Newsletter 06No. 36 2008. 6 ISSN 1975-4310

The exhibition, “Masterpieces in Ceramics from the V&A”, currently on dis-play at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center Gallery, will last until June 23.

Ceramics collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the world's greatestmuseum of art and design, are being shown for the first time in Korea. Thisexhibition of splendid artworks collected from all around the world, started onMarch 14, and has been well-received by visitors from all walks of life, fromexperts and office workers to children, as well as students majoring in ceram-ics and art history.

The V&A ceramics collections are unrivalled in terms of size and quality.Carefully selected from among 36,000 ceramic artworks of the collection, the117 exhibits are of great value, historically and artistically. It offers the lastchance to have a glimpse into world ceramic history and appreciate the his-tory of cultural exchanges among different regions in Korea.

The exhibition is open daily (including Saturdays, Sundays and public holi-days, but closed on Tuesdays) from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (till 9:00 p.m. onWednesdays). Admission will be 6,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for middleand high school students and 4,000 won for children (ages 4~12). Of theadmission fees, 1,000 won per ticket will be donated to UNICEF. A guideddocent tour is offered twice daily at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and children’sworkshops are also accompanied.

For more information,please visit www.vakorea.net or call 3789-5600, 5602~4

"M asterpiecesin Ceram icsfrom theV& A"exhibition tobeheld untilJune23

All Images V&A Images /Victoria and Albert Museum, London

KOREAN CULTURE CLASS - NATURAL DYEING

KOREA FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER NETWORK NEWS

ESSAY ALBERTO RIOTTO

Korean Language ClassesMonday (7:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) Beginners’ class 1, Beginners’ class 2, Beginners’ class 3Wednesday (4:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m.) Hangeul class, Intermediate class 4

(7:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) Intermediate class 2, Intermediate class 3, Advanced classFriday (7:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.) Hangeul class, Beginners’ class 4, Intermediate class 1

For more information on the Korea Foundation Volunteer, please visit the KFVNwebsite <http://volunteer.kf.or.kr>

June 14: 27th KFVN Orientation ClassJune 21: Korean Culture Class “Making Pottery”June 30: Korean Language Class level-test and regular meeting

- Anyone interested in taking the Korean Language Class should submit theapplication form and take a written test.

- For more details, please visit our website <www.kfcenter.or.kr/english>

KFVN EVENTS TO BE HELD IN JUNE 2008

I am Alberto from Italy. As my mother is a Korean, I could speak a little Korean. I came to live

in Seoul when my father was invited to Korea as a visiting professor. I started to learn Korean

at the Korean Language Class at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center several months ago.

I felt really great when I was placed in the advanced class at the placement test. I have long

wanted to enhance my Korean, and the Korean Language Class provided me with a great

opportunity to do this.

It is very interesting to learn Korean together with and talk to students from various countries

at the Korean Language Class. Instructors teach us Korean in an enthusiastic and interesting

way. They have us listen to music and songs, read news on the

Internet, and comprehend advertisements without seeing

images. I think this kind of teaching method is very good for

foreign learners. In fact, learning vocabulary and correct

pronunciation is more important than grammar when it comes

to language learning. Kindergartners can speak Korean,

even though they are unaware of grammar rules.

I want to work hard to speak perfect Korean. This is my

goal as well as duty to Korea, my mother’s native

country. Finally, I would like to express my

appreciation to the instructors of the KFVN Korean

Language Class.

A Korean Culture Class on natural dyeing was held on April 19

at Haneulmulbit, an institute of traditional natural dyeing at the

Bukchon Cultural Center in Seoul, under the instruction of Mr.

Hong Ruccaa. After listening to the explanation about natural

dyeing and its process, Korean Culture Class participants had

an opportunity to dye cloth with indigo. Filled with curiosity, the

participants were excited to unfold the cloth to find whether they

had created the patterns they wanted. Patterns on the cloth

dyed with indigo were as various and beautiful as the faces of

the participants. After experiencing natural dyeing, they moved to the Unhyeon

Palace to watch its 2008 cultural event-the reenactment of the royal wedding of

King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong. The culture class for April served as a

meaningful occasion for its participants to get closer to traditional Korean culture.

