Cartier's Contemporary Art Foundation's collection – Highlight - 2017 in Seoul Museum of Art next to Deoksugung Palace, Korea

The way to the Seoul Museum of Art to walk along the stone wall of the Palace, as for me, is always throb with a feeling of being quite different from going to another museum.

The stonewall path of old Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁), one of the Five Grand palaces, located next to the city hall and familiar with Korean, on the way to the museum gives a different feeling throughout the four seasons all year round and is beautiful in itself. The shade of trees made by the fresh green seasons, the feeling that when it rains and go this pathway under umbrella, even the raindrops in this place seem to be something different with other places, the stunning colored leaves in the fall, the tiles of the palace covered the white snow in the winter, all of this dazzle the way to the museum. I read an article about the opening of the Cartier collection in the newspaper and visit the museum in the Sunday afternoon.

On the way to the museum, as usual, people was making their beautiful memories while taking pictures in front of stone wall as the background. It made me feel better to see the scene. Fresh performances by Buskers on weekends lead the way to the museum more romantic combination. But to be wonder, I don't know why there is a popular myth handed down for a long time that if you walk on this stonewall walkway with lover, you will surely break up. Of course, many lovers were walking this way when I visited there looked as if they didn’t mind at all what it does.

Large roses were welcome me at the museum entrance. It’s the artwork with the name ”Rosy Life( La Vie en Rose)". This bold, huge rose bouquet made of FRP (Fiber reinforced plastics) material always welcomes me as usual like an old friend. I breathed in the utmost the air of museum as sat on a stone chair, as always, before entering the museum. The name of this stone chairs art is 'communication'.

I had a feeling that it was very familiar to me and comfortable each time whenever I visited. While searching for museum information to write this blog, I realized that this is also an artwork.

As I looked at the right side of the entrance door, a knight in a shiny silver armor was situated above eye level. I thought there was some consistency in artworks because the company supports this art foundation is doing business related to jewelry, so I was slightly worried for a moment that other works might have the same tendency. However, it was my perfect groundless anxiety. I lined up a line to join and it didn't take a long time to enter. It was able to appreciate for me it comfortably during the time because the staffs adjust the number of audience at a distance of time. I am not an expert in art, so I don’t like to see lots of artwork in a short time. To be sorry for the artists but I am just ordinary person. I am impressed at first, however as I go backwards, I become dull. So, I prefer the exhibition style not the dense exhibition form but a little far away spacing arrangement. In that sense, this exhibition gave me very comfortable moving line. Nevertheless, the level of the exhibits was so great and valuable that I continued to fill my curiosity with diverse art world.

"In BED"  by Ron Mueck
Oh, my. Awesome. He was lying in bed and resting so naturally. 

What his eyes say is ....

I read in the newspaper that the foundation would just support the artists but not interfere with the works of them. It seemed like that they are trying to take the high road. Well, how lucky we are to see these works for free! In addition, there was no limit for visitors to take a photo so they easily took pictures from various angles.

It was a great day for the art museum outing in a long time. I'd like to recommend not to miss this wonderful art world. It is now your turn for what you will see and feel. Be there and breathe in the air of art, please.

Cartier's Contemporary Art Foundation's collection <Highlight>

In where: At the Seoul Museum of Art(SeMA, 서울시립미술관) 1-3F, 

Duration: May 30 ~August 15, 2017. Monday off

How to get: Seoul city hall station (Subway line 1 or line 2) exit#2

.           .    Walk along the Duksugung Palace(덕수궁) stonewall walkway 

.           .    in 5~10 minutes.

Admission fee: Free
 

How much do you know about Cheonggyecheon stream(청계천) in the heart of Seoul? you can see it as much as you know!

Seoul is a quite complex and bustling city even for Koreans. Nevertheless, this city, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty for over the past 600 years, must be giant treasure box of oriental culture of Korea. It is our great pleasure to have such a wonderful culture near our everyday life. As located in the heart of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon stream allows many people to relax and have good memories. It is a fascinating place that is loved not only by foreigners visiting Korea but also by Koreans, with its bridges built by ancestors and various structures created in modern times in company with the nature.

