Korea

Trace the spread of Buddhism through close looking at Buddhist objects from different regions. Explore how artifacts reveal distinct local traditions as well as common ideas and motifs.

Chin-Sung Chang, Associate Professor in the department of archaeology and art history at Seoul National University, gives a talk on the splendors of the royal family in late Joseon dynasty court paintings in conjunction with the In Grand Style: Celebrations in Korea Art During the Joseon Dynasty exhibition at the Asian Art Museum.

This lustrous stoneware vessel is a ewer, or pitcher, dating to the early 1100s, during Korea’s Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). It was probably used for wine, which may have been warmed by placing the ewer in a matching bowl of heated water. The ewer’s color is called celadon, which is created by a glaze that includes iron oxide. Today, connoisseurs around the world continue to treasure Goryeo celadon as among the most precious items created by Korean artisans.

Bojagi means “wrapping cloth” in Korean. It is used for a variety of purposes, including formal celebrations such as wedding ceremonies and birthday gift presentations. Each bojagi is a unique work of art. Artist Youngmin Lee demonstrates how to make bojagi using various techniques.

In this Therese Schoofs Memorial Lecture, Asian Art Museum docent, Kalpana Desai, discusses the life and works of the Korean artist Yoong Bae.

Jaesup Pak, professor of Korean language and literature at Inje University in Korea, and Tea Master Youngmi Yi introduce cha (tea) and darye (etiquette for tea). Tea was introduced to Korea from China sometime in the 6th or 7th centuries, and since then Koreans have developed an approach to tea with fewer formal rituals and greater range of flexibility in enjoyment of tea. In Korea, tea has always been more than just a simple beverage. Appreciation of music, poetry, dance, and painting prospered as part of tea ceremonies among the elite and the royal court.

This video documents the creation of a Buddhist painting by the monk artist, Seol-min (formerly known as Jae-u), who has dedicated her life to keeping the tradition of Buddhist painting alive.

The Asian Art Museum presented Korea Foundation Korean Culture Day on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013 for the fifth consecutive year. This feast of Korean culture featured food, music and other performances as well as hands-on art activities for all ages. The festival was presented in conjunction with the museum’s special exhibition, In Grand Style: Celebrations in Korean Art during the Joseon Dynasty.

Contemporary Korean ceramic artists Sung Min, Kwon Shin, Kim jin Kyoung, and Park Nae Heon discuss their works.

John Duncan, Director for Korean Studies, UCLA, gives a talk on Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) Korea at the Asian Art Museum.