Starbucks Series 2... Valentine's Day

Love is a many splendid thing.

Charles & Gustav

On my deathbed with cabin fever, or boredom, I was determined to emerge from the apartment on Valentine's Day a new person. I would no longer care about cold weather, checking e-mail, or saving my Won—I was out of excuses. New experiences and opportunities were passing me by and spring didn't seem very near. As if personally aligned by the universe, the Seoul Arts Center was hosting several exhibits, two of which caught my eye:  Charles Eames and Gustav Klimt.

Seoul Arts Center entrance

Gustav Klimt poster

Charles Eames poster

As interior design students in college, Andrea and I studied the designs of Charles and Ray Eames throughout our four years. Born in St. Louis, Charles Eames (1907-1978) was a forward thinker with an interest in modern architecture and design.  He briefly studied architecture at Washington University, but left for unknown reasons. According to rumors, Eames was dismissed due to his modern ideas and advocacy for Frank Lloyd Wright, however, it may have easily been his reduced performance due to sleep deprivation from his coinciding employment as an architect. A few years after opening his own architectural practice with fellow designer, Charles Gray, in St. Louis; Eames accepted an opportunity to study and teach at Cranbook Academy of Art in Michigan. While at Cranbrook, Eames met several other influential designers and developed a close professional relationship with Eero Saarinen, who would later go on to design the St. Louis Arch. Together they focused on work for the St. Louis waterfront and created other base pieces of furniture, which Eames would later develop into his most notable designs. In 1941, Eames married his second wife, Ray Kaiser (1912-1988), and moved to Los Angeles. Throughout their remaining years together, they created ground-breaking designs and paved the way for modern art and architecture today. 

 

An explosion of Eames furniture—some old and authentic, some new

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman are among the Eames' most significant pieces.

Eames Wire Chair and Walnut Stools

Eames Aluminum Group lounge chair with Herman Miller (the manufacturer) tag—oops!

Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) was born near Vienna, Austria to an artistic, but poor family. He attended the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts, and studied as an architectural painter for several years. His most prominent subject, the female nude, was bittersweet for his career. Later awarding him praise, Klimt's erotic nude figures were criticized early on in his career. Although Klimt boasts hundreds of drawings and landscape paintings, he is probably best known for the work completed during his "Golden Phase."  Beautiful Venetian mosaics were the likely inspiration for Klimt's gold technique and Byzantine imagery. Klimt's contribution to the Symbolism and Art Nouveau movements was as unique and varied as the painter himself.

 

The only picture I was allowed to take near the Klimt exhibit...

Klimt's most famous painting, and my favorite, The Kiss (1907-1908). Unfortunately, like many of his pieces, this was not included in the exhibit and still rests at its home in the Belvedere museum in Vienna, Austria.

Judith I (1901), depicts the Old Testament heroine with the head of Holofernes. This was the most prized piece within the exhibit.

The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (1907), not included in the exhibit, was purchased in 2006 by the Neue Galerie in New York for $135 million, the highest recorded price of a purchased painting. The record was previously held by Picasso's Boy With a Pipe.

 

The Tree of Life (1909) was also missing from the exhibit...

Despite the lack of actual paintings by Klimt (there were plenty by other artists who were inspired by Klimt's work), the exhibit was interesting and informative. More than enough drawings were on display leaving little to the imagination when it comes to the female body. Interestingly, Klimt's work has inspired artists from all genres including fashion, textiles, and jewelry-making. The Seoul Arts Center included an inspiring sampling of relevant works.

Being surrounded by beautiful art always refreshes my perspective and I left the Seoul Arts Center with a spring in my step and a renewed determination to venture into the cold weather in the name of exploration. A warm chai latte from Starbucks afterwards didn't hurt, either. 

For an audio/visual version of what we thought about the museum, check out the video:

Diary- Amnesia

Sometimes, you're just not sure....

Amnesia

by Penny

Today is very bad

Because I have Amnesia.

