will be an opportunity to introduce 12 Korean young artists, who have shown their works in Seoul (or in Pusan), but were not really engaged in the circuit of galleries system. They are involved in experimental artistic activities: video, photography, multimedia installations that enable to mix drawings and paintings with the moving images. The purpose of the exhibition is to show their specific sensibility and their generation’s preoccupation not limited to the boundary of Korea.

Intermediae-Minbak

Venue: Intermediae
Date: From 13 February until 19 February, 2007
Artist: Kim Joon | Seung Joon Choi | Byun Ji Hoon | Jang Woo Suk | Kim Taijoong | Yangachi | MTIS Project Team (Taeyoon Choi, Cheon Pyo Lee, and Tellef Tellefson) | Minha Yang | Choi U Ram | Seung Joon Choi | Kyunghyun Min | Kim Ki Chul
Person in Charge: Dooeun Choi (Curator, Art Center Nabi)
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Intermediae: Maria Bella, Frank Buschmann
Character of Event: Media art, Co-production by Art Center Nabi and Intermediae

Art Center Nabi, which has conducted projects focused on technology and media arts, attempts to present its key field of media arts through various aspects of Korea, which is a forerunner in media industry. Under joint planning efforts with Intermediae in Spain, the exhibition show will provide a foundation for continued exchanges between the two countries.

Some Art pieces: “love shaker 2.0” (Kim Joon, Seung Joon Choi), “Wind” (Byun Ji Hoon), “Delivery_ARCO.zip” (Jang Woo Suk, Kim Taijoong), “Sound Looking” (Kim Ki Chul) and others.

Spirit of Asia by Korean Photographers, Korean Documentary Photos

Venue: Real Sociedad Fotográfica
Date: February 2007
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Intermediae: Maria Bella, Frank Buschmann
Character of Event: New Style of young photographers

This exhibition is aimed at displaying the competence of Korean photographers and the spirit of Asia through documentary-style works that carry the insights from photographers with global-level artistic perfection. From the northern region of East Russia or Siberia, to Korea, China, Vietnam, and Tibet, where the living environment is undergoing drastic changes, the Korean artists have worked hard to discover the human spirit that endures such changes and the colors and images that symbolize the spirit. These artists have departed from traditional and journalistic documentary style and strengthened symbolism and decorativeness, while still main.

Korean traditional Design captured by Joo Myung Duck’s photos

Venue: Circulo de Bellas Artes
Date: 7 February, 2007 until 11 March, 2007
Artist: Joo Myung Duck
Person in Charge: Joo Myung Duck
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Circulo de Bellas Artes: Laura Manzano
Character of Event: Photos of Joo Myung Duck

The traditions and folk customs of “Old Korea” are now obscure and difficult to capture with a camera. What was common and ordinary five decades ago is rare and often expensive now. As a result, photos by Joo Myung Duck are invaluable for its portrayal of scenes typical of a past era. These black and white prints taken by Joo Myung Duck will show the true beauty of own cultural roots of Korea.

Trace Roots: Unfolding Korean Stories

Venue: Alcalá 31
Date: February 2007
Artist: Sun K. Kwak | Michael Joo | Lee Jong Sang | Son Bong Chae | Kim Jong-ku | Lee Soo Kyung | Kim Sang Yeon | Lee Ufan | Whang In-kie | Choi Jung Hwa
Person in Charge: Ahn Mi-Hee, Chief of Exhibition Team of the 6th Gwangju Biennale.
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Character of Event: A selection from the First Chapter of ’06Gwangju Biennale

“The First Chapter_Trace Root : Unfolding Korean Stories” traces in a diachronic fashion the root of Korean spirit running through contemporary art culture. By broadening the scope of Korean art beyond its traditional regional and temporal definitions, this exhibition intends to track the process of modernization and globalization and the influence of Korean philosophy within the world of art.

Some workpieces of the exhibition: “Bodhi Obfuscatus” (Michael Joo), “Mobile Landscape” (Kim Jong-ku), “Translated Vases” (Lee Soo Kyung).

Korean New Wave Design

Venue: Museo de Arqueria
Opening Party: 13 Feb
Date: 6 February 2007 until 25 March 2007
Artists: Sang-jin Lee | Jinoo Park | Sang-hun Lee | Dae-seong Kim | No name no shop | Lee Jangseop | Jang Minseung | Joo Sangyeon | Seo Seungmo
Person in Charge: Kim Sang-kyu
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Arqueria: Ines Sanchez, Manuel Castillo Rubio
Character of Event: Design Exhibition

Korean design is showing affordable relationship between objects, space, and people. We will demonstrate in this exhibition the works that reveal an effort to reinstate craft and show an object composed into an architectural structure. These works will rediscover their values that have been shaded by the mass manufactured merchandise and brands.

