Korean handicrafts in official exhibition at Milan Triennale

Korean handicrafts in official exhibition at Milan Triennale. April. 13, 2016 07:21. by 밀라노=김배중기자 wanted@donga.com. A Korean handicraft exhibition titled "Common Venue Pursuing New Handcraft Art" is taking place on the first floor of the "Triennale Design Museum," a museum dedicated to design in Milan, Italy from April 2. The Korean handicraft exhibition has been held at the site every year since 2013. This year, the exhibition will be convened through Sept. 12 as part of official events for the exhibition "Design Linked with Design in the 21st Century," which takes place every three years in Milan.

“Our goal is to ensure Europeans who have appreciated Korean handicrafts here revisit this place,” art director Hong Bo-ra said in front of the exhibition on Monday.

A total of 28 artists are participating in the event to showcase pieces at five exhibition rooms. Different corners within the exhibition show signs of the artists' elaboration. A total of 154 handcrafts on display harmoniously present sense of tradition and modernity.

Artist Bae Se-jin showcases a pot made with earthen fragments. This piece reveals hints of humble joy. Every single fragment comes with individual serial numbers. Bae numbered earthen fragments that were created from 2008 starting with No. 1, and created a series of handicrafts including pots by attaching them together. The number of earthen pieces has reached 143,800. “I wish to communicate with audience members by showing efforts and process contained in handicrafts, rather than simply showing well-made handicrafts," Bae said.

The artworks by Kim Hye-jeong are the outcome of collaboration. She improved the quality of life among Nepali villagers by giving them design ideas including water kettles and cups to master craftsmen in Timi Village where potters have lived for generations in Nepal. She also worked with the Sim Sugwan family who has continued the tradition of pottery art for more than 400 years in Kagoshima, Japan.

Some of "Stone Pillow" artworks by Christina Kim, which remind people of pebble, were highly sought after by visitors as articles for them to take rest on. Traffic light, road signs and handcart that were created through collaboration by engineer Choi Jong-eon and designer Kim Jong-beom showcase various sides of daily routines in Korea.

“I used to think that exhibition of Korean handcrafts were held merely as one-off events, but this time around I have found a number of artworks that made me to think hard,” said Andrea Cancellato, general director of the Triennale Design Museum. “I have vividly realized Korean sense of lingering imagery and sensibility.”

“Looking into this exhibition, I thought that if Korean master craftsmen and Italian designers work together in the future, they will be able to create interesting pieces that can communicate with the public,” said Antonello Fusetti, dean of the Milan-based Scuola Politecnica di Design.