It is very bad.

I don't know so I think have memo.

Teacher!  Do you have Amnesia?

Starbucks Series 1... Korean Fashion

The first in a series of videos where Andrea and I speak honestly about the various aspects of living in Korea.... once we stop laughing.

  

Diary- I go to Ballet

I've come to the conclusion that many Koreans have an issue with weight just like millions of other people in far away countries. There seem to be about 2 sizes for both men and women, tiny and small, and anything heavier baffles them. Seemingly reluctant to discuss their own weight, many Koreans are not shy about critiquing others. As seen in television commercials, the need to be perfect is just as intense in Korea as it is in America and I will, perhaps, leave that for another blog. Until then, enjoy these humorously honest diary entries from my students...

I go to Ballet

by Jessica

Today, I go to Ballet, as always.

My partner is my favorite friend.

She is tall so she is heavy.

And I can't hold up her leg.

I'm sorry to her. I'm not strong so I can't hold up her leg.

It's very sorry ballet.

I want change my partner.  But I like her.

She is good at ballet.  And me, too.

Good bye.

My First Sister

by Nancy

My sister's name is Ji.

She is twenty years old.

And she is very beautiful but she's nickname is Pig.

Because she is fat.

So she went to health club.

And she can drive.

But she is the first step.

And she is my teacher. Because she is everyday teaches.

She's very good teacher.

Year of the Ox

Traditional Chinese paper cutting

Throughout Asia, January 26 marked an important day on the calendar—Lunar New Year.  In Korea, Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is the largest and most important holiday.  For three days, including the day before and after the 26th, families visited each other and shared in traditional food, games, and customs; leaving the city quiet and abandoned.    

In preparation for the big day, stores are flooded with anxious shoppers trying to collect the last remaining gifts for their families.  Fresh meat, fish, fruit, and snacks are typical options, but as I found out after a visit to the grocery store, Koreans love gift baskets and boxes.  An array of choices were available including a dental hygiene box filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss; a hair care box of mostly industrial-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner; and my favorite, the SPAM box, filled with cans of the suspicious mystery meat.

The day before Lunar New Year, Korean highways turn into a parking lot of stationary vehicles. With many of the older generations living outside the city, a mad exodus occurs leaving Seoul unusually quiet and desolate.  Train reservations are made months in advance, and last minute domestic flights are unattainable.  A trip into Seoul during those few days gave Andrea and I the upper-hand at securing a seat on the subway; however, once in Seoul we found many things—including the restaurant where we planned to eat—closed.

On the morning of Seollal, everyone wakes up early and dresses in the traditional hanbok. Once all together, Koreans perform many traditional customs and rites in honor of their ancestors. Some have been modified due to modernization, but almost all are still practiced today. After the rituals are finished, the family enjoys a feast similar in anticipation to Thanksgiving.

Tteokguk (rick cake soup)

Traditionally, the elder son's wife prepared all of the food during the holiday celebrations; and was judged on not only the taste, but also the presentation. However, it is becoming more widely accepted for other female members of the household to chip in and bring a few dishes. Of course, an attempt at rounding up the men for help in the kitchen is still underway.  The most popular Lunar New Year dish is tteokguk, or rice cake soup.  Comprised of broth/soup (guk) and thinly sliced rice (tteok), tteokguk is believed to bring the consumer good luck and add one year to his/her age.  Consequently, Koreans believe they are one year older than their actual "western" age.  In addition to tteokguk, families also enjoy wild vegetables, Korean style pancakes, galbijjim (rib stew), and japchae (noodles with meat and vegetables).  

After the meal is finished, children complete the rituals by bowing to their elders.  In return, the older generations offer them well-wishes (for example, "have a healthy year" or "meet someone nice") and then present them with gifts and money.  The rest of the holiday is spent playing traditional games (yut nori, Gostop), and spending quality time with the family. Eventually, after the new year comes to a close, people flood back into the city and my seat on the subway is no longer guaranteed.  However, I've become accustomed to the crowds of people and feel very much alone without them so... Welcome back, Koreans. 

