I have had quite eventful two weeks. After TEDxHONGIK after party on Friday, I really had to stay in this weekend to recoup my energy & here is why.
Seoul Digital Forum 2010
On thursday from two weeks ago, I was invited to go to Seoul Digital Forum at Sheraton Hotel. With title, ‘New Renaissance’ they had many many interesting panel talk about 3D, gestural interface, bio-plastic and creativity with 50 influential professionals inviteed from all over the world. This event was aired on SBS with its highlights (& I was on TV this year again as an audience 😉 ) It was a full day of inspiration. I was glad that I made it there.
Rock, Paper & Scissors, Public Art under the bridge
A week before that, I met some global artists when I visited Namjun Peik’s Art Center to see a performance one Sunday. They are friends with local Korean artists who mostly studied abroad and returned as contemporary artists. I was a newbie to them as I introduced myself but, they were friendly with warm welcoming gesture. Then, I was invited to a very interesting art event by them. It was called ‘rock scissors paper + B.Y.O.G.B. Vol 5/ 가위 바위 보‘ organized by Kalmont Family. I stopped by the flea market at the play ground near Hongik University area to say ‘hi’ to them after visiting lab. After meeting them again, I definitely wanted to go to this event. It was held under Seogang Bridge which is one of many bridges in Han River.
I left my house around 10:30 pm and took a subway to this Seogang Bridge stop knowing it’s the one way subway ride as the seoul metro closes after midnight. (I would never even had thought about going there late at night alone before.) There were drawings of rock, scissors and paper indicating the path lead to the place kindly. Under the bridge, there were international (mostly foreign) crowd of about 50 people (later 100?.) They were drinking beer, makguli, wine – talking in small groups here and there – typical party scene in the us. There I met some more interesting people. Most of all, the art, the true public art – street art were great! I admire their efforts of putting their arts during night to have this open, under the bridge exhibition. We did get a lovely visits by local police officers but, they weren’t doing anything to stop us – as we were peacefully having fun in public space & most of all, the majority were foreigners so they only spoke with a Korean represent. Later on, in the tunnel, they had beautiful performance. This artistic event has come out perfect in great spirit, spontaneously. I walked out around 2 am & got home for the next day’s salon event as I was asked to make cocktails for a salon at gallery/cafe, ‘B2Project.’ I bet the rest of them stayed until late and had more fun after they got out of the place.
Salon Day at b2project & Cocktails
Unfortunately, I don’t have photos of my Mojito nor my signature cocktail made with fresh watermelon. I was really busy making pitchers of cocktails – we ran out of lime quickly. I was surprised that lime is something you cannot get easily here in Korea. It’s quite expensive as well! In any case, I can assure you that my cocktails came out delicious!
As I had a busy night under the Seogang bridge a night ago, I slept until 11am and slowly got ready to go to B2Project. The weather was beautiful and sunny so I’ve decided to bike there. It was a long bike ride. I had no idea as it was my first time. It almost took one hour to get there and I was sweating by the time I arrived. (oops!)
J (a friend and one of the owners of the place) was having a salon for her friend, painter from Germany and her paintings were beautiful. Very eastern painting feel to them, in black and white oil paints – mostly landscape. I liked them… hew, what a weekend!
And Teacher’s Day
Following week, it was teacher’s day. I was visited by several ex-students of mine. They are doing great and it was sooooo sweet of them to visit me and think of me. I had some good chance to catch up with them and I’ve ended up drinking with one of them. Sorry that I’m too tired now so that I will have to skip about this story. One thing is that having insightful conversation with a former student made me think that teachers like me can learn from her/his own students sometimes. It was very pleasant week beside the fact that I was coughing non-stop with lack of sleep. I’m feeling better now… 🙂
I’m waiting for June now. I know June will unfold with even more interesting events and meetings.