A view of the exhibition “Sala de Espera (Waiting Room)” by Carlito Carvalhosa, 2013 (Kukje Gallery)
“Waiting Room”: Wooden utility poles cut through a gallery space from one end to the other in a new exhibition of Brazilian artist Carlito Carvalhosa in Seoul. The poles, each measuring 8-12 meters long, pierce through the gallery walls at Kukje Gallery in Jongno and extend to the bottom of the floor while supporting other poles delicately placed one on top of another. The position of wooden poles in a white cube triggers questions among viewers as his past works did by transforming everyday materials and familiar space into unfamiliar things. The exhibition is on view at Kukje Gallery’s K3 in Jongno, Seoul, until Nov. 12. For more information, call (02) 735-8449.
“Video Vintage”: An extensive video art collection is on exhibit at the Gwacheon Museum of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. A total of 72 video works that date from the early 1960s to 1980s examine the birth of video art, its expansion into other media in art and connection with the television era. Highlights include “Button Happening” by Nam June Paik, “The New Wave” by Fred Barzyk, “The Eternal Frame” by ANT FARM and T.R. Uthco. The exhibition continues through Dec. 31. For more information, visit www.mmca.go.kr.
“The Sleep of Reason”: British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman hold their first exhibition in Seoul at SongEun Art Space in Apgujeong until Dec. 7. The artists, known for some gruesome images in their artworks, have brought major pieces for the exhibition, including 19th-century portraits of wealthy men and women retouched by the artists to make their faces look as if they are decomposing. “Unhappy Feet” features innumerable miniatures of penguins that turn into predators and kill whales, polar bears and walruses in the South Pole. The adorable penguins in the movie “Happy Feet” are transformed with bloodstains around their mouths, preparing to attack a polar bear. For more information, call (02) 3448-0100.
“Robert Capa”: Rare original prints by the late Robert Capa are on exhibit in Seoul for the first time to mark the centennial of the photographer’s birth. Hailed as the world’s greatest war photographer, Capa captured moments that became iconic war images and continue to inspire many photojournalists and filmmakers to this day. The photos on exhibit consist of war images from major battles of the early 20th century and portraits of leading cultural figures of the period such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Ernest Hemingway. The exhibition continues through Oct. 28 at Sejong Art Center. Admission is 12,000 won for adults, 8,000 won for teenagers and 7,000 won for children. For more information, visit www.robertcapa.co.kr or call (02) 3701-1216.
Pop music
“K-Hiphop Nation 2013”: The two-day hip-hop music fest will feature some of the nation’s most popular rap stars and crews including Epik High, MC Sniper, E-Sens, Swings, Leessang, Bae Chi Gi, Bumkey, San E, Geeks and much more. The local hip-hop scene exploded last month, with disses flying in every direction as several popular rap stars, including former Supreme Team member E-Sens and Swings, decided to carry out their feuds publicly with some pretty cutthroat remarks aimed at specific members of the hip-hop community. The upcoming K-Hiphop Nation festival will be held on Oct. 26 and 27 at Jamsil Olympic Stadium. Ticket prices range from 66,000 won for a one-day pass and 99,000 won for a two-day pass. For more information, visit www.k-hiphopnation.com.
“Busker Busker”: “Superstar K3” runner-up Busker Busker brewed up a storm with its latest second studio album. Shortly after the album was released, all nine of its tracks were ranked Nos. 1-9 on most major online music services. In commemoration of the group’s follow-up album, Busker Busker has kicked off a nationwide tour starting in Daegu on Oct. 20, followed by two concert performances in Seoul on Nov. 1 and 2. Busker Busker’s upcoming Daegu show will be held at the Daegu EXCO with ticket prices listed from 77,000 won to 99,000 won. The band’s Seoul concerts will be held at the Gymnastics Stadium at Seoul Olympic Park. Ticket prices range from 77,000 won and 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.
Parov Stelar is to perform his first solo concert in Korea on Nov. 13 in the Olympic Hall at Seoul Olympic Stadium. (Parov Stelar official website)
“Parov Stelar Band”: DJ Parov Stelar, one of the musical pioneers behind the concepts mashing together new and old school music, will be returning to Seoul in the group’s first solo concert in Korea. Although the band has performed in Seoul on a number of occasions as part of the lineup for various jazz festivals, including the annual Seoul Jazz Festival, this time the Parov Stelar Band is bringing its brass-and-rhythm-infused electronic sounds in a full solo concert. With the band’s unique style of swing-time pop and electronica, Stelar is credited as creator of the “electro swing” genre. The Parov Stelar Band will be performing on Nov. 13 in the Olympic Hall at Seoul Olympic Stadium at 8 p.m. Tickets to the show range from 99,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.A promotional image of “Bonnie & Clyde”(CJ E&M)
“Bonnie & Clyde”: Broadway musical “Bonnie & Clyde” is being staged in Seoul for the first time. The musical features the infamous love story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the well-known American robbers who traveled the central United States during the Great Depression. The show had its Broadway premiere in 2011 and won two Tony Award nominations in 2012. “Bonnie & Clyde” runs from Sept. 4 to Oct. 27 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-0688.A scene from “Chum, Chunhyang” by the National Dance Company of Korea (National Dance Company of Koreathe)
“Chum, Chunhyang” and “Giselle”: The Korean National Ballet and the National Dance Company of Korea are presenting the romantic ballet “Giselle” and traditional Korean dance “Chum, Chunhyang” at the National Theater of Korea from Oct. 17 to 23. It is the first time that the two dances will be performed at the same venue, the National Theater of Korea, on alternate days. “Chum, Chunhyang” will be performed on Oct. 17, 19 and 23, while “Giselle” will be staged on Oct. 18, 20 and 22. For more information, call (02) 2280-5830.Visitors walk around the chrysanthemum park in Iksan during the Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival last year.(Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival)
“Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival”: Iksan, North Jeolla Province, invites visitors to one of the biggest chrysanthemum festivals in Korea. The festival will present more than 120,000 flower arrangements which will be on exhibit in the 35,000-square-meter garden at Iksan Central Park and Iksan Jewelry Museum from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3. For more information, call (063) 859-5797, or visit gukhwa.iksan.go.kr.Jukka-Pekka Saraste will lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Oct. 24 at Seoul Arts Center. (SPO)
“Jukka-Pekka Saraste Conducts Shostakovich: Masterpiece Series Ⅴ”: Noted conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste will lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra in the performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4, Tchaikovsky’s “Voyevoda Suite” and Berlioz’s “Romeo et Juliette” at Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Saraste, who has already worked with the SPO in 2011, is currently the artistic advisor of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. The conductor’s specialty is said to be in interpreting Scandinavian and Russian composers. Tickets are priced from 10,000 won to 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3700-6334.MOST POPULAR