Girl's Generation, a Koran girl band, in traditional hanbok dress.

SS501, a Korean boy band, in traditional hanbok clothing.

Oh, SS501... Korean cute.

Hanbok photos courtesy of http://blog.360.yahoo.com

Diary- Hamsters and Turtles

The following two diary entries were written within a one-week span by the same student. Poor Simon, had a lot of bad luck that week...

My Hamster's Dead

by Simon

Today is a bad day...

My hamster's dying...

I have two hamsters.

One hamster's name Jungle, and Pal

but... Jungle eat the Pal...

very bad.

Jungle is bad!

bye Pal

One week later...

I'm Buy the Turtle

by Simon

Bad day too.  My turtle is dead..

because shell is soft.

Yes. I'm buy the new turtle

It's very cute.

I'm happy.

bye turtle.

Vampire Deer

During my visit to the DMZ in November, I briefly heard mention of a vampire deer that lives in the hills of South Korea.  Curious, yet skeptical, I filed the information in the back of my mind for further investigation.  While sitting at my computer the other day, thoughts of the alleged vampire deer resurfaced and I decided to unearth the truth.  Does a vampire deer really exist?  Yes, it does.

For all you Twilight fans, I named him, Edward.

Actually called a Siberian Musk Deer, vampire deer derive their nickname from the canine teeth, which project well below their lips.  Unlike traditional vampires, musk deer do not feed on the blood of humans or other animals, but rather enjoy the leaves, flowers, and grasses in the hills where they live. Found mostly in Mongolia, China, North Korea, and South Korea; the population of musk deer has declined by 50% since the 1990's because of over-hunting.  The musk collected from a male's musk gland is used in the production of soaps and perfumes, as well as, for other medicinal purposes.  

From now on, I will worry my Korean-purchased soaps contain male vampire deer musk.   

photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/photos/68214226@N00/52381420

Subway, my love

Dear Subway Restaurant,

Being separated from you for four months since leaving America was almost more than I could handle, and I've spent many sleepless nights thinking about the relationship we once shared. Finding you again, standing proudly on the street in Seoul, was surreal for me and I'm sure you felt it, too.  The smell of freshly baked bread as I opened the door flooded my mind with memories that span nearly 20 years; and the mouth-watering sensation that I had grown to love returned with a new fervor.  

I was momentarily disappointed to see you had left behind the Italian Herbs & Cheese bread in America, and reluctantly settled for Honey Oat instead. However, those lackluster feelings quickly dissolved when you prepared for me a turkey sandwich with cheese, just the way I like it. Succulent turkey, non-existent in Korea, provided the base for pearlescent, American cheese triangles. Like confetti, crisp iceberg lettuce provided padding for the bounty of fresh vegetables including; almost red tomatoes, luscious green bell peppers, perfectly pungent onions, and extra black olives.  Gone from my mind was the odd yogurt dressing, a typical South Korean condiment, that has garnished my recent meals.  Instead, mayonnaise in the proverbial white, squeeze bottle added the finishing touch to my Van Gogh of sandwiches.  

Grabbing a Korean replacement bag of chips, and imitation Sprite turned my sandwich into a "meal deal," and I eagerly handed over my cash.  Our reunion couldn't wait any longer. Unwrapping the Subway paper seemed like it took forever, but the result was well worth the wait.  As the flavors mingled inside my mouth, I knew our relationship was something special. I promised to never stay away from you so long, seeing how hard it was for both of us.  To prove my promise was sincere, I wrapped up the other half of my foot-long and brought it home on the train.  Having a subway on the subway seemed ironic to me, and together we shared a laugh.  As I sit here writing this, only a day later, I am again enjoying your company. Sometimes I think your sandwiches taste even better the second day.    

Thank you for your consistency and desire to make me happy.  I will count the days until I see you again.    

Love,

travelgirl

xoxo