The University of Hong Kong Museum Society

Art and Architecture in Seoul, Korea

with Corrin Chan and Kathy Park
16 to 22 October, 2010
Overview of Trip

Art & Architecture in Seoul

We will visit contemporary architectural designs in Seoul proper, guided by
contemporary Korean architect Choi Wook. Focusing on elements that
reflect both the essence of Korea's past as well as modern influences and
transformation, the first part of the trip will take us on a walking tour
through areas north of the Han River. The old city of Seoul rests on the
north, with residential districts surrounding the main palaces which are at
the heart of the city's original structured fortress, now long gone. We will
visit the areas surrounding Kyongbok Palace such as Samcheongdong and
Insadong where the old city's residential districts still retain their original
shape and forms in alleys and traditional houses, many retrofitted with
modern functions and aesthetics, including some of the works of Choi Wook
and other contemporary architects.

We will also visit the newly established Korean Furniture Museum, which has
the most extensive traditional Korean furniture collection exhibited in a
traditional structure built over 15 years, with much of its timber and
materials collected from redundant houses. We will also visit Kilsangsa
temple, a city Buddhist temple which has a modern organic Zen room built
by a Zen monk.

South of the river is a newly developed part of the city with sprawling real
estate developments in apartment housing and commercial buildings that
have created a boom in Seoul's real estate market since the 80's.
Contemporary architecture and interiors continue to be invented as districts
such as Dosan Park and Apkujungdong evolve under commercial demands.
We will visit the unique Hermes House, the first art and boutique center in
the world established by the Paris-based House of Hermes, where
contemporary Korean artists and designers are showcased along with
Hermes' signature collections. Horim Art Museum exhibits a range of
artists both contemporary and otherwise in a new, modern structure.

The last decade has brought about a giant leap in the contemporary art
scene in Korea, not only with its crop of new contemporary native artists but
also as its market emerged onto the world stage of art sales and auctions in
volume and scope. Korea's art market is thriving on the sales of native
artists as well as the famed pieces of contemporary world-renown artists.
We will visit the Leeum Museum which has an extensive collection of
traditional Korean art masterpieces as well as modern Korean and
international art collection in a structure designed in 3 parts by Rem
Koolhaas, Jean Nouvel and Mario Botta. We will also have a walking tour of
some of the most prominent contemporary art galleries in Seoul such as
Seomi and Tuus, Hyundai Gallery, Gana Arts and Kukje Gallery.

Magoksa Temple and Gongju City

As a respite from the excitement of the modern city of Seoul, we will take an
overnight trip to the ancient and peaceful Buddhist temple, Magoksa in
Chungchungnamdo Province. First established in the 7th century, this
ancient temple is situated in Taehwasan Mountain, and has survived intact
over centuries. As one of the head temples of the Chogye Order of Korean
Buddhism, Magoksa recently built its modern Buddhist Cultural Center
where temple stay and Buddhist education programs are held. We will take
a walk along the natural surroundings and also be introduced to Korean Zen,
and Buddhist influences on overall Korean aesthetics. On the second day, a
visit to Gongju City, the ancient capital of Baekje, will reveal some of the
finest Baekje artifacts, reflecting its glorious cultural heritage of its time and
its influence on modern Korean design and crafts.

Heyri Art Village & Paju Book City

A decade ago, the art and architecture community in Korea created a special
place called Heyri Art Village outside of Seoul, where innovative and
forward-thinking architects, artists and city planners merged to create an
ideal community of creative residents to inhabit an area near the 38th
parallel, to bring substance and symbolism to an area long neglected,
reviving the beauty of its natural surroundings and experimenting with
unlimited creativity in structural designs. We will spend a day walking
through Heyri's artist community equipped with galleries, studios, a library
and residential structures creatively designed and invented.

We will also visit Paju Book City, an ambitiously planned and established city
of cutting edge contemporary architecture housing some of the major
publishing houses in Korea.
Our Resource Persons:

Corrin Chan is a Registered Architect in Hong Kong. She is a director of

Axis of Spin Architecture, a practice that she founded in 1998. Corrin
studied architecture at the University of Hong Kong, graduating with a B
Arch. She continued her explorations at Columbia University in New York,
qualifying with an M Arch. Corrin worked in New York and Hawaii before
returning to HK in 1992. She is the recipient of the Asian Cultural Council
Grant and 'Walter Gropius' medal.

Corrin has been responsible for organizing many architectural forums,

exhibitions and competitions including -

- 'Exposure', Exhibition of HK Young Architects' Works

- 'Designing Hong Kong' Community Charette
- 'Monument for Hong Kong 1997' International Ideas Competition
- HKIA ' 2021' Book on Emerging HK Young Architects
- Curator of the books, 'Stories of Space' (空間的故事)
- Co-author of the Book The ' 逼 ' City

Corrin was the Chairlady of the '100-year Hong Kong Architecture',

Committee and Vice-Chair of the Hong Kong Architecture Center.

Her interest in Korean Zen Practice has led her to regular trips to Korea in the
past few years where she has witnessed the growth and changes of Korea
and its architecture.