From Ancient to Surrealism: Meaning of“Masterpieces in Ceramics from the V&A”

Mr. Ian Blatchford, Deputy Director of the V&A Museum

The Victoria & Albert Museum holds what is widely regarded

as the most comprehensive collection of ceramics in the world,

with objects of the highest quality and historical importance, and

a total size of around 36,000. The Museum is currently

undertaking a $20 million refurbishment of the Ceramics

galleries in London and this provides a rare opportunity to tour

highlights from the collection.

The exhibition, “Masterpieces in Ceramics from the V&A”, will

travel to Seoul (first stop), Dusseldorf, Istanbul and Abu Dhabi.

We were delighted to have Seoul, and the Korea Foundation

Cultural Center, as the opening venue for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the ceramic traditions of great Asian nations, especially

China, Korea and Japan, are central to any history and reflect

the splendor of ceramics. During my visit I was able to see the

collections of the National Museum of Korea and Leeum and it

was a vivid reminder of glorious celadon and buncheong wares.

The second reason is that whilst the Museum has strong

curatorial links with Korea, this is, amazingly, the first time we

have undertaken an exhibition project in this country. The 117

objects in the exhibition tell a complex and fascinating story

about civilization itself; the power of trade and cultural

encounters; technical innovations sought by entrepreneurial

potteries; and of the highest quality demanded by difficult

patrons.

The exhibition contains a rare (2,500 B.C.) white unglazed

earthenware vessel from China, one of the earliest forms of

porcelain. As porcelain arrived in the West it excited wonder and

interest in the Middle East and the exhibition also contains a

charmingly simple Iraqi dish of around A.D. 800-900 which has

been painted with designs in cobalt blue. This innovation then

returned East and played a crucial role in the foundation of the

great “blue and white” tradition.

Europe did not ‘crack’ the secret of porcelain until 1709 in the

factories of the Elector (Prince) of Saxony. Once discovered, the

creation of complex and extravagant pieces became the highest

fashion amongst European monarchies.

Also on display are outstanding works from the 19th century

and fine examples of contemporary work. You can also see the

sheer pleasure that ceramics give creative artists in the colorful

work of Picasso or surreal creations of Richard Slee.

Excerpts from the contribution, which was carried on KF

Newsletter (Vol.16, No.5).

“CLAY, FIRE AND BEAUTY” - MASTERPIECE IN CERAMICS FROM THE V&A

..

2008 Korea Foundation Concert for Foreigners

Special Lectures on Traditional Greek Culture and Dance

The Greek culture class, which

commenced on May 6, will be

held every Thursday in June at 7

p.m. in the KF Cultural Center

Seminar Room. Please don't miss

this unique opportunity to learn

about traditional Greek culture

and dance. For more details, please visit our website: www.kfcenter.or.kr

Organized by the Embassy of Greece

Date: every Thursday of June at 7 p.m. ~ 9 p.m. (June 5, 12, 19, 26)

Venue: KF Cultural Center Seminar Room

Lecturer: Prof. Yanni Kritselas (Hansei University)

The Korea Foundation invites foreigners residing in Korea to an annual concert, “The Garden in Early Summer,” in the courtyard of

the Seoul Museum of History on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 7 p.m. The concert features famous Korean fusion folk musician

Chungeun Han and his band, who will present Korean classical music arranged into jazz and play standard jazz numbers with

Korean traditional musical instruments. Well-known pieces like “Misty” and “Mo’ Better Blues” are included in the program.

You will be in for a wonderful evening of early summer musical entertainment with this innovative daegeum player who is

expanding his music repertoire by working on various projects like fusion music and original soundtracks, accompanied by his band

playing various musical instruments.

These concerts have been held annually by the Korea Foundation since 2003 to enable foreigners to gain a better understanding of

Korean culture. Only those who make reservations in advance can gain admission to the concert, so if you wish to attend, please

ensure that you reserve your place by sending us an e-mail (kfcenter@kf.or.kr or 02-3789-5602) by no later than Friday, June 13.

