This year’s Korean Artists Association residency at the KCC runs from 12 – 30 August this year. It’s nice that they’ve got nearly two weeks this time – fully deserved on the basis of the quality of past residencies. The opening evening – for which registration is essential (via [email protected]) – this time contains a … [Read More]
Month: July 2014
The experience of North Koreans in New Malden
A panel session about the experiences of North Korean defectors in New Malden is at first sight a strange event to promote as part of an arts festival. But the 7th New Malden Arts Festival overlaps with Malden Fortnight, a celebration of New Malden’s varied community, of which Koreans are of course a significant part. … [Read More]
Jaeho Park: Obsession, at Mokspace
New’s of the latest exhibition at Mokspace: Jaeho Park: Obsession 29th July – 9th August 2014 Mokspace | 33 Museum Street | London | WC1A 1LH | www.mokspace.com Monday – Saturday 11am – 6pm | Sunday by appointment. MOKSPACE warmly invites you to indulge in ‘Obsession,’ an exposition by Korean artist and photographer Jaeho Park. … [Read More]
Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Brush – a charming piece of theatre for children
Last year at the Fringe we had Climb a Willow to the Sea God’s Palace, a lovely 45-minute performance from Kkumdongi Puppet Theatre telling a Korean fable using puppetry and painting geared towards a younger audience. This year for the younger festival-goers we will have Theatre Haddangse performing Brush. The company gave a special preview … [Read More]
Report from the KCC Artist Talk: Shakespeare interpretations in East Asia
I hadn’t been to any of the events for Seoul in the City, part of this year’s City of London festival. The symposium at London’s Korean Cultural Centre for Shakespeare’s plays in contemporary East Asian languages seemed particularly interesting to me. My previous experience of Shakespeare in East Asia was confined to Ran, Akira Kurosawa’s … [Read More]
Shin Meekyoung’s Plinth Project, two years on
Almost exactly two years ago – on 23 July 2012 – Shin Meekyoung’s equestrian statue of the Duke of Cumberland was hoisted into position in Cavendish Square. I happened to be in the area on 24 July 2014 so I paid a visit. The soap from which the statue is made has shown itself to … [Read More]
In pictures: the Doctor Who roadshow comes to Seoul
In connection with a publicity screening of episode 1 of series 8 in Seoul on 9 August, the Beeb is running a little promotional campaign involving the Tardis. Here’s a sample of the photos from the hashtag #tardisinseoul. You can also try the hashtag #타디스인서울 or #닥터후. Download your own tardis here to cut out … [Read More]
Gangnam’s Sherlock-themed cafe
Check out Giacomo Lee’s post about a Sherlock-themed coffee shop in Gangnam called 221B. You can even order an Eggs Benedict to go with your Sherlock Coffee. Great attention to detail. Link: Gangnam’s Sherlock Themed Cafe, Medium.com, 4 July [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Jeehee Park — Elephant in the Room, at Hanmi Gallery
If you haven’t been to Hanmi Gallery to see Jeehee Park’s Elephant in the Room, it could well be that you are too late. Although the exhibition is due to close on 3 August, the nature of the work is not ideally suited to the hottest days of the year. The main installation in the … [Read More]
The Bristol Old Vic graduates come to London
If you’re free this Thursday lunchtime, come along to the Tristan Bates Theatre in near Cambridge Circus to support the MA graduates from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School performing in their London showcase. Among their ranks is South Korean actor Mina Kweon. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is an affiliate of the Conservatoire for … [Read More]
The Kimchi Slap (in case you haven’t seen it elsewhere)
Here’s the full clip from the MBC TV Drama Everybody, Kimchi. The incident in question is at 1’30”: If you’re happy with .gifs, here’s the cut-down version. I wonder how many shirts were ruined rehearsing this scene… [Read More]
Meekyoung Shin’s Cabinet of Curiosities in Lincolnshire
Bridging the gap between craft and conceptual art, Meekyoung Shin’s exquisitely crafted work is equally popular with critics and the public. Her new exhibition at the National Centre for Craft and Design opens on Saturday: Meekyoung Shin’s Cabinet of Curiosities 26 July – 2 November 2014 The Artist London and Seoul-based Korean artist Meekyoung Shin … [Read More]
My Dear Girl, Jin-young (사랑해! 진영아, 2013) review: late blooming, shifting desires
My Dear Girl, Jin-young deftly stands as one of the latest cinematic examples to show just how far the Korean Romantic Comedy genre has come over the years in its depictions of relationships, social issues and sexuality; the film’s intelligently realised themes beautifully wrapped up in a warm and genuinely funny, zombie filled tale. [Read More]
Artist Talk: THINK !N ART: What is Artistic Research?
You’re reminded that there is an artist talk to go with the current KCCUK exhibition on Thursday 31 July – a great opportunity to meet the philosopher who inspired the exhibition with his ideas. THINK !N ART: What is Artistic Research? Date: July 31 at 6pm, 2014 Venue: Multi-purpose Hall, Korean Cultural Centre UK Speakers: … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: MFA Degree show at Goldsmiths
It’s not always easy to get to the degree shows of the various art colleges, but I managed to sneak away from work one lunchtime and pop down to New Cross Gate to take a few installation shots at the Goldsmiths MFA 2014 degree show. Four Korean artists were showing, and I was lucky enough … [Read More]
Dance videos, tasteless films and hair promotions – different ways to annoy the DPRK authorities
It’s not just the Americans and the Brits who annoy the North Korean establishment with their irreverant lèse-majesté. Now the Chinese are doing it too. So far the video has been left online: And a reminder of the two other things that recently got the DPRK establishment annoyed: an upcoming American comedy film, and a … [Read More]