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Kansong Museum showcases Korean art relics from its collections

Kansong Museum showcases Korean art relics from its collections

Posted January. 04, 2019 07:30,   

Updated January. 04, 2019 07:30

한국어

Kansong Art Museum's exhibition at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in central Seoul is divided into five sections. The first space, which is open to the public for free, wraps up its exhibitions that has been held at the DDP for the past five years. The second section is dedicated to the history of Bosung High School, which played a central role in the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 against Japan's colonial rule of Korea, while the third space introduces Bohwagak, the former name of Kansong Museum of Art. "We focus on history telling to showcase real cultural properties and the detailed stories behind them," said Han Man-ho, a curator at Kansong.

One of the most eye-catching space is the fifth section, which features 20 Goryeo celadons collected by John Gadsby, a British lawyer and art collector in Japan. It is always great to look at Goryeo celadons in light green and with refined decorations. Chinese art connoisseurs were marveled at the celadons' color, calling it "mysterious."

"Cheongja unhak sanggam mun maebyeong" (National Treasure No. 68), one of Kansong's most famous collection, is also shown at the exhibition. Adorned with drawings of the red cranes and featuring elegantly smooth curves and deep jade color, it is the cream of the cream of Goryeo celadons.

This exhibition is Kansong's last one held at the DDP since 2014. The museum's collections will not be open to the public until it reopens at its original building in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. "We have held exhibitions at the DDP for the public, and I think we have achieved our goal to a certain degree," said Jeon In-geon, the museum's director. "We plan to greet visitors back to (the museum in) Seongbuk-dong as early as this fall, if possible." The exhibition is held until March 31.


Min Kim kimmin@donga.com