"Sweet Attraction": American artist Peter Anton is holding his first solo exhibition in Asia. Nicknamed "Candy Warhol," Anton is famous for his oversized sculptures of ice creams, candies, popsicles and chocolates. They are highly realistic, tempting viewers to quickly take a bite out of them, but the immaculate and vivid colors also show the artist`s fantasies. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton is known to have collected Anton`s works. The exhibition runs through Oct. 24 at Urban Art in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. For more information, www.urbanart4u.com or call (02) 511-2931.
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"Seoul Design Olympiad 2009": A massive wave of whimsical designs has hit Seoul. "Seoul Design Olympiad 2009" is running in various spots in Seoul including the Jamsil Sports Complex, the main venue, Hangang Park, near Hongik University, and Sinsa-dong. The subtitle this year is "i Design," indicating that anyone is capable to create and enjoy decent designs. Various events, conferences, exhibitions and markets invite everyone to participate. You will not want to miss the exhibition showing the 79 winning exhibits of this year`s "Index Award 1009," a world renowned design competition held in Copenhagen, Denmark, and "i Design Marketplaces," which can be found in every venue of the event so visitors can buy and sell unique self-design products. The Olympiad runs through Oct. 29. For details, visit sdo.seoul.go.kr or call (02) 6361-3231.
"Dale Chihuly Solo Exhibition": At Avenuel in Sogong-dong, central Seoul, one will spot exquisite glass sculptures. The works are by Dale Chihuly, a world renowned glass sculptor. Also including his sculptures and drawings clustered at Lotte Art Gallery on Avenuel`s 9th floor, a total of 79 pieces are on display at Avenuel for his biggest-ever solo exhibition in Korea. Colorful yet lucid, the works perfectly match the posh shopping venue`s high-end image. Indeed, his works are very popular especially among fancy hotels and high-profile institutes world wide. The exhibition underway at Lotte Art Gallery inside Avenuel runs through Oct. 15 while the rest of the exhibits in Avenuel will be on display until Oct. 30. For more information, call (02) 726-4428 or visit www.chihuly.com
"Green Utopia": Savina Museum of Contemporary Art provides a short escape from the hot and dusty city with its exhibition "Green Utopia." Thirteen artists showcase 30 works that depict nature in a positive and optimistic light. A mini willow tree forest by Lee Hyun-jean is actually a work of video-recorded willow trees projected onto ribbons, but they look, feel and smell like real willows as you wander through the installation. Beside the willows, Won Seoung-won put up a very refreshing photo of her dream room; under the deep blue ocean a man happily swims with different kinds of fish, while water plants grow in every nook and corner of the room. The exhibition runs through Oct. 24 at Savina Museum of Contemporary Art in Anguk-dong, central Seoul. For more information, visit www.savinamuseum.com or call (02) 736-4371.
"Les Maitres de la Photographie du 20eme Siecle": An exhibition displays about 180 photos by 18 great photographers from the 1920s-1940s, including Andre Kertesz, Man Ray and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. The pioneering photographers known as "avant-garde artists" or better as "enfants terribles" tried everything that could possibly be done in the process of taking and printing a photograph. They distorted the images using mirrors, turned on the light while developing photos in the darkroom and messed with the printing paper. Being in black and white, the photos somehow excite more curiosity. The exhibition runs through Oct. 29 at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. For more information, call (02) 325-1077.
"The Clue": The third Gwangju Design Biennale came forth to suggest "the clues" that will eventually lead us to better designs. The clues revealed by the biennale can be summed up as "Korean culture" and "good for everyone." The biennale has one main exhibition divided into five parts -- Clothing, Eating, Living, Enlightening, Enjoying -- three special project exhibitions -- Design to Save, Design for Care, Street -- and a "Sing Sing Noraebang," a giant karaoke installed in front of the Biennale Hall. The main exhibition underway at Biennale Hall is the one that sheds new light on Korean traditional and modern culture, and the three special projects introduce nice designs that can satisfy everyone. The Biennale runs through Nov. 4 in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Tickets are 7,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for adolescents and 2,000 won for children. For more information, visit www.gb.or.kr or call (062) 608-4114.
