Art and Culture

It's the start of a new week and our Michelle Kim is here to give us a fresh batch of arts and culture updates. Today, I hear she'll tell us about an exhibition that attempts to portray the Korean spirit.

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Hello Michelle

[Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young

So what is this exhibition about[Reporter : ] Last week, I went to a gallery showing some beautiful artworks that appeared to convey something new about both Korean culture and the Korean spirit.
But artist Kim Yong-Ok seems to have loftier aims. Through her exhibition "Arirang Spirit", she encourages visitors to imagine a better future for Korea.

The paintings of Kim Yong-Ok are steeped in symbolism and aim to portray what she calls the "Arirang Spirit", the title of her latest exhibition at Tong Keun Gallery in Insa-dong, central Seoul.
The works borrow elements from the four trigrams of the Korean flag -- which symbolize justice, fruition, wisdom and vitality.
The rich reds, golds and blacks dominating the works create a sense of passion and determination.
A focal point of the works is the mandala, a circular image that often appears in Buddhism and Hinduism and has spiritual significance.

[Interview : Kim Yong-Ok, Artist] "The mandala signifies the heart. The mandala in the middle of the paintings represents the inner mirror that helps the individual find oneselfٶ

One visitor, the Venerable Hye-moon, sees her work as a prescription for the future.

[Interview : Ven. Hye-moon, Visitor] "Through her artwork, Kim seems to be letting go of this world, filled with war and power struggles, to portray a more peaceful and organized Korea. The exhibition title, 'Arirang Spirit', is an example of what the country needs for the future".

In comments that seem to underscore this idea, Kim said that through her works, she is trying to express the idea that we can only make a better future for ourselves by examining our roots.
Her successful attempt to help viewers search for the "Arirang Spirit" is likely to inspire visitors throughout the exhibtion period.
The exhibition continues until the 25th of September at the Tong Keun Gallery in Insa-dong, central Seoul.

As a Korean myself, her artworks really speak to me, and I'm especially drawn to her ideas about the "arirang spirit".
Korea has come a long way in a short amount of time and I really think that's because of the strong will and convictions of our ancestors, and I think that is related to the "arirang spirit" that the artist tries to portray.

[Reporter : ] Exactly. As I was talking to her, she said she wanted to tell viewers, both Koreans and non-Koreans, that what Korea needs right now is the same conviction and determination that it had in the past in order to overcome the hardships of the future.

I agree with that and I'm not likely to forget about this exhibit, or the "arirang spirit", anytime soon. And now moving on, what else do you have for us[Reporter : ] The Venice Film Festival may be over but the films that were screened there will soon reach theaters worldwide. The film that won two of the festival's most prestigious awards, the best director award and the best actor award, is set to be released very soon. Take a look.

The U.S. premiere of "The Master" on Friday brought stars Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams to the red carpet once again.

In its debut at the Venice Film Festival last week, the film garnered an award for Paul Thomas Anderson as best director and for Joaquin Phonix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who shared the best actor prize.

The story of a charismatic intellectual known as "The Master", played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and his creation of a faith-based organization, progresses as his right-hand man, played by Joaquin Phoenix, constantly questions both the organization and its creator.

Anderson, the film's director, dealt with months of controversy before the film's release, due to the rumors that the film was based on Scientology.

Perhaps it was this controversy that made the director and cast suddenly shy on the red carpet.

Both Anderson and Joaquin Phoenix avoided interviews but Amy Adams was willing to talk about her character, Peggy, with the media.

[Interview : Amy Adams, Actress] "Peggy is fierce. I wouldn't want to run into her in a dark alley. She is a woman who is a true believer and fiercely protective of her man".

"The Master" is screening at the Toronto International Film Festival this month and will be released in theaters in the U.S. on September 21st.

This definitely looks like a must-see film. What can we expect from it[Reporter : ] I would encourage viewers to sit back and watch how the story unfolds and to enjoy the acting of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix. Both are incredible actors.

I'll definitely look forward to seeing this movie. And now, you have the events bulletin for us, right[Reporter : ] Yes, and today it contains a concert by Sonya that will be held on the 14th and 15th of September, a musical based on a classic novel by Ernest Hemmingway, and an ice show that will be going on for 9 days at the Mokdong Ice Rink later in the month. Here are the details for these three events.

[Reporter : ed: jenny]
Singer and musical theater s tar Sonya performs solo at Yongsan Art Hall from September 14th to the 15th. She was part of the cast of the hit TV show "The Masterpiece of Legend" but is better known for her starring roles in a series of musicals, including "Jack The Ripper", "West Side Story", "The Three Muskateers" and more.

Ernest Hemmingway's classic novel "The Old Man and The Sea" has been turned into a musical in Korea. Running until September 30th at Daehangno's Open Theater, the musical vividly portrays the story of the old man and his life, philosophy and dreams through his time on the ocean.

The Bolshoi on Ice 2012 comes to Korea for nine days from September 29th to October 7th. The ice show features Olympians from all around the world and major figure skating stars past and present. It will be held at the Mokdong Ice Rink in western Seoul.

Thank you for the update

[Reporter : ] My pleasure

SEP 10, 2012

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr