LEEUM, the Samsung Museum of Art

LEEUM, Samsung Museum of Art

I've been LEEUM last Saturday to watch special exhibition that called "Void in Korean Art 한국미술 여백의 발견 韓國美術 餘白의 發見".

It's my first time to visit the Leeum Museum. It is located in Hannam-dong, which is most richist part of Korea, especially near the mansion of the Lee Gunhee who is owner of the Samsung now. Because this museum is founded by Lee family.

Entrance of the Leeum

So, anyway. I've been there. Alone. I had a appointment at 7:00 pm. And I had a too many time before that appointment. Actually, that appointment is blind-date. I was supposed to meet her at 7:00 pm in Kangnam which is one of the famous places of young people. So, I didn't want to just wait until 7:00 pm.

In the Leeum

The first impression of the Leeum was like a 'modern' something. I felt like...I would be such a bourjeur. There are much more people what I expected. And the exhibition was really meaningful to me. I have been thinking about what Korean is since I had finished studying English in Canada. the Korean incluses people, music, art, philosophy, and language. I'd like to find the unique things in Korea. Much of things what I definetly believed as Korean were not Korean things. Something was Japanese origin, especially snacks or music and something was Chinese origin. my name is also made by Chinese characters.

After

여백(餘白/Void) is totally different philosophy to western philosophy. I think East Asian artist have that features - even I have no idea about China and Japan traditional art but It might be similar. Because void is originally come from 도가(道家/Taoist). And Korean artists have strong respect of the Void. It is called "여백미(餘白美/Beauty of the Void)".

Outdoor exhibition of the Leeum

I found out that when I take a landscape photos, I tried to make some part just leave as void. OK. Let's take a look at below photo. The main subject is located right-up part of the photo, the tower. And the other part is almost dark, void. I like this kind of photos.

Sunrise, the beginning place of Northwestarm.

It must be caused where I am. I am Korean. I've been here Korea for 26 years. And I am facing to lots of Korean things even Korea is globalized a lot. There are no change that I am Korean. Korea is still Korea.