Yongin, Korea
The pottery journey has taken me to some rather interesting places, from the Pueblo Spanish influenced art community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to the quaint charming mountain town of Prescott, Arizona, down to the southern desert of Arizona's biggest metropolis Phoenix, and to the breezy, ocean blue and picturesque city of San Diego. On these adventures I have been privileged to experience different communities and have met some interesting people on the way.
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| our friendly guide and interpretor, Kelly |
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| downtown city of seoul |
This month's journey took me more than 6300 miles to the southern pennisula of South Korea, and to the modern, contemporary and busy cities of Yongin and Seoul. Cities that share a rich history of Korean culture, history, traditions and a modern lifestyle that is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds.
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| one of a few artists from the association who invited us to her home and studio, which was a highlight for all of us. |
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| inside the Leeum Samsung Museum of art |
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| ceramic artist in his traditional Korean wardrobe |
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| my artwork, proudly displayed in the gallery |
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| Monet enjoying the food which was no short of amazing. |
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| inside the gallery at Yongin |
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| all us in the artists studio |
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| one of many interesting pieces of public art that is display all around the city |
Being affiliated with the Muckenthaler Culture Center, as an instructor, I was invited to participate in an international art exhibit, involving Korean artists and artists from Fullerton. The Muckenthaler has several sister cities around the world, Yongin, Korea being one of them and it is through these sister city programs that cultures come together to explore and understand their ways of life, through the arts.
The Korean fine art association of Yongin, Korea its artist, staff and administrative members collectively came together and graciously showed us a damn good time in their country. Through their kindness and hospitality they organized seven wonderful days of escorting us to the many wonderful cultural establishments throughout Yongin and Seoul. Art galleries, museums, restaurants, historical sites, performing arts, the modern metropolis of Seoul and the exquisite and the diverse cuisine that Korea has to offer were all part of a well planned intinerary
that made this cultural excursion insightful, memorable and just way too exciting.
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| apartment and condos in Yongin, Korea |
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| presentation of lotus tea |
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| the palace was a traditional and historical slice of heaven |
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| our Executive Director getting cozy on the floor |
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| yes it was cold, standing on a frozen lake |
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| the food was amazing, plenty of kimchi and other yummies |
Korea was really interesting and fun, the people, the city, the art and the food was just over the top, it was really cold, but it didnt really matter, because we we're so well taken care of and each day was, just as interesting as the other, that the coldness was just all part of the experience, of what is Korea, never a dull moment, oh the liquor Sojou kept us warm, plus all the beer, hite and cass, good times. One other highlight of the experience was being introduced to the multimedia visual artist and music composer Nam June Paik, he was the Andy Warhol of Korea, amazing, revolutionary and avante garde work, by one of Korea's premiere artist a visionary who was ahead of his times, there is an entire museum dedicated to this unusual yet genius of an artist in Yongin. Too see more pictures on the whole Korean excursion go to the page section on the right hand side and click "Korean pictures" and just scroll down. Thanks
