The Great Myth and Mystery of Peruvian Civilisation, and Other Art Exhibits

By Rebecca McCarthy, 2010-02-03

The Great Myth and Mystery of Peruvian Civilisation

The National Museum of Korea is currently running an exhibition of 351 Peruvian relics dating back to 3000BCE. The exhibition highlights artefacts in three sections: The Legend of the Andes Civilisation; the Development of Civilisation; and the Empire of Gold, Inca.
The show comprises such a variety of fascinating relics, even the reluctant museum-goer's interest shall not wane. There are intricate textiles of some very unpleasant-looking gods; stunning gold adornments (and quite cumbersome, one would imagine. Of note are those of the relatively recently discovered tomb of the Lord of Sipan.); and more “vessels” than you could shake a stick at. The pottery, depending on your tastes, is not always the most exciting part of an exhibition, however the imagination and skill involved in the pieces on display appear much more artistic than practical, taking on various shapes, including cultural scenes and anatomical details. The pieces are mostly very well-displayed, with some incredibly intricate sacrificial knives displayed in cases you can walk around to better view them. There are a few three-dimensional pieces that beg for mirrors to show them from all sides.
One of the highlights of the show is the section of mummies. What is interesting about these mummies is, unlike those of ancient Egypt, they are buried sitting up. There are several on display, including a baby, as well as animals. They are very well preserved, and inspire the viewer to consider the individuals they were, and to imagine the lives they may have once led.
It is an exhibition in which most of the pieces speak for themselves, which is fortunate since there are, unfortunately, no English audio devices. It is also too bad there is so very little written information in English. However, when offered such a vast array of relics, it can be a good excuse to just focus on the artefacts themselves.
You can see the exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, Ichon Station, line 4, exit 2. It runs until March 28, 2010. Tickets cost 5,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, go to: www.museum.go.kr.


Exhibitions at Seoul Arts Centre

There is an enjoyable full day's worth of art to see at Seoul Arts Centre. I suggest going early to avoid crowds, especially on the weekend (or better yet, go on a weekday if you can!), put your coat in a locker on the first floor and take breaks to reflect in one of the many cafes, or lunch across the street from the main entrance.

Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance Frescoes

There's something to be said for seeing a piece of art in its original context, and frescoes are some of the few examples where this is (relatively) the case. There is also, however, something to be said for being able to get centimetres away from a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, and to consider it in the context of its artistic contemporaries, rather than of its physical surroundings.

Though you are not seeing the originals here, it is certainly the next best thing. The original works were photographed and the image projected to be copied by skilled artists using tools and materials that were used to create them the first time. These doubles are near-perfect replicas, not making up for chipping or fading, but making an effort to show you what anyone would be seeing on the same day in Italy. You may notice, however, a slight veneer on the paintings. This is a way to preserve the images, and share them with the world.

It is certainly worth a visit. Even if you have seen the originals, revisit them, just for a closer look. Regretfully, there were no English audio devices, though many of the paintings have a little information alongside them.

Seoul is privileged as the first to receive this exhibition. It has been commissioned by Asia Museum and Lazarris, and directors of national museums and organisations. Next, it will be moving on to either Italy or Japan, but you can see it at the Hangaram Art Museum until 21 February. Tickets: adult 13,000 won/ students 10,000 won/ children (under 7) 8,000 won. Going early or other than on a weekend is strongly suggested. It is a popular exhibition and you may be faced with a line running out the door and down the stairs, should you attend on a Sunday afternoon.

Monet to Picasso

This exhibition, which is comprised of pieces from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is categorised into three main sections dealing with particular artistic movements and their associated artists. Beginning with a section titled, “Realism and Modern Life,” you can see some examples of Realist pieces that are considered to be the precursors of the Impressionist movement. Works of particular interest are those of the movement's leader, Gustave Courbet, and Edouard Manet. From here, “Impressionism and Post-Impressionism” highlights artists such as Cezanne, Gauguin, Renoir, and Van Gogh. One room is devoted to sculptures alone. A sculpture of a passionate embrace called, “Eternal Springtime” by Auguste Rodin is a personal favourite. To complete the trilogy is an era from 1907-1940 as seen through a Paris lens. “Picasso and the Avant Garde” deals with a language of representation created by the Cubists, and with “The School of Paris” and those artists that thrived through the city at the time, from around the world.
The curatorship of the exhibition makes for not only an enjoyable visual experience, but an educational one as well.
Tickets range from 5,000 to 13,000 won and is running at the Hangaram Gallery at the Seoul Arts Centre. Audio devices are not available in English.


Georges Rouault

Also running at the Hangaram Gallery is “Le Sacre et le Profane” or, The Sacred and the Profane. This is an exhibition of works by Georges Rouault, and is decidedly extensive. As it is a presentation of a single artist's work, it is also a presentation of the artist himself. The exhibition spans different periods of Rouault's artistic career and so we are offered a view of the progression of his styles and of his inspirations; not only from phase to phase or even subject to subject, but there is a focus on the artist's ongoing work with a particular subject, represented by different versions of it, or shown by pieces that were left in progress.
This is a fairly comprehensive exhibition of a period of Rouault's career, so be prepared for versions of the same painting. If you are really into George Rouault in particular, or into Fauvist/Expressionist painting, this is for you. Otherwise, it is still certainly worth a visit, but I would suggest not getting too tired out at the beginning – there is a lot to see.
With this exhibition, there are in fact English audio devices. Besides that, the information inside the hall is in Korean and French. Tickets range from 8000 – 12000 won. For more information, check out:  www.sac.or.kr

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