Cheonggyecheon(청계천) is well known as a representative attraction to Koreans and foreigners must to visit. Even if it is so, if you don't know about its' real value in the historical meaning, you could miss the some points of appreciation. You may be considered this is just as a natural oasis in the urban that simply let you feel nature in the city, but there is more than that. When seeing for a brief description of this stream, it was formed with main palaces ,major governmental organs and residential area for the upscale in the north of this stream, and in the south of it the common people lived mainly. There were several bridges along this stream and markets for trading various types of goods along the stream was formed. As a fact it could be mention that it was a kind of boundary zone between the rich and ordinary people during the 500 years of Joseon dynasty. With the fall of the dynasty and the process of modern society, for a considerable period of time, this was covered with concrete 10KM in length from the east and to the west of Seoul, and the overpasses were installed there since 1950s, and streets dealing with various items were established.

The new business hub street beside stream

  Following the industrialization after Korean War, this zone was typical congested area like parking lot till night as well as very complicated area last 50 years. It's been only a little since it has been restored to its present status after many controversies and returned again on October 2005 to the bosom of citizen. Thanks to effort of environmental restoration, people could have a green resting oasis. The old buildings on both sides of the stream were cleaned up and born again ad new buildings were added along the stream. It results in the value of real estate has increased by the creation of a new business hub mainly dealing with international finance and cutting-edge information. Now, this place with the cutting edge, past and nature ha become one of the famous attractive spots.

Make a wish in here so called ‘Trevi Fountain’ in the style of Korea.

People usually begin with a walk from Cheonggye Square. Walk down the stairs in the square and you can see people throwing coins into a small space(Wishing Well) in the middle of the stream. Wishing Well is commonly known as the nickname "Trevi Fountain in Korea" will take you back to Seoul again in the future. Don't hesitate to add your warm heart and make a nice memory by throwing the coin. The coin will be given as a donation to the poor youth. The first bridge that meets from the square was a market sold mostly fresh fruits and vegetables in the past dynasty. In the old days when there was no public place to deserve, this place did a big role as an important living cultural space for the common people. It was not a mean merely of them over a stream, but a part of daily life to rest, to meet, and to gather up. 

The Gwangtong Bridge with beautiful relief

Among them, Gwangtong Bridge(광통교) is the most beautiful and beloved one by the people, various events were held in here during the traditional premier holiday in old days, and it is a popular place as a romantic meeting backdrop for loving youth in historical drama. If you look carefully at the stone pillars and the beautiful oriental relief stone walls on both sides, you can easily find the part lying upside down. The stone walls here were originally part of the tomb of second queen of the first king who founded the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). In fact, she contributed a lot to the establishment of the Joseon Dynansty. The second queen tried to raise her son to the throne. With this reason, the two, the second queen and King Taejong who is a son of the first wife of the first king. didn't get along well, eventually her son died by him and he became the third king. The beautifully carved stone plates were moved here to build the walls and let it to be intentionally placed upside down in the process of building bridge to give that queen insult by the third King Taejong. Whatever his intentions may have been, the bridge seems to be loved more for these beautiful reliefs anyway.

The horse carrying King Jeongjo. In accordance with conventions, the King is not actually depicted in the painting but has been left blank.

And another attractive spot you can come across when you walk along the stream is the replica of the king Jeongjo's parade on over 5,000 tiles. King Jeongjo, who made various attempts to reform and improve the nation and one of the most successful and visionary rulers of the Joseon Dynasty in the culture and economy, let public artists drew pictures about the great eight-day parade to visit his father's tomb with his mother at 60-year-old mother's birthday. The social atmosphere at that time could be seen well even in paintings in which the expressions of humorous facial look and leisurely procession are well portrayed. Speaking briefly about his tragic royal family history, his father in the position of the crown prince until he died was a victim of political strife and was fit to die of starvation in the rice chest by his father. After his father died on his grandfather's order, he was adopted by his grandfather as a son. After growing up to become a king, he went to the tomb of his father to serve his mother. It furnishes a good theme for many historical dramas and movies till now. 

Exhibition zone 

The Cheonggyecheon stream is a place that has been loved by all citizens for the past, now and will be in future. It is a cultural space that can enjoy many Busking and various performances on weekends especially. When I visited on weekend, the soap bubble show lasted about 30 minutes, but the time passed so quickly with funny jokes and great shows. His popularity was especially great for children. A cup of coffee in the cafe next to the stream was another pleasure for me. Take a moment to spare. Recommend to go back at the appropriate point and give your legs time to rest because it’s a long path to walk to the last. 
This lady who was playing instrument and singing clearly showed me 'what is the amateur'. She made me laugh by some of mistakes. It doesn't matter how great her playing skills is. The most important thing might be how each one lives happily.

Lightning Festival of the Garden of Morning Calm

When the leaves fall and the flowers fall into a deep sleep, the garden becomes calm. After a moment's rest, In winter, this garden is reborn again into the lighting garden by the 6 million LED light bulbs shining brightly. In general, many dynamic Koreans do not let them off to waste long winter without doing anything in the cold winter. Thanks to a lot of attempts, sometimes we can encounter another astonishing moment and unforgettable memories even more than we expected. Shall you come and go with me to find out what's in there waiting for me? Move,Move. 

In fact, the garden has been always crowded with lots of visitors who want to appreciate thousands of trees and various beautiful flowers combined with Korean pavillion and pond expressing oriental beauty from spring to autumn.

*I strongly recommend to visit again in spring when it is full of flowers. 

*The lightning festival of garden will continue until March 26.

The Herbal Kingdom, Herb Island in Pocheon, South Korea(포천 허브아일랜드)

When the Herb was unfamiliar to the public 20 years ago in Korea, it is said she started to plant herbs in small green house in desolate land, this was registered as specialized Herb Plant Museum in Korea and became landmarks in Pocheon city(포천시), where is located in the northern of Seoul, a little far from around 2 hour drive from Seoul. Herb Island, it's not a real island but just the name only. I used a tour bus that only goes on Saturdays. I didn't want to drive my car because the road of suburbs on weekend are always jam packed with lots of car.  As I looked over the people waiting bus, more than half of them were young couples hand-in-hand. Aha, romantic date attractions?

It has certain charming point that makes people visit here up to million visitors all the year. In the beginning, It is said, it reached just 10,000 square meters only in width and was barren land being overgrown with full of weeds and gravels. At that time there was no road, water and even electricity was not linked at all. They pulled up out the weeds, sow the seeds and planted the trees of Mediterranean herbs. But it was so difficult to get a success that there were several attempts and failures to fit it in the soil of Korea. Most of all, there is big difference in the amount of sunshine as compared with the one of Mediterranean. It is insufficient in Korea.

Inside of Herb plant Museum

The huge herb green house (Herb & Plants Museum) was considered to be the most valuable place of this place. It boasted several hundred type of herb and seemed like to show long cultivation history. I felt the green house is not only the simple cultivation area of trees but also each tree was treated with care. This herb plant museum has been played its’ role for as the matrix of this herb island absolutely, as I thought.

The Santa Claus village, composed at the back side of these herb greenhouses, gave me another pleasure, too. How sweet and cool it was by the fresh flavor of herbal aroma in this hot summer! It was holding cooling event of aromatic herbal showering on the path during these hot summer days till end of August. Both Visitors and Santa Clauses lined on this path were soaked fully with foggy herbal vapor. It was very pleasant and something special aromatic experience.

Aromatic herb showering

Tiny church where we can send the Christmas card in advance

Summer Santa Clauses wearing in blue, small box houses decorated with items related on Santa Claus. People could feel the early Christmas mood on August and send their pre-card for Christmas at the tiny church on the hillside. With all of these in fairytale-like village, people were busy taking photos and enjoying early arrived Christmas day.

