Sunday Rituals

Seoul Art Museum in holding a Renoir exhibit, featuring 150+ pieces spanning Renoir's career. The work was collected from all over the world, to be housed in Seoul until October. Its one of the largest displays of Renoir's work; there is a representation of his portraits, landscapes, and sketches.

I went to the exhibit with a group of English speakers that meet regularly to check out the Seoul art scene. Mostly teachers, ranging in age from early 20's to 40's, and handful of Koreans looking for a bit of culture and english practice. Most weren't impressed with the collection, another handful spent 3 hours in 3 of the 8 rooms. My opinion: Kwaen-cha-na-yo. It's okay. Renoir's work is admirable with pleasing scenes depicted and delicate brush strokes. The exhibit was lacking real experience and struggled to tell Renoir's story.

In the courtyard of Seoul Art Museum is a feature of contemporary sculptures which everyone argued if it was or was not art. I vote no. Inflatable soldiers and plastic ferrets sipping tea just don't do it for me.

The diverse group from Canada, USA, New Zealand, and beyond went to dinner after the event. We discussed art, North Korea, teaching, and living life the korean way. The restaurant was chosen by a French curator, who now works with three galleries in Seoul. We had a soup/stew dish, called Budae jjigae. A mix of meat, noodles, beans, veg, and tofu in a spicy broth bubbled away on the table. The Koreans explained that this dish was created when Korea was at war, had little money, and couldn't import food. They made this soup with whatever ingredients they had around. Some call it “poor mans meal”, which is fair enough because we had a table filled with food and drink and the tab totaled 6,000 Won per person, about $4.75; that barely covers that Double Macchiato from Starbucks!

Leaving the art group I ventured to Hongik University area to meet Sashi and Malcolm for our Sunday night jazz fix. Sunday evenings at Club Palm features a jam session of young performers swapping in and out with a slew of instruments. The atmosphere is low key and mellow, a perfect way to end the weekend. I was joined by two new Korean friends from the gallery meet up. Michael and Eric enjoyed the music, and in poetic Korean's english Michael said “you show me new world... live jazz sound in wonderful to me”. Me too Michael, me too.