ProgramOver the Rainbow

Mo’ better blues

Gymnopedie

Misty

Wandering Wind

A song for my daughter

Poppy

Morning

Flying dream

Blue Bossa

The second lecture series for 2008, “Chinese Art: the Dream of anEmpire that Yearned for Eternity” organized by the Korea FoundationCultural Center, will begin on June 3rd and last until August 5th. Thelectures will be held every Tuesday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.in the KF Cultural Center's Cinema Room. This program will provideparticipants with a rare chance to broaden the understanding of ourneighboring country by exploring its art from prehistoric to modern. Thislecture series will be conducted in Korean. Lectures in June will consistof “Chinese Ceramics I and II”, “Chinese paintings I and II”.

Regular Movie Screenings June Youth, The Moment

Korea Foundation Cultural Center 2008 Regular Lecture Series II-'Chinese Art: The Dream of an Empire that Yearned for Eternity'

Set in China in the 1950s, this film portrays the beautifullove story between an ordinary country girl and anelementary school teacher. Luo Yusheng, abusinessman in the city, returns to his hometown for thefuneral of his father who lived in his hometown for hisentire life as a teacher. While he is debating whether toaccept his mother’s unwavering request for a traditionalfuneral, he recalls the innocent and beautiful love sharedbetween his parents during their younger years.

Year of Production 1999 Running time 89 min.Director Yimou Zhang Language ChineseSubtitles Korean Rating All

TheRoad H om e (China)OnceIn aSum m er (Korea) H oney& Clover (Japan)

In the summer of 1969, Seok-yeong comes to arural area to participate in volunteering activities.However, he is not enthused about the entireexperience because he unwillingly comes to thearea to get away from his father. He happens tomeet Jeong-in, a librarian at the local library, and fallsin love with her at first sight. Jeong-in is also attractedto him. However, as their feelings toward each otherdeepen, his volunteering activities near an end.

Year of Production 2006 Running time 115 min.Director Geun-shik Jo Language KoreanSubtitles English Rating 12+

Dakemoto is an average man who can be a goodfriend, but lacks appeal as a boyfriend. As soon ashe meets Hagumi, with outstanding talent in art, hefalls in love with her. While Dakemoto's clumsy loveunfolds, his friend Mayama falls for an architecturaldesigner who is older than he is. Mayamadisregards Ayumi’s unrequited love toward the man.That summer, they start their own love affair.

Year of Production 2006 Running time 116 min.Director Masahiro Takada Language JapaneseSubtitles Korean Rating All

Monthly Brazilian Movie Screening

Two women, from opposite worlds, Louise and her maid Luzia, both share a passion for music and finding the perfect man. What can happen

during a luncheon where the desires of both women coincide and clash, while in the presence of two desirable men?

Year 2001 Running time 80 min. Director Betse de Paula Language Portuguese Subtitles English Rating 15+

LouisesW edding(O Casam entodeLouise)

Produced by Brazil-Korea AssociationDate: June 7 (Sat.) 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Chongdong Theater

NationalPoliceAgency

Namdaemun

Seoul Plaza Hotel

City Hall

Gwanghwamun

Sinchon

Seoul Station (JoongAng Ilbo Building)

Exit 6, Seodaemun Station,Subway Line 5

Exit 10, City Hall Station,Subway Line 2

Exit 9, City Hall Station,Subway Line 2

SeosomunCrossroads

Korean Air

Woori Bank

Korea Foundation Cultural Center,

JoongAng Ilbo Building, 1st floor,

7 Sunhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-759

• Tel: 3789-5600, 5602~4

• Fax: 3789-5606

• E-mail: kfcenter@kf.or.kr

• Homepage: www.kfcenter.or.kr

FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE

The Korea Foundation Cultural Center (KFCC) is now accepting applications fromorganizations that wish to use our galleries during the year 2009. Applicationsshould be submitted no later than June 30, 2008, and applicants will be notified ofour decision by July 31 after a review process including an outside screeningcommittee and the Foundation’s internal review of the applications. The KFCCoffers its space free of charge to organizations with a mandate to promoteinternational cultural exchange. Individual applicants are regrettably not eligible. Formore, please visit the KFCC website: www.kfcenter.or.kr.

Application for the Use of the Exhibition Galleries (2009)

Arab Cultural Festival ExhibitionPeriod: July 8 ~ 11Venue: KFCC Gallery Areum

Genesis: Works by Ariel Ruizi Altaba(Switzerland) and Yun-hee Toh(Korea)Period: July 17 ~ August 1Venue: KFCC Gallery Areum & Nuri

Cultural Center Events Scheduled for 2008 July