The biggest exhibition of typefaces and texts as visual art is being held at the former Seoul Station, shedding light on the transformation of typography and the act of writing and reading in the digital age. The third Seoul International Typography Biennale, which kicked off Friday, explores the dual role of typography ― as a language and visual art ― through works by 58 international artists.First launched in 2009, the typography biennale is the only biannual exhibition in the world devoted to

Busan kicks off its biggest sales event next month, offering discounts up to 70 percent in shopping, accommodation, dining and travel programs in the city’s popular tourist destinations from Sept. 1 to Oct. 10. Nearly 3,800 businesses are participating in the 2013 Busan Grand Sale, up by 63 percent from 2,400 shops that participated in last year’s sales event. For shopping, department stores and duty-free shops offer discounts and free gifts: Lotte Duty Free offers a 5 to 15 percent discount on

The Korea Herald is publishing an interview series on some of the world’s most creative minds who are invited to Korea to share their design philosophies and vision during the Herald Design Week 2013, Oct. 7-11. ― Ed. By Lee Woo-young London-based designer Gary Card has explored areas between design and art with a diverse mix of work such as sculptural props, illustrations and set designs. Although it’s hard to give him a label, he has fallen under such names as prop-maker, illustrator and set d

Smart packaging is the latest development in the Korean packaging industry ― the technology that enables consumers to connect with and communicate better with products, according to Shim Jin-kie, director of the Korea Packaging Center of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology.“Technology creates products and packages that are easy and convenient to use. Some packages will be built with a technology that talks to users about product information, such as how to use it and how many days are l

This is the third installment in an eight-part series that examines the social role of design beyond its aesthetic aspect. The weekly series is a precursor to Herald Design Week 2013 from Oct. 7-11, which will be organized under the theme of “Re-imagine the World.” ― Ed.Sustainability has been a keyword in the world of design for nearly a decade and packaging design has been no exception in this effort. The packaging industry moved from the conventional idea of the role of packages as a sales bo

British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman, brothers as well as artists, make their artworks as horrific and awful as possible. They paint the faces of wealthy men in 19th century portraits, making them look decomposed with the deformed image revealing rotting veins and muscles underneath the skin. The portraits bought at an auction by the artists were redone to point out how futile their wealth and life has become as their paintings, once a symbol of wealth, ended up for sale. The portrait is the l

Artist Kim Tschang-yeul holds a retrospective that looks back on his artistic career, following his grand retrospective held in Taiwan earlier this year. The exhibition presents some 40 works that cover each stage of the 84-year-old artist’s career, including those from the early 1970s which saw the birth of his signature “Waterdrops” series to the present, shedding light on the transformation of Korean contemporary art as well. The retrospective at the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts featur

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) ― Actor Ben Affleck will play Batman in an upcoming Superman sequel that will see the two caped crusaders face off against each other, film studio Warner Bros Pictures said on Thursday. Affleck, 41, will take on the role of reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne, Batman’s alter-ego, in director Zack Snyder’s 2015 sequel to this year’s Superman reboot “Man of Steel,” starring 30-year-old British actor Henry Cavill. “We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Co

This is the third in a series on producers, MCs, DJs and artists working in the Korean underground hip-hop scene. ― Ed.Despite high ratings and relative success, hip-hop artist MC Meta ― one half of established duo Garion ― said a lot needed to be done for future seasons of Mnet hip-hop audition show “Show Me the Money.”While the hip-hop talent search program, which just wrapped up its second season, did put more up-and-coming underground artists in the limelight, Meta said for him as a producer

Two little brave larvae, Red and Yellow, embark on an adventure out into the world from the sewage drain in which they live.They fly out of the sewer after turning into butterflies, but in the blink of an eye, they lose their wings in an airplane accident, and begin an urban adventure facing a series of dangers in a large metropolitan city. Their tales of everyday survival play out continually in “Larva,” featured on screens in Seoul’s subway and buses. “They make everyone laugh. It doesn’t targ

Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul presents autumn packages for those wishing to take a break with family or friends. The package features a luxurious stay in a studio apartment, a one-bedroom apartment that comes with a king-sized bed, or a two-bedroom apartment with two separate bedrooms, each having a queen-sized bed and a king-sized bed. The deluxe apartments create an ambience that is similar to a private home as they feature an expansive living room and a fully-equipped kitchen. The package

Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, one of the largest nuclear power plant sites in Korea, was the first county in Korea to recognize the need for personal electric vehicles as a way to offer safe and comfortable mobility for the elderly, who make up around 25 percent of the county’s total population. The county also reports frequent accidents involving tractors that are used by many elderly for not just farming, but also for short commutes. In 2011, 4 out of 10 car accidents involved ag

The electric personal mobility vehicle ― a one-passenger car that comes in various shapes and sizes ― should break away from traditional automobile design in order for people to adopt the innovative vehicle for the urban lifestyle, according to Lee Keun, dean of the International Design School for Advanced Studies at Hongik University.“It’s a new genre of mobility. The material, design and fuel are completely different from gas-powered cars. The reason people feel hesitant to embrace the electri

An international showcase of modern craft trends will be held in the birthplace of the metal crafts, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, next month. The 8th Cheongju International Craft Biennale, the world’s biggest craft festival, aims to focus on the artistic aspect of craftworks as well as their practical uses and purposes, bringing together 6,000 works by 3,000 artists from 60 countries around the world. Under the theme of “Something OLD Something NEW,” the craft biennale will exhibit all

Over the past five years, young artists have been moving into Mullae-dong in northwestern Seoul in search of affordable space. The influx of artists into the former steel workshop site has made the area one of the most vibrant artistic spots in Seoul with the number of artists reaching an estimated 200. Often compared to Willamsburg in Brooklyn, New York City, Mullae-dong is now seeking to get closer to local residents and citizens in Seoul with its annual art festival. The 7th Mullae Arts Festi

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) ― State officials say Florida tourism is booming, with 23.4 million visitors coming to the state in the second quarter of 2013.According to Visit Florida, the state’s official marketing arm, there was an increase of visitors by 2.6 percent over the same period in 2012. Officials say that the second quarter of 2012 ― April to June ― is the largest second quarter for tourist visits in the state’s history.Through the first half of 2013, Florida welcomed 49.6 million visito

By Chris Erskine, Los Angeles TimesVANCOUVER, Canada ― For a decade or more, the Vancouver area has enjoyed a reputation as the Asian food capital of North America. Near the airport south of town, locals and visitors flock to Alexandra Road in Richmond, a three-block stretch packed with modest noodle houses and grand banquet rooms.It’s called “Food Street,” and seemingly every type of Asian cuisine is on parade here ― Cantonese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, plus a melding of all of the above.For a fo

NEW YORK (AP) ― Justin Timberlake is set to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards later this month.He will also receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award at the Aug. 25 awards show, the network said Thursday. Timberlake is tied with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis for the most nominations, with six each.Timberlake’s nominations include video of the year, best male video and pop video for “Mirrors.” His comeback album, “The 20/20 Experience,” is the year’s best-selling album. He’ll release “The 20

This is the first in an eight-part series that examines the social role of design beyond its aesthetic aspect. The weekly series is a precursor to Herald Design Week 2013, Oct. 7-11, which will be organized under the theme of “Re-imagine the World.” ― Ed.Korea is today one of the leading industrial nations with cutting-edge technologies and dynamic design. However, it has not been long that design emerged as a major factor in the manufacturing and lifestyle of Koreans. Considering the country ha

The story of a Korean family who dedicated their life to independence movement of Korea is being retold at the Seoul Museum of History to mark Korea’s independence from Japan 68 years ago. The exhibition “A Story of the Dongnong Family: 27 years with the Korean Provisional Government” retraces their footprints of life in exile in China after Korea was colonized by Japan in 1910. The 27-year quest to achieve independence is narrated by documents, photographs and belongings of the family and other