A fluent dialogue between East and West

Part of American painter Andrew Wyeth's "Marriage" (1993), which is carried in the book "Picturesque Life - An Artistic Encounter of East and West".

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By Noh Hyun-gi

The difference between Eastern and Western art is apparent; the disparity in material, composition, colors, and subject matter is often considered to reflect an innate clash between the two sets of cultures.

"Picturesque Life - An Artistic Encounter of East and West", an essay compilation by Son Chul-ju and Lee Ju-eun, gently disputes this idea by connecting the two worlds effortlessly.

The book is almost like a collection of letters. Throughout, Son eleborates a certain emotion, for example happiness, through works of art that best match his feelings. Then, Lee responds with her thoughts on

"Picturesque Life - An Artistic Encounter of East and West"; Son Chul-ju and Lee Ju-eun: 292pp., 17,500 won

the topic also accompanied by art pieces. Son, chief editor of Hakgojae, a Korean publishing company, mostly uses art from 18th century Korea. Lee, an arts education professor at Sung Shin Women's University, adorns her letters with works from Europe and the United States.

The captivating exchange between the two starts with the heavy question "what is life?" Lee opens his letter with the American painter Andrew Wyeth's "Marriage" (1993.) In this tempera-painting, the artist portrays his neighbors, an elderly couple, lying dead still in bed. Lee explains "I don't know why the painter titled this work 'Marriage!' Maybe he was thinking about death after meaningless days once you've lost your partner. Or was he painting a joyless and dead marriage he witnessed?"

Son replies with Lee In-sang's "Wa-un", an ink painting of storm clouds from 18th century Korea. He says "this painting reminds me that we must endure through the storm clouds to see the sun".

Following the poetic prologue, the dialogue continues for eleven chapters on varying emotions that people struggle to understand, achieve, forget and express: longing, attraction, self-reflection, infatuation, happiness and others.

The candid communication between the authors takes away our preoccupation with the difference in style or cultural context between Eastern and Western arts; indeed, rarely are the technical qualities of the paintings discussed.

The writers also draw from various interesting references. For instance, Lee quotes Clint Eastwood from the movie "Bridges of Madison County" to introduce attraction - "this kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime".

The soothing voices of the authors remind us of the universal emotions that give birth to every masterpiece.