ACF 894: Works of quilt master KIM Haeja will be on exhibit at The Korea Society

10,000 Threads
The collected works of KIM Haeja
The Korea Society

950 Third Avenue at 57th Street, NYC

(Entrance on 57th Street, south-west corner of the intersection)

February 22 - March 31, 2011

Traditional Korean quilting, with its unique “nubi” line-stitching, is elevated to a high art under the masterful hands of award-winning artisan Haeja Kim. A designated holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property award by the Korean government for her efforts at preserving Korea’s artistic heritage, Kim meticulously line-stitches layers of batting and fabric into fine garments and coverings. The tiny stitches are employed over each article in a deceptively simple pattern, with smaller stitching highly valued and the mark of a true expert.

Gallery Reception
Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6-8 PM

RSVP here.

Nubi textiles are thought to have originated among Buddhist monks, who valued its strength, simplicity, and insulation against Korea’s frigid winters. Lay people employed it for traditional dress and soldiers for defense against the cold and added physical protection. However, the hand-craft of nubi largely disappeared in modern times with the introduction of the sewing machine.

Master Kim has been breathing new life into the art ever since she surprised visitors to the Korea Annual Traditional Art Exhibition two decades ago with 3mm-5mm nubi stitchwork—a feat, not seen for a century, that won the Prime Minister’s Award. Today, she is much sought after as a teacher and master of the form. In her humble and elegant rural studio, surrounded by attentive student apprentices, she displays a unique dedication to craft, hand-processing her fabrics with natural dyes like indigo, safflower, and charcoal. Her work has been exhibited in Korea, Japan, China, and France. This exhibition at The Korea Society represents Kim’s first major U.S. showing.

The items selected for this special showing will be grouped in three parts:
Feb 22 - March 4 Children's Clothing
March 7-18 Adult Clothing
March 21-31 Children's Ceremonial Clothing

ACF 801: Korean Architecture and Design Exhibition & Reception @ The Korea Society

Image Credit: Harvard GSD Seminar Participants

Architecture and Design in Korea
Cross-Disciplinary Exhibition
December 7, 2010 - February 10, 2011

Opening Reception and Panel Diescussion
When: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 from 6-9 PM
Where: The Korea Society, 950 Third Ave @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC
Building entrance is on 57th Street,
South-West corner of the intersection
RSVP

The Korea Society, in cooperation with the architectural firm Single speed Design (SsD), the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and The Architectural League of New York, presents Convergent Flux: Korea, the first cross-disciplinary exhibition of Korean architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning and design mounted in New York City.

This exhibition examines the built environment and continuously emerging and hybridized conditions that have accompanied Korea’s rapid growth. The program extends The Korea Society’s recent Design Currents lecture series, as well as a Harvard Graduate School of Design lecture series and exhibition.

For more information at The Korea Society website, click here.

ACF 726: Through Eastern Windows exhibition opens this Thursday at The Korea Society

Through Eastern Windows:
Prints by Elizabeth Keith
and Traditional Korean Hats

Elizabeth Keith, an intrepid traveler and visionary artist, first ventured to Asia almost a century ago, where she filled travel journals with lively, realistic sketches of Korea and other destinations. At the encouragement of a Japanese publisher, she translated her sketches and watercolors into etchings and woodblock prints. As author of Eastern Windows (1928) and Old Korea (1946), Keith sought to capture a “vanishing Korea,” and her work remains especially relevant today as a view into the Korea of her age.

Accompanying the woodblock prints, etchings, and watercolors on display is an array of traditional hats from the period. From horsehair to bamboo, the materials employed by the contemporaneous Korean artisans add context and texture to Keith’s work. The hats served to connote the wearer’s status, a theme also examined in Keith’s work.

The headpieces are on loan from the Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum, Korean Art and Antiques, and the collection of Lea Sneider.

The Elizabeth Keith woodblock prints, etchings and watercolor are on loan from the collection of Young-Dahl Song. The attendant photos and postcards are from the collection of Norman Thorpe.

This exhibition will run October 14th - December 2nd, 2010.