Kathy Park is a design consultant and a practicing Zen Buddhist meditator.

She has worked for Comme des Garcons, designed the housewares
collection for Dosa Inc (http://dosainc.com/) as well as freelanced as a
stylist and art director in London for World of Interiors, Elle Decor, Browns of
London and the Cross. One of her vested interest is in developing
traditional Korean crafts and bringing both tradition and modernity together
with a root in spiritual awareness. Her recent 2009 design partnership with
London-based jewelry designer cum anthropologist and Survival
International Ambassador Pippa Small was a collaboration in bringing
Buddhist motifs and Korean Shilla dynasty inspiration to modern hand-made
jewelry to benefit the charity organization Lotus Outreach.
Currently she lives in Hong Kong at Su Bong Zen Monastery, with her
husband Andrzej Stec JDPSN, a Zen teacher. Kathy's main passion is as a
Zen meditator, to constantly experience the inner workings of waking up to
one's true self. She spends at least 3 months a year in meditation retreats
and develops projects for the Zen community.
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 16, 17 October, 2010
Seoul - North and South of the Han
River
We begin our day with a walking
tour of the area to view some of
the modern architecture Seoul has
to offer. After lunch of traditional
Korean dumplings, we will move to
Leeum Museum to enjoy the works
of 3 different architects and view
the collection of the museum. We
will go to Insadong area, for dinner
of nouvelle Zen Korean cuisine
before ending the day with a walk
back to the hotel via the
Chongyechon street. (L,D)

Our second day will be a visit to the

Dosan Park area with some of the
more interesting buildings and art
galleries, giving us a background
knowledge of Korean art. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – 4 18, 19 October, Chungchungnamdo Province
We have a change of pace from the hectic city of Seoul to the quiet serenity
of Mogoksa Temple. We stay here for the night and learn about Korean
Buddhism and experience a quiet temple stay. Please note that there are
no private facilities and that the cuisine is totally vegetarian. Apologies to
meat lovers but please be assured that the experience will be worth missing
carnivorous cuisine for just a short while!! We will have an evening lecture
on the Influence of Zen Buddhism on Korean Aesthetics with Kathy Park.
The next day, we will see more of this area before heading back to Seoul.
(B,L,D)

Day 5 - 7 20 - 22 October
Heyri Art Village and Paju
Book City
Today and for the next few
days, we will be travelling to
nearby areas to see what
Korean architects have done
in what used to be far away
isolated areas - creating an
art village in Heyri and a book
city in Paju. Corrin will give
us a talk about these 2
projects and we shall travel
and enjoy the ambience of
both places. (B, D)
 The University of Hong Kong Museum Society
Trip Registration Form
Art and Architecture in Seoul, Korea
with Corrin Chan and Kathy Park
16 to 22 October, 2010

Bookings for trips will only be accepted on a first come basis.

Please complete this form and mail it with your cheque made payable to
HKU Museum Society to

Mrs. Sef Lam Tel: 525 5063

Via Vai Travel Ltd Fax: 2526 9819
13/F, Flat B, Shing Lee Commercial Building Email: seflam@gmail.com
8 Wing Kut Street, Central, Hong Kong
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wish to participate in the trip to Korea. I understand the following details about the trip:

Total cost: HKD25,000 per person, twin share basis, and an additional HKD8,000 for
single supplement. This package price is based on 16 participants. If there are fewer
participants, the price will increase. If there is a significant fluctuation of the Korean won,
the price will be adjusted.
Registration: Complete and send this form with a non-refundable deposit of $6,000 on or
before 30 July. The balance is due on or before 1 October.
Cancellation policy: Your deposit of $6,000 is non-refundable. After payment of the
balance, refund or cancellation will be at the discretion of the Korean land operator. The
package price covers the land portion only as specified in the itinerary. Flights are not
included.
Package includes: 5 nights in Westin Choson or similar and 1 night temple stay at
Magoksa Temple, daily breakfasts, meals as specified, basic entry to sights, local English
speaking guide, basic gratuity to driver and guide.
Package does NOT include flights.
Liability disclaimer: The Hong Kong University Museum Society and their officers,
directors, employees or members shall not be liable to the participants for (1) any injury,
damages, death, loss, accident, delay to persons or property directly or indirectly
attributable to or arising out of this tour, or (2) any refund due to the cancellation of the tour
or portion of the tour unless such refund is received by the Society and (3) unforeseen
circumstances may result in some changes to the itinerary.

Please check box below:

( ) I wish to have a single room.
( ) I wish to share a twin or double room with _____________________.

Please send this form with your cheque and a copy of the identification pages of your
travel document.

Name (as per passport) ____________________________________ (Prof/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms)

Address: _________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Tel (O) ___________________ (H) ____________________ (M) __________________

Email: _____________________

Members meet at 9 am on Day 1 of the trip at the Lobby of Westin Choson Hotel in Seoul.
Please make your own flight arrangements from Hong Kong to Seoul. Should you need
information or help with flights and/or hotels, please let us know.