The University of Hong Kong Museum Society Art and Architecture in Seoul, Korea with Corrin Chan and Kathy Park 16 to 22 October, 2010

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1 The University of Hong Kong Museum Society Art and Architecture in Seoul, Korea with Corrin Chan and Kathy Park 16 to 22 October, 2010

2 Overview of Trip Art & Architecture in Seoul We will visit contemporary architectural designs in Seoul proper, guided by contemporary Korean architect Choi Wook. Focusing on elements that reflect both the essence of Korea's past as well as modern influences and transformation, the first part of the trip will take us on a walking tour through areas north of the Han River. The old city of Seoul rests on the north, with residential districts surrounding the main palaces which are at the heart of the city's original structured fortress, now long gone. We will visit the areas surrounding Kyongbok Palace such as Samcheongdong and Insadong where the old city's residential districts still retain their original shape and forms in alleys and traditional houses, many retrofitted with modern functions and aesthetics, including some of the works of Choi Wook and other contemporary architects. We will also visit the newly established Korean Furniture Museum, which has the most extensive traditional Korean furniture collection exhibited in a traditional structure built over 15 years, with much of its timber and materials collected from redundant houses. We will also visit Kilsangsa temple, a city Buddhist temple which has a modern organic Zen room built by a Zen monk. South of the river is a newly developed part of the city with sprawling real estate developments in apartment housing and commercial buildings that have created a boom in Seoul's real estate market since the 80's. Contemporary architecture and interiors continue to be invented as districts such as Dosan Park and Apkujungdong evolve under commercial demands. We will visit the unique Hermes House, the first art and boutique center in the world established by the Paris-based House of Hermes, where contemporary Korean artists and designers are showcased along with Hermes' signature collections. Horim Art Museum exhibits a range of artists both contemporary and otherwise in a new, modern structure. The last decade has brought about a giant leap in the contemporary art scene in Korea, not only with its crop of new contemporary native artists but also as its market emerged onto the world stage of art sales and auctions in

3 volume and scope. Korea's art market is thriving on the sales of native artists as well as the famed pieces of contemporary world-renown artists. We will visit the Leeum Museum which has an extensive collection of traditional Korean art masterpieces as well as modern Korean and international art collection in a structure designed in 3 parts by Rem Koolhaas, Jean Nouvel and Mario Botta. We will also have a walking tour of some of the most prominent contemporary art galleries in Seoul such as Seomi and Tuus, Hyundai Gallery, Gana Arts and Kukje Gallery. Magoksa Temple and Gongju City As a respite from the excitement of the modern city of Seoul, we will take an overnight trip to the ancient and peaceful Buddhist temple, Magoksa in Chungchungnamdo Province. First established in the 7 th century, this ancient temple is situated in Taehwasan Mountain, and has survived intact over centuries. As one of the head temples of the Chogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Magoksa recently built its modern Buddhist Cultural Center where temple stay and Buddhist education programs are held. We will take a walk along the natural surroundings and also be introduced to Korean Zen, and Buddhist influences on overall Korean aesthetics. On the second day, a visit to Gongju City, the ancient capital of Baekje, will reveal some of the finest Baekje artifacts, reflecting its glorious cultural heritage of its time and its influence on modern Korean design and crafts. Heyri Art Village & Paju Book City A decade ago, the art and architecture community in Korea created a special place called Heyri Art Village outside of Seoul, where innovative and forward-thinking architects, artists and city planners merged to create an ideal community of creative residents to inhabit an area near the 38th parallel, to bring substance and symbolism to an area long neglected, reviving the beauty of its natural surroundings and experimenting with unlimited creativity in structural designs. We will spend a day walking through Heyri's artist community equipped with galleries, studios, a library and residential structures creatively designed and invented. We will also visit Paju Book City, an ambitiously planned and established city of cutting edge contemporary architecture housing some of the major publishing houses in Korea.

4 Our Resource Persons: Corrin Chan is a Registered Architect in Hong Kong. She is a director of Axis of Spin Architecture, a practice that she founded in Corrin studied architecture at the University of Hong Kong, graduating with a B Arch. She continued her explorations at Columbia University in New York, qualifying with an M Arch. Corrin worked in New York and Hawaii before returning to HK in She is the recipient of the Asian Cultural Council Grant and 'Walter Gropius' medal. Corrin has been responsible for organizing many architectural forums, exhibitions and competitions including - - 'Exposure', Exhibition of HK Young Architects' Works - 'Designing Hong Kong' Community Charette - 'Monument for Hong Kong 1997' International Ideas Competition - HKIA ' 2021' Book on Emerging HK Young Architects - Curator of the books, 'Stories of Space' ( 空間的故事 ) - Co-author of the Book The ' 逼 ' City Corrin was the Chairlady of the '100-year Hong Kong Architecture', Committee and Vice-Chair of the Hong Kong Architecture Center. Her interest in Korean Zen Practice has led her to regular trips to Korea in the past few years where she has witnessed the growth and changes of Korea and its architecture. Kathy Park is a design consultant and a practicing Zen Buddhist meditator. She has worked for Comme des Garcons, designed the housewares collection for Dosa Inc ( as well as freelanced as a stylist and art director in London for World of Interiors, Elle Decor, Browns of London and the Cross. One of her vested interest is in developing traditional Korean crafts and bringing both tradition and modernity together with a root in spiritual awareness. Her recent 2009 design partnership with London-based jewelry designer cum anthropologist and Survival International Ambassador Pippa Small was a collaboration in bringing Buddhist motifs and Korean Shilla dynasty inspiration to modern hand-made jewelry to benefit the charity organization Lotus Outreach.

