A Cultural Outing for Chuseok

Andy Warhol: Art and Myth—

An exhibit of the self-portraits and painting series of Andy Warhol (1928~1987), the undisputed giant of 20th-century Pop Art. The exhibit, sponsored by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, showcases 25 pieces that Warhol painted between 1977 and 1986.

Although the artist as revealed in his self-portraits seems fragile, his gaze is as intense as that of a phoenix. Depicted close-up, with silver hair against a black background, he looks directly into the eye of the beholder as if just emerging out of a hallucination.

The exhibit also features silkscreen-on-paper renderings of such 20th-century celebrities and luminaries as Jane Fonda, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Joseph Beuys, and Denmark’s Queen Margaret II. Warhol’s technique of creating magnified copies of material from the mass media—a cut from a cartoon, a photograph accompanying a newspaper report, the poster of a famous actor or actress, etc.—using silkscreen simultaneously extols and criticizes today’s culture of mass consumption. Admission 4,000 won. On through October 24 at the Juliana Gallery in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. Closed on October 28. 02-514-4266

Special Exhibit: “Men and Gods in the Rome of Caesars”—

The Seoul Museum of History’s exhibit commemorating the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy. Organized jointly by the Seoul Museum of History (director Kim U-rim) and the Italian Embassy, the event will feature over 390 pieces of marble statuary, craftwork, and jewelry from the collection belonging to the Museum of Tuscany in Italy. The theme of the exhibit is “Men and Gods.” The “Men” section contains artifacts that reflect the everyday lives of Romans such as pottery, earthenware lamps, coins engraved with the images of Caesars, and the intaglio jewelry that Rome was famed for. The “Gods” section includes a head and a mask of Jupiter, a head and a small bronze statue of Minerva, and a sculpture depicting Hercules. General museum admission (700 won for adults, 300 won for youths, soldiers, and police, free for children and seniors) grants you access to the special collection. September 24~November 14, closed on September 27. 02-724-0274∼6

Other Events—

Web artist “Young-Hae Chang Heavy Industries” presents “Bust Down the Door!”—a web art project created with Flash that combines moving text with music. As a beat-heavy soundtrack booms in the background, various texts in Gothic type shot from 10 different projectors rapidly flicker on and off, riveting the eyes of the audience. Currently showing through October 31 (closed September 27~28) at the Rodin Gallery on Taepyeong-ro, Seoul. 02-2259-7781

Yang Man-ki’s “Artist Company” is holding an exhibit entitled “Tefal Dream House,” hosted by the French kitchenware manufacturer Tefal. Yang shows that the contemporary kitchen is not simply a space for cooking but also a space filled with love, in which the family comes together. The show also features family-themed frying pans and other cookware personally designed by Yang himself. Through October 5 (closed September 28) at the Gana Art Gallery in Insa-dong, Seoul. 02-720-1020

Opening Monday at the Seoul Plaza, in front of the Seoul City Hall, is famous “National Geographic” photographer Michael Yamashita’s “Marco Polo: A Photographer’s Journey,” which features photographs from Yamashita’s three-year trek along the route followed by March Polo. Sponsored by Greenfund (standing director Choi Yeol), the exhibit is admission-free 24 hours a day and includes photographs of the beautiful natural landscape between Beijing and Venice, and scenes of environmental destruction caused by war, poverty, and earthquakes, alongside photos depicting the restoration and recovery efforts. September 20~October 31. 02-725-3654

Mun-Myung Huh angelhuh@donga.com