Some workpieces: “Bookmark” (Sang-jin Lee), “Spaghetti Chandelier” (Jinoo Park).

Site specific installation: Forty-nine Rooms (Public Art)

Venue: Casa Encendida
Date: 13 February 2007 until 31 March 2007
Person in Charge: Kyuchul Ahn
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Casa Encendida: Ignacio Cabrero Rodriguez
Character of Event: Site specific work

Creative and passionate artists of Korea presents new possibilities for culture and art with their design public art projects that show the “power of artistic imagination”. This exhibition will give the public new cultural experiences by introducing various elements of contemporary art to the spaces around them.

Performance & Music programme

Kim Geum Hwa- Korean Shaman Ritual

Venue: Matadero Madrid (ARCO hall)
Date: 10 February 2007 (12-14 p.m.)
Person in Charge: Kim Geum Hwa/ Won Jung Choi (Coordinator of Performing arts)
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Conde Duque: Alicia Navarro
Character of Event: Korean Shaman Ritual

Introducing Korean Shaman Ritual based on originality of Korean tradition and arts. The ritual is conducted by Kim Geum Hwa, one of the most charismatic shamans in Korea, who has been designated “Living National Treasure”.

“Let me change your name..”

Venue: Cí­rculo de Bellas Artes
Date: 14 Feb until 15 Feb., 2007
Artist: Eun Me Ahn Dance Company
Person in Charge: Eun Me Ahn /Won Jung Choi
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Circulo de Bellas Artes: Rosa Maria Molleda, Bruno Fernandez Blanco
Character of Event: Contemporary Dance (“Let me change your name..”)

Introducing Korean Contemporary dance trend, by showing interactive and experimental style of Eun Me Ahn’s dance. Creating her own vernacular articulation of the tanztheater flux of the German dance Scene, Ahn became celebrated a cultural icon of Korea.

Uhuhboo Project

Venue: Casa Encendida
Date: 13 Feb 2007
Artist: Young Indie band
Person in Charge: Uhuhboo / Won Jung Choi
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Ignacio Cabrero Rodriguez
Character of Event: Contemporary Music and performance (Young Indie band)

This experimental underground band employs a variety of instruments including some traditional Korean instruments. As one of the most unique and interesting bands of recent Korea, their experimental sounds and performances fit the dynamic and energetic characteristic of the place (La Casa Encendida) perfectly.

Ensemble TIMF

Venue: MNCARS
Date: 26 Feb 2007
Person in Charge: Jorge Fernandez Guerra (Director of Centro de Arte Reina Sofia) / Won Jung Choi
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07/ MNCARS
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Jorge Fernandez Guerra
Character of Event: Musica contemporanea de COREA (participa en el Festival de Musica Internacional de Tongyeoung)

TIMF Ensemble was founded in 2001 as an ambassador of publicity for Tongyeong International Music Festival which now becomes the center of contemporary music in Asia. TIMF Ensemble’s diverse repertoire ranges from classical to Korean contemporary music and it has been marked for its contribution to increasing contemporary music listeners and enthusiasts.

Cinema and Literature

KIM Ki-Duk Retrospective and Korean Film Special

Venue: Filmoteca
Date: 12 Feb until 25 Feb 2007
Participating Directors: Im Sangsoo | Kim Jee-woon | Lee Jun Ik | Lee J-yong | Lee Yoon Ki | Kim Tae-yong | Kang Yi-kwan | Noh Dong Seok | Yoon Jong-bin | Kim Dong-won
Person in Charge: Hyosook Hong, Programmer
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07 / Filmoteca
Assitant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Filmoteca: Roberto Cueto
Character of Event: Korean Director, one of the most celebrated directors in the international film festival circuit and a presentation of latest outstanding Korean films).

Screening all the films of KIM Ki-Duk, one of the most celebrated directors in the international film festival circuit and a presentation of latest outstanding Korean films and Screening films of the future leading directors of Korean cinema.

Hong Sang Soo Retrospective

Venue: Casa Encendida
Date: February 2007
People in charge: Casa Encendida and the Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Hosted by: The Organizing Committee of Korea at ARCO’07
Assistant: Joowon Yuk
Spain Counterpart: Casa Encendida: Luicia Casani
Character of Event: Korean Director, one of the most celebrated directors in the international film festival circuit

Screening all the films of Hong Sang Soo, one of the most celebrated directors in the international film festival circuit.

Korean Literature Program

Venue: Cí­rculo de Bellas Artes
Date: 15 and 16 February, 2007

One thought on “ARCO 2007: a Huge Korean festival in Madrid this February

  1. Uhuhboo Project! If only I didn’t already have tickets for another event following Feb.13 that would be a most interesting time to visit Madrid…

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