5 Currently she lives in Hong Kong at Su Bong Zen Monastery, with her husband Andrzej Stec JDPSN, a Zen teacher. Kathy's main passion is as a Zen meditator, to constantly experience the inner workings of waking up to one's true self. She spends at least 3 months a year in meditation retreats and develops projects for the Zen community.

6 Itinerary Day , 17 October, 2010 Seoul - North and South of the Han River We begin our day with a walking tour of the area to view some of the modern architecture Seoul has to offer. After lunch of traditional Korean dumplings, we will move to Leeum Museum to enjoy the works of 3 different architects and view the collection of the museum. We will go to Insadong area, for dinner of nouvelle Zen Korean cuisine before ending the day with a walk back to the hotel via the Chongyechon street. (L,D) Our second day will be a visit to the Dosan Park area with some of the more interesting buildings and art galleries, giving us a background knowledge of Korean art. (B,L,D)

7 Day , 19 October, Chungchungnamdo Province We have a change of pace from the hectic city of Seoul to the quiet serenity of Mogoksa Temple. We stay here for the night and learn about Korean Buddhism and experience a quiet temple stay. Please note that there are no private facilities and that the cuisine is totally vegetarian. Apologies to meat lovers but please be assured that the experience will be worth missing carnivorous cuisine for just a short while!! We will have an evening lecture on the Influence of Zen Buddhism on Korean Aesthetics with Kathy Park. The next day, we will see more of this area before heading back to Seoul. (B,L,D) Day October Heyri Art Village and Paju Book City Today and for the next few days, we will be travelling to nearby areas to see what Korean architects have done in what used to be far away isolated areas - creating an art village in Heyri and a book city in Paju. Corrin will give us a talk about these 2 projects and we shall travel and enjoy the ambience of both places. (B, D)

8 The University of Hong Kong Museum Society Trip Registration Form Art and Architecture in Seoul, Korea with Corrin Chan and Kathy Park 16 to 22 October, 2010 Bookings for trips will only be accepted on a first come basis. Please complete this form and mail it with your cheque made payable to HKU Museum Society to Mrs. Sef Lam Tel: Via Vai Travel Ltd Fax: /F, Flat B, Shing Lee Commercial Building seflam@gmail.com 8 Wing Kut Street, Central, Hong Kong I wish to participate in the trip to Korea. I understand the following details about the trip: Total cost: HKD25,000 per person, twin share basis, and an additional HKD8,000 for single supplement. This package price is based on 16 participants. If there are fewer participants, the price will increase. If there is a significant fluctuation of the Korean won, the price will be adjusted. Registration: Complete and send this form with a non-refundable deposit of $6,000 on or before 30 July. The balance is due on or before 1 October. Cancellation policy: Your deposit of $6,000 is non-refundable. After payment of the balance, refund or cancellation will be at the discretion of the Korean land operator. The package price covers the land portion only as specified in the itinerary. Flights are not included. Package includes: 5 nights in Westin Choson or similar and 1 night temple stay at Magoksa Temple, daily breakfasts, meals as specified, basic entry to sights, local English speaking guide, basic gratuity to driver and guide. Package does NOT include flights. Liability disclaimer: The Hong Kong University Museum Society and their officers, directors, employees or members shall not be liable to the participants for (1) any injury, damages, death, loss, accident, delay to persons or property directly or indirectly attributable to or arising out of this tour, or (2) any refund due to the cancellation of the tour or portion of the tour unless such refund is received by the Society and (3) unforeseen circumstances may result in some changes to the itinerary. Please check box below: ( ) I wish to have a single room. ( ) I wish to share a twin or double room with. Please send this form with your cheque and a copy of the identification pages of your travel document. Name (as per passport) (Prof/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms) Address: Tel (O) (H) (M) Members meet at 9 am on Day 1 of the trip at the Lobby of Westin Choson Hotel in Seoul. Please make your own flight arrangements from Hong Kong to Seoul. Should you need information or help with flights and/or hotels, please let us know.