Opening Reception Thursday, October 14th, 2010:

5:00 PM Members Preview
6:00 PM Gallery Opening and Refreshments
- Gallery Talk with Young-Dahl Song

Click to RSVP.

There also will be a Korean Traditional Hat Making Workshop from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM every Monday from November 8th to 29th, 2010. (Instead of using the preceeding link, you may contact gallery director Jinyoung Kim or call 212.759.7525, ext. 316.)

Workshop Costs:
- Members $100
- Non-Members $125
- Material Fee $50

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Avenue@57th Street, 8th Floor, NYC.

The building entrance is on 57th Street, the South-West corner of the intersection.

ACF 703: "Autumn Leaves" performance piece at The Korea Society, October 7th

Park Sang-Won

Autumn Leaves in Stone Gardens: A Musical Journey

Autumn’s arrival, the splendor of leaves awash in color, and Resting Stones, Standing Stones on exhibit at The Korea Society Gallery inspire this evening of contemplative strings and flute. Kayagǔm master Park Sang-Won joins Chung Chang-Young on haegǔm and flautist Park Jung-Bae on tanso to perform several works. Master Park opens with Youngsan Hoesang, a Buddhist vocal piece that developed into a purely instrumental work in the early Chosǒn period. Kayagǔm Sanjo, an improvisational solo piece, offers a contemplative take on Korea’s most beloved folk song, Arirang. View Resting Stones, Standing Stones prior and after the performance, as well as traditional teas and sweets.

Thursday, October 7, 2010
- 6:00PM Refreshments
- 6:30PM Performance

The Korea Society is located at 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor. The entrance is on 57th Street.

$10 for members and students; $20 for nonmembers
(Walk-in registration will incur an additional charge of $5)

For more information or to register for the program, please contact Heewon Kim at 212-759-7525, ext. 355.

About the performer:

Sang Won Park is a master of the kayagǔm, a Korean 12 stringed zither dating back to the 5th century. Park's repertoire ranges from traditional music to contemporary and improvisational music. He studied at Seoul National University. He was a member of the Traditional Music Orchestra of Seoul and a researcher at the Academy of Korean Studies.

He made his western debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1979. He then tourned the U.S. and Europe's leading institutions. Les Amis De. L'Orient and Sono Disc in Pris have produced an album entitled Le kayagǔm de Park Sang Won.

ACF 675: Resting Stones, Standing Stones exhibition at The Korea Society, NY

Resting Stones, Standing Stones
The Korea Society
Exhibition runs September 16 - October 8

Gallery Opening and Reception
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
5:00 PM Members Preview
6:00 PM Gallery Opening
Free and open to the public

Renowned sculptor Jerry Wingren harnesses light and texture with the grace of a master and spirit of a monk. Residing on a mountaintop, this child of the North Pacific finds inspiration in 3-5-9 Korean numerology, and casts his resting stones in a manner sure to win admirers of contemporary Korean design.

The stones’ inner square allows the viewer to see within and beyond—employing both the Japanese ma, or negative space, and the Korean mieum, a character of basic sound and life's essence. Inclined to naturalism, Wingren creates bold, contemplative, contemporary—yet timeless—works.

To RSVP for the Gallery Opening Reception, click here.

The Korea Society is located at 3rd Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY. The entrance is on 57th Street near the South-West corner of the intersection.

ACf 518: Masks of Night Gallery Talk at The Korea Society this Thursday

Masks of Night

Faces from Traditional Korean Dance-Dramas

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Thursday, April 1st, 2010, there will be a Gallery Talk at The Korea Society entitled Korean Masked Dance-Drama: Enchanted Fertility Rite and Social Satire.

Theresa Ki-ja Kim, Professor Emeritus, Department of Theatre Arts, SUNY Stony Brook, will speak on "how Korea's unique tradition of masked dance-dramas masterfully blended fertility rite, social satire, and popular entertainment."

The talk is in conjunction with the current exhibition of masks that will run through May 28th, 2010. The gallery at The Korea Society is a perfect for an intimate experiencing of these objects from Korea's cultural past.

Gallery Talk on Thursday, April 1, 2010
6:00 PM - 6:30 Pm - Registration and Reception

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Presentation and Q&A

Register for the Gallery Talk online at http://www.koreasociety.org/, or for more information contact Heewon Kim at 212.759.7525, ext 355 or heewon.ny@koreasociety.org.

Gallery Hours

March 4, 2010 - May 28, 2010

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Korea Society

950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor

(Building entrance on SW Corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street

ACF 486: Masks of Night exhibition opens at The Korea Society (NY) tonight

Masks of Night

Faces from Traditional Korean Dance-Dramas

Just a reminder that the Opening Reception for The Korea Society's exhibition of masks used in Korean dance-dramas will be tonight, Thursday, March 4th, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM.

Evolved from ancient shamanic rituals into a form of popular theater, these dance-dramas were performed both at the Korean royal court and throughout the countryside. The exhibition will run from March 4th through May 28th, 2010. The gallery should prove perfect for an intimate experiencing of these objects from Korea's cultural past.

Also keep in mind that next month, on Thursday, April 1st, 2010, there will be a Gallery Talk entitled Korean Masked Dance-Drama: Enchanted Fertility Rite and Social Satire. Theresa Ki-ja Kim, Professor Emeritus, Department of theatre Arts, SUNY Stony Brook, will speak on "how Korea's unique tradition of masked dance-dramas masterfully blended fertility rite, social satire, and popular entertainment."

Gallery Talk on Thursday, April 1, 2010

6:00 PM - 6:30 Pm - Registration and Reception

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Presentation and Q&A

Register for the Gallery Talk online at http://www.koreasociety.org/, or for more information contact Heewon Kim at 212.759.7525, ext 355 or heewon.ny@koreasociety.org.

Gallery Hours

March 4, 2010 - May 28, 2010

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Korea Society

950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor

(Building entrance on SW Corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street

ACF 481: Exhibition of Korean Dance-Drama Masks at The Korea Society NY to open March 4th, 2010

Masks of Night

Faces from Traditional Korean Dance-Dramas

Opening Reception Thursday, March 4 2010, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

The gallery at The Korea Society (NY) will host an exhibition of masks used in Korean dance-dramas. Evolved from ancient shamanic rituals into a form of popular theater, these dance-dramas were performed both at the Korean royal court and throughout the countryside. The exhibition will run from March 4th through May 28th, 2010. The gallery should prove perfect for an intimate experiencing of these objects from Korea's cultural past.

There will also be a Gallery Talk entitled Korean Masked Dance-Drama: Enchanted Fertility Rite and Social Satire on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Theresa Ki-ja Kim, Professor Emeritus, Department of theatre Arts, SUNY Stony Brook, will speak on "how Korea's unique tradition of masked dance-dramas masterfully blended fertility rite, social satire, and popular entertainment."

Gallery Talk on Thursday, April 1, 2010

6:00 PM - 6:30 Pm - Registration and Reception

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Presentation and Q&A

Register for the Gallery Talk online at www.koreasociety.org, or for more information contact Heewon Kim at 212.759.7525, ext 355 or heewon.ny@koreasociety.org.

Gallery Hours

March 4, 2010 - May 28, 2010

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Korea Society

950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor

(Building entrance on SW Corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street

ACF 435: Korean Talismans of Protection at The Korea Society through January 29, 2010

Key Charm with a Medallion and Commemorative Coins

A rare collection of locks, latches, and key charms from the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910) are on view at The Korea Society through January 29, 2010. The objects are on loan from the Lock Museum in Seoul and are being shown in the U.S. for the first time.

Fish-Shaped Lock

These beautifully designed metal and wood objects come in myriad shapes and reveal the richly symbolic and exquisitely decorative dimensions of the traditional Korean aesthetic.

Clockwise from top right: Drum-shaped lock; Lock with silver inlay; Embroidered key charm

And here's a suggestion: If you're going to see tomorrow night's screening of Korean Ghost Stories, which starts at 6:30 PM, arrive a bit early and check out this interesting and intimate exhibit.

For further info and gallery hours, click here.

The Korea Society
950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor
(Building entrance on SW corner of 3rd Ave. and 57th St.)