Arirang: 17 Women Artists, Opening Reception & Gallery Talk (Friday, May 4, 2012)

Join us for the opening reception of Arirang: 17 Women Artists, a new exhibit of mixed media visual art, sculpture, and paintings tied together by the theme of Korea’s most famous folk song, arirang. Each of the 17 featured artists, working in her own unique medium and style, has strived to capture some of the complex emotion of this quintessentially Korean song, as well as its traditional cultural context. The opening reception program will include brief talks by several of the featured artists as they introduce their work. Arirang has been sung in Korea for centuries. While the song’s true origins are unknown, as well as the meaning of its title, its emotional depth and popularity among Koreans are indisputable. The lyrics tell the story of a forlorn woman immersed in grief at the departure of her lover; though she scorns him, she also longs for him. Arirang can evoke feelings of remorse and bitterness, but also nostalgia, passion, and joy, often mingled together. In this sense, it is closely related to the Korean sentiment of han, which encompasses many of the same sorrowful feelings, as well as a sense of resolve and determination to endure. Featured artists: Jane Boksoon Shin Thomas (신복순), Soonjung Han Hwang (한순정), Komelia Hongja Okim (김홍자), Kim Yoomi (김유미), Okji Chung Kim (정옥지), Kyungai Kim Pang (김경애), Myungsook Ryu Kim (류명숙), Kyungai Hong Jun (홍경애), Junghwa Kim Paik (김정화), Sukjin Choi (최석진), Diane Youngmi Kang Lee (강영미), June Jaehee Yun (허재희), Jeongseon Kim Choi (김정선), Jeongsook Oh (오정숙), Hwajin Lee (이화진), Shin-Yeon Jeon (전신연), and Hye Jun Joung (정혜전). This exhibit will remain on display through May 21, 2012. The Korean Cultural Center is open to visitors 9 am - noon and 1:30 - 5:30pm, M-F, excluding holidays. What: Arirang: 17 Women Artists (opening reception & gallery talk) When: Friday, May 4 @ 6 pm Where: Korean Cultural Center Washington DC (2370 Mass Ave. NW Washington DC)

[ⓒ 뉴욕코리아(www.newyorkkorea.net), 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지]