"Portraits of shoes, Stories of feet": This shoe exhibition is from the Romans International Museum of the Shoe which is the sole and the best shoe museum in Paris. A total of 64 shoes dating from the 18th century till now are on show. The collection is diverse, from African shoes, Korean "jipsin," and straw sandals to fancy Chanels.
A funny thing is that only one shoe of each pair came to Seoul due to safety causes. Indeed, the beautiful shoes appear very fragile, and often too small. The exhibition runs through Nov. 8 at Seongkok Art Museum in Jongro-gu, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 737-7650 or visit www.sungkokmuseum.com
"In the Flower Garden": 63 Sky Art, the world`s highest art museum, is displaying about 50 flower-themed paintings, interactive installations and actual flower works by 40 Korean and foreign artists including Kim Whanki and Andy Warhol. The exhibition is divided into four parts. While the first division, "Beauty Garden," shows relatively ordinary flower paintings, the second and third, "Fantastic Garden" and "Re-creation Garden," exhibit abstract and reinterpreted paintings, plus installations featuring flowers. The final part, "Play Garden" is the most unique with many interactive installations that react to the viewers` voices and movements and make beautiful images. The exhibition runs through Nov. 15 at 63 Sky Art in Yeouido, southwestern Seoul. Tickets are 12,000 won for adults, 11,000 won for adolescents and 10,000 won for children. For details, visit www.63.co.kr call or (02) 789-5663.
"City_net Asia 2009": Asia has increasingly become a major force in the world in many different fields. So it should be of no surprise that it is making its mark culturally.
Though western culture may have dominated the world for the past several decades, eyes are turning to Asia. To get a glimpse of up and coming Asian art, the Seoul Museum of Art is hosting the "City_net Asia 2009" project. It is the 4th year of the biannual project which aims to analyze Asian art and introduce it to the world. Four cities -- Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing and Istanbul -- are featured in this year`s project. In total, more than 100 exhibits ranging from paintings, sculptures, photos, and installations to videos by 40 artists are on display. The exhibition runs through Nov. 22 at Seoul Museum of Art in Seosomun-dong, central Seoul. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is 700 won. For more information, call (02) 2124-8800 or visit www.seoulmoa.org
"Jean Prouve: The Poetics of the Technical Object": The first-ever and the biggest retrospective exhibition on Jean Prouve in Korea is underway at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum. The show, which came from the Vitra Design Museum in Germany, is held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the world-renowned French architect and designer`s death. About 90 pieces of his furniture, photos, drawings and videos are packed in the three-story museum. Among them, an armchair named "Grand Repos" is something viewers might want to take a good look at. Made in the 1930s, the chair looks simple, chic, yet comfy. But the most amazing part about it is its current price: more than 1 million euros (1.5 billion won). The exhibition runs through Nov. 29 at Daelim Contemporary Art Museum in Tongi-dong, central Seoul. For more information, call (02) 720-0677 or visit www.daelimmuseum.org
"Bae Bien-u Solo Exhibition": Bae Bien-u`s black-and-white photos of pine tree forests are mystical. Better known as "the pine tree photographer," Bae is not only one of Korea`s leading photographers but is also well recognized around the world. Back from Spain, where he had photographed the forests and gardens of Alhambra for two years at the request of the Spanish cultural heritage administration, the photographer is holding his solo exhibition at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Deoksugung, in central Seoul. About 100 photos, including the photos of the Alhambra, "oreum," or parasitic volcanoes, in Jeju-island, Changdeokgung in four different seasons and of course, his newest pine tree series are on display. The exhibition runs through Dec. 6 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Deoksugung. The museum is located inside Deoksugung, near City Hall station in Seoul (subway lines 1 and 2). For more information, visit www.moca.go.kr or call (02) 2022-6000.
"New York Philharmonic": The renowned New York Philharmonic holds concerts on Oct. 12 and 13 at Seoul Arts Center. Led by its newly-elected musical director Alan Gilbert, the orchestra will play diverse pieces from Beethoven symphony No. 1 to Mahler symphony No. 1. The concert on Oct. 12 features up-and-coming Korean violinist Choi Ye-eun, who together with the orchestra will perform Mendelssohn violin concerto. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 280,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6303-7700.
"Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra": Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra holds their 195th and 196th regular concerts on Oct. 15 and 16 at Seoul Arts Center and Gyeonggido Culture ＆ Art Center, respectively. The concerts feature renowned pianist Paik Gun-woo and pianist and led by Kim Dae-jin, an acclaimed pianist and conductor who serves as Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra`s permanent conductor. Paik will play Rachmaninov`s "The Rock" and Piano Concerto No. 4, and Brahms` Piano Quartet.
Tickets run from 10,000 won 70,000 won. For more information, call (031) 228-2813.
"M`s `Acoustic & Unplugged": Member of hugely popular boy band and idol group Shinhwa, singer Lee Min-woo will hold concerts titled Acoustic & Unplugged on Oct. 15 to 25 at the Chungmu Art Hall. Tickets cost from 55,000 to 66,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.co.kr or call (02) 2230-6601.
"Park Hyo-shin`s `Gift": Singer Park Hyo-shin will hold a concert titled Gift, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut, on Oct. 17-19 at the Fencing Gymnasium of the Olympic Park, south of the Han River, Seoul. Tickets cost from 55,000 to 99,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 2261-1393~4.
"Steel Heart`s Korea Tour 2009": Rock band Steel Heart, famous for the hit single "She`s Gone," is scheduled to play for Korean fans for the first time in 11 years on Oct. 17-18 at the Millenium Hall in central Seoul. Standing tickets start at 88,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call (02) 543-4728.
"Rain Concert": Hugely popular continental superstar singer and actor Rain will hold a concert titled "Legend of Rainism" at the Olympic Park Gymnasium kick-starting his Asian tour on Oct. 9-10. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com.
"Kathleen Battle": U.S. lyrical soprano Kathleen Battle, often called one of world`s three best for her light and silvery voice, gives her first concert here in 10 years on Oct. 29 ad 31 at Seoul Arts Center. Battle will perform classical tunes including "Ombre Mai Fu" from Handel`s "Serse" and "All Mein Gedanken" from Strauss` "Schlichte Weisen," as well as pop songs like Stevie Wodner`s "If It`s Magic" and "They Won`t Go When I Go."
Tickets run from 50,000 won to 250,000 won. For details, call (02) 548-0733.
"Helmuth Rilling & Bach-Collegium Stuutgart": German conductor Helmuth Rilling, a Bach specialist and leader of orchestra Bach-Collegium Stuttgart and chorus Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart, visits Korea for the first time for a concert on Oct. 30 at Goyang Aramnuri Aram Concert Hall in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. The maestro will present representative pieces of Bach -- "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen," "Jesus Meine Freude" and "Magnificat."
The concert will be at 8 p.m. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (031) 960-9722.
Musicals
"Assassins": A well-known creation by renowned composer Stephen Sondheim, "Assassins" will runs through Nov. 8 at The Stage in Sinchon, Seoul. Depicting the murder of a U.S. President by nine assassins, the show`s 2005 premiere drew much attention not only from musical fans but the general public. This year`s performance features musical actors including Kang Tae-eul and Han Ji-sang. Tickets are 50,000 won. For details, call 1588-5212.
"All Shook Up": The Korean version of a Broadway jukebox musical "All Shook Up," featuring music of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley, will be performed until Nov. 11 at the Chungmu Arts Hall in Heungin-dong, Seoul. Singer and actor Son Ho-young plays the leading role, Chad. The original piece was created by Joe DiPietro, also producer of a hit musical "I Love You." For details, go to www.allshookup.co.kr or call (02) 556-8556.
"Namhansanseong": "Nanhansanseong" shows through Oct. 31 at Seongnam Arts Center in Bundang-gu, Gyeonggi Province. The show is based on the incident of Byeongjahoran, the Chinese invasion of Joseon Dynasty in 1636, but generally relies more on the same-titled hit novel written by Kim Hoon. Although a historic musical, the show is more contemporary, tailored to modern viewers with pop-style singing and other devices, while putting emphasis on the overall style. Yesung of popular boy band Super Junior makes his musical debut playing the lead role Oh Dal-jae. Tickets run from 33,000 won to 100,000 won. For further information, call (031) 783-8000.
"Hero": "Hero," centering around the patriotic deeds of An Jung-geun is on stage from Oct. 26 to Nov. 15 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, marking the 100th anniversary of An Jung-geun`s assassination of the first Japanese Prime Minister of Korea, Hirobumi Ito, in 1909. The story of An has been told through other artistic genres before, yet it is the first time it has been made into a musical. Musical actors Ryu Jung-han and Jung Sung-hwa double in the role of An. Tickets are from 40,000 won to 90,000 won. For details, call (02) 2250-5920.
"Spring Awakening:" The Tony Awards-winning musical from Broadway premieres in Korea at Doosan Arts Center in Yeonji-dong, Seoul. The show highlights the confrontation between teenagers who have just started to discover their sexuality and adults who try to suppress them with their authority. It discusses diverse topics including abortion, rape and suicide. The Korean production revives everything from the Broadway show. Musical actors Kim Mu-yeol and Jo Jung-suk play the two leading roles, Moritz and Melchior, respectively. It will be shown through Jan. 10, 2010. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. To find out more, go to www.springawakening.co.kr or call (02) 744-4011.
"Legally Blonde": The Broadway musical that revived the film version of the movie with the same title premieres starting Nov. 14 at COEX Artium in Samsung-dong, Seoul. The Korean production features an impressive cast. 2006 Miss Korea Lee Honey, Jessica of girl group Girls` Generation and actress Kim Ji-woo each play Elle Woods who enters Harvard Law School breaking the prevailing stereotype of "dumb blonde." The show runs through March 4, 2010. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 90,000 won. For more information, call 902) 738-8289.
"The Phantom of the Opera": The Korean production of the mega-hit West-end musical, "The Phantom of the Opera," returns through Aug. 8, 2010 at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil-dong, Seoul. A British troupe performed here in 2005 featuring popular musical actor Brad Little as the phantom. This year`s show will be more spectacular than previous years, with a reinforced set and stage settings. Musical actress Kim So-hyun from the show`s 2001 premiere run stars as Christine. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 140,000 won. For details, call (02) 501-7888.
Dramas
"Long Day`s Journey Into Night": The famous play by Nobel Prize-winning writer Eugene O`Neill goes on stage for the first time in the 37 years since its premiere here. It will be staged at Myeongdong Theater in downtown Seoul through Oct. 11. The piece centers around the process where a family whose members lack dialogue later reconcile and come to understand each other. Cast includes veteran theater actress Son Suk and screen actor Kim Suk-hoon. Tickets priced from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For details, visit www.mct.co.kr or call 1644-2003.
"University of Laughs": The hit play from last year by theater venture group Yeongeukyeoljeon is restaged from until Jan. 31, 2010 at Eda 1 Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Based on the popular Japanese novel by Koki Mitani, the piece depicts a seven-day confrontation between an inspector trying to ban comic plays and a scriptwriter who values humor above all in his works, and the friendship that later develops between the two. Tickets run from 25,000 won to 40,000 won. For details, call (02) 766-6007.
"Story of an Old Thief": The popular play from Yeongeukyeoljeon returns at two venues -- Daehangno and Gangnam. "Story of an Old Thief," a satirical piece which sheds light on social and political issues with humor, has received favorable responses since premiering in 1989, making actors like Mun Sung-geun and Yoo Oh-sung popular. For this year`s version, veteran theater actors Park Jun-seo and Choi Jae-sup join the cast. The play is showing as an open run at Sangmyung Arts Hall in Daehango and COEX Artium in Samsung-dong, Seoul. Tickets are 25,000 won and 35,000 won. For details, call (02) 766-6007.
Circus
"ID": Celebrating the Global Fair & Festival 2009 Incheon, "ID," co-produced by Canadian circus troupe Cirque Eloize and local Showwave Entertainment will run through Oct. 25 at the Big Top Theater established for the show in New Songdo City. The troupe introduced "Rain" and "Nebbia" -- relatively lyrical shows -- in 2006 and 2007, respectively. "ID" is a faster and more dynamic circus set to modern music. Tickets run from 30,000 won to 100,000 won. For details, go to www.id2009.co.kr or call (032) 471-8600.
Festivals
"World Festival of Theaters": The 3rd annual World Festival of National Theaters will continue through Nov. 4. The festival, hosted by the National Theater of Korea takes place at two venues -- the National Theater of Korea and Myongdong Theater in downtown Seoul. For a detailed schedule and ticket prices, call (02) 2280-4221.
