{"id":1775,"date":"2011-12-23T07:59:29","date_gmt":"2011-12-23T07:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/?p=1775"},"modified":"2014-08-27T19:59:46","modified_gmt":"2014-08-27T19:59:46","slug":"the-importance-of-being-a-tiger%e2%80%94-tiger-motifs-in-korean-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/the-importance-of-being-a-tiger%e2%80%94-tiger-motifs-in-korean-art\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Being a Tiger\u2014 Tiger Motifs in Korean Art"},"content":{"rendered":"

A tiger \ud638\ub791\uc774<\/strong>, or the transliteration \u201cho-rang-i\u201d, is a significant motif in Korean culture, especially in the realm of folklore and folk paintings. <\/em>\ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4<\/strong> represent courage and pride; they are also a good luck symbol.<\/p>\n

Korean folk paintings, known collectively as \ubbfc\ud654, or the transliteration, \u201cminhwa\u201d were the common people\u2019s art formin the late Joseon Dynasty (17th<\/sup> \u2013 19th<\/sup> centuries), a pinnacle period of quality and quantity of painting in Korean history<\/em>. During this era, artists illustrated their love for their people and country with an emphasis on realism. The most popular \ubbfc\ud654 portray animals, particularly \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4. \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 were depicted as \u201csilent, but expressive\u201d, alluding to a feared and revered beast.<\/p>\n

\ubbfc\ud654, along with its \ud638\ub791\uc774 motifs, remain important aspects of Korean identity and culture\u2014influencing Korea\u2019s contemporary art.<\/p>\n

Last week I went to the opening reception of \u201cTiger-Silence\u201d, an exhibit at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea\u2019s Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. I took a seat in the back of the room, making fast friends with another Korean-American girl who said she was, \u201cobsessed with tigers.\u201d I asked her, \u201cWould you be able to translate for me, if I become confused during the presentation?\u201d She said, \u201cI am Korean-American, but I do not speak fluent Korean. I will try my best.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the opening reception, the embassy\u2019s spokesperson narrated a film that showcased various \ubbfc\ud654 \ud638\ub791\uc774 paintings. All of the paintings portrayed realistic, but stylized \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4; some \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 were illustrated with hats and people-like personas. Apparently, this genre is uniquely Korean. This historical montage was an introduction to the exhibit’s focal point, Im Taek Jun’s contemporary art\u2014 his \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4.<\/p>\n

\u201cCheck out the artist, Im Taek Jun.\u201d, I said quietly. Im Taek Jun (\uc784\ud0dd\uc900<\/strong>) is an inviting man with a quiet and playful confidence, i.e., tiger-like. Mr. Im has been a Korean contemporary artist since the late 1980s. He dresses as if he were a Joseon dynasty commoner in traditional baggy pants called \ubc14\uc9c0<\/strong>, or the transliteration \u201cpaji