In the Herbal crafts exhibition hall

At the Herb Museum

It's under distilling the essential herb oil

The herb museum exhibits all about the herb in the side of food, flavoring, medicine and others. History of herb, herb related goods like oils, wines, liquors, vinegar and teas, making herb candles and soaps, handicraft corner, distillation corner of essential oil, many kinds of herb details helped my knowledge of it. What’s more, tiny items situated each corner added us aromatic pleasure, too. Recommend not to miss here. As time had gone so fast, we felt hungry. We enjoyed herb dishes in the Athens hall restaurant which is decorated in Greek style. How was the taste and price? The mood in there was very good but the price and taste didn't impress me enough.

Inside restaurant

When the sun went down, this place became the more beautiful, stunning and romantic site than daytime with millions of starlike lights and gave me wonderful shooting time. The live show on weekend at square and to see the youth who boarded mini gondola circling this square made me happy even though I didn’t ride it. For a while I sat and took coffee break. Well, the two guys’ singing ability on the stage was not good enough. They had trouble hitting the high notes and some portion of notes was stretched more longer. I was eavesdropping on the next person said to funny when was passing me " What makes them sing just like crying?". Whatever it was, it didn't screw up my romantic feeling at all. Surely, the night has powerful strength to make everything looks beautiful. This light festival of night goes on all the year.Don’t wait to meet the beautiful night time in there. 

Let's have free herbal teas & aroma therapy experience at this Fragrance Shop

Aroma tester

There were two accommodation zones on the back side, Herb healing center and experience building prepared various experiences like herb hydro therapy, herb & hay therapy, aromatherapy, tea therapy, stone therapy and others. Some rooms boast whirlpool bath in herb essential oil. It looked like have high grade and didn’t look cheap just to see it from a distance.

Herb Healing and experience center

D. I .Y. Experience Field

Flames for herb candle at D.I.Y Field

How to get there

1.          Shuttle bus run by DOOREBUS co.: Seoul city hall>Sport complex>Herb Island (running duration: 2hours). 
       Night course is available only on Saturday. Day courses are available on Sat/Sunday. 
        Send email to dooretourkorea@gmail.com for your booking.

2.         Midweek:to Subway1 Soyosan st.#1>transfer to bus 57-1 across the street, not sure about the duration because the bus runs every 2 hours. 

Dumulmeori(두물머리) in Yangpyeong,Couldn’t feel better than it is as a romantic place, South Korea

On this fine day, with short pause from a hustle and bustle daily life for a while and sitting on a bench by the river to get past memory seemed like a good idea to me. I stopped by Dumulmeori (or Yangsuri). It is named as Dumulmeori because it is a place where two rivers meet.

In the past, it was a quite prosperous ferry. A dam was built in the vicinity and here was designated as a Green Belt area, and it had resulted in stopping its function.

The boat with an ochre sail is now silently telling past stories indifferently. Don't expect too much of here. It is a simple riverside area with nothing special. If I mention it, three trees of 400 years old are gathered side by side and look like an umbrella from a distance. And it has been bustling for visitors to make memories of their own at the zone recently installed frame to take pictures.

However, the mediocrity and silence more than spectacular views sometimes let our hearts stick to it. The weather was heading towards summer and the lotus was full blooming.

As sitting on a bench while watching the river without thinking and I was reminiscent of my memories with my parents when I was a child, high school campus and friends, college campus at this time of the past, etc. The book pages of Memories were turning over on and on to the past.

It is a place often seen in dramas and advertisements, and the mist of the dawn is quite reputed to be beautiful in spring and autumn. Despite of depending on whenever it is, the atmosphere was great even if i visited in the daytime. I heard that snow in winter makes spectacular view but I'd give up to visit due to its cold weather. The bandit as for me seems to be the very right blooming season of lotus. Welcome to those who enjoy a secluded spot.