Aug 15, 2015
Asian Art Museum’s Korea Day features a hansik tasting, a traditional Korean clothing demonstration, a musical performance by KABAM and more.
Download a PDF copy of this Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19, 2015— Celebrate the richness of Korean culture at the Asian Art Museum’s 7th annual Korea Day on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 10:30 AM to 4 PM with free admission, courtesy of Korea Foundation. Enjoy live performances, gallery tours, art-making activities, food tastings and more inspired by traditional and contemporary Korean culture.
The festival presents Korean American artists, chefs and musicians who explore their identities through their work. For the festival’s feature performance, classically trained duo KABAM, who interpret Korean folk music through a contemporary lens, will collaborate with a visual artist and electronic musician to create a unique multisensory experience. Other festival highlights include a demonstration and tasting by local chef and cookbook author Chang Sun-Young, who’ll create two tasty Korean dishes typically served for the Korean harvest festival Chuseok. Costume historian Dr. Minjee Kim will illuminate the history and culture of the hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. In addition, Youngmin Lee will demonstrate bojagi, the timeless Korean art of making wrapping cloth.
Visitors can also view artworks by contemporary Korean artists, including Kim Yik-yung, Koo Bohnchang, Lee Gapchul and Park Dae-sung, in the special exhibition First Look: Collecting Contemporary at the Asian. In the Korea Galleries, view an exhibition featuring works by contemporary artist Yoong Bae.
A complete schedule of Korea Day follows. Programs are subject to change. For updates, please visit www.asianart.org or call 415.581.3500.
Sunday, Sept. 20 from 10:30 AM–4 PM, free museum admission
Korea Day has been made possible with the support of the Korea Foundation. The mission of the Korea Foundation is to promote better understanding of Korea within the international community and to increase friendship and goodwill between Korea and the rest of the world through various exchange programs.
Juna’s Jar Reading and Book Talk for Families
11 AM–12 PM, Education Studio
The award-winning children’s book Juna’s Jar tells the tale of a girl and her adventures with her favorite toy: an empty kimchi jar. Author Jane Bahk and illustrator Felicia Hoshino will read the book and share their process, as well as original artwork.
Bojagi Demonstration
11 AM–4 PM, North Court
Korean American artist Youngmin Lee demonstrates bojagi, the timeless Korean art of making wrapping cloth. Engage with Lee as she practices her craft—or even contribute to a community bojagi project.
Art-Making Activities
11 AM–4 PM, North Court
Inspired by the art and culture you encounter on Korea Day? Channel that creative energy into making art you can wear or display at home. Create your own collection of fabric fashion buttons, embroider a cloth coaster or make a mixed-media zine of your favorite Korean things, such as art, food or music—whatever speaks to you most. All art projects for Cultural Celebrations and Family Fun Days are developed by the museum’s Art Speak teen interns, who’ll be there to lend a hand.
Korean Traditional Clothing Talk and Demonstration
11:30 AM–12:30 PM, Education Resource Room
Costume historian Dr. Minjee Kim illuminates the history and culture of the hanbok, the traditional Korean dress. Kim will present a slideshow of colorful garments, and models will display both informal and wedding attire. Clothing provided by the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles.
KABAM
2–3 PM, Samsung Hall
Attend a captivating performance combining impromptu art-making with music by KABAM, the duo of local artists Julie Moon and Tim Kim. KABAM will take visitors on a musical journey based on the Korean folk tale “The Sun and the Moon” in collaboration with electronic musician Josh Casey and muralist Dave Kim, who will create an improvised work of art inspired by the music. As a part of the Korean diaspora in America, KABAM creates projects that are inspired by their personal explorations of identity. The duo’s recent Korea tour is part of the documentary Interlaced, which is scheduled to be released later this year.
K-Pop Lounge
2–4 PM, Education Resource Center
Watch, sing or even dance along with some of the hottest pop hits from Korea with a video playlist curated by the Asian Art Museum’s Art Speak teen interns.
Hansik Demonstration and Tasting
3–4 PM, Education Studios
Enjoy a demonstration and tasting of hansik (traditional Korean food) typically served for Chuseok, a Korean harvest festival and one of the most important holidays of the year. Local chef and cookbook author Sun-Young Chang serves up a feast for the eyes and taste buds with two tasty dishes while explaining their meaning, symbolism and medicinal properties. Space is limited; day-of registration required—sign up at the information desk.
Tours and Storytelling
stART tour for Kids
10:30 AM, meet at the information desk
Asian Art Museum storytellers share myths and folktales from Korea while exploring objects in the Korea Galleries. Recommended for families with children ages 3–6.
Korean Language Curator Tour
12:30–1 PM, meet at the information desk
Join Hyonjeong Kim Han, associate curator of Korean art, on a Korean-language tour of the museum’s stunning Korean collection. This special tour will focus on the work of contemporary artist Yoong Bae, currently on view in the Korea Galleries.
Storytelling for Families
1 PM, meet at the information desk
Asian Art Museum storytellers share myths and folktales from Korea while looking at art in the Korea Galleries. Recommended for families with children of all ages.
The Spirit of Korean Art Docent Tour
1:30–2 PM, meet at the information desk
A museum docent brings the Korean collection to life through a dynamic tour of highlights.
The Asian Art Museum—Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture is one of San Francisco’s premier arts institutions and home to a world-renowned collection of more than 18,000 Asian art treasures spanning 6,000 years of history. Through rich art experiences, centered on historic and contemporary artworks, the Asian Art Museum unlocks the past for visitors, bringing it to life while serving as a catalyst for new art, new creativity and new thinking.
Information: 415.581.3500 or www.asianart.org
Location: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Hours: The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM. From Feb. 26 through Oct. 8, 2015, hours are extended on Thursdays until 9 PM. Closed Mondays, as well as New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
General Admission: FREE for museum members, $15 for adults, $10 for seniors (65+), college students with ID, and youths (13–17). FREE for children under 12 and SFUSD students with ID. General admission on Thursdays after 5 PM is $5 for all visitors (except those under 12, SFUSD students, and museum members, who are always admitted FREE). General admission is FREE to all on Target First Free Sundays (the first Sunday of every month). A $5 weekday and $10 weekend surcharge will apply for admission to the special exhibitions.
Access: The Asian Art Museum is wheelchair accessible. For more information regarding access: 415.581.3598; TDD: 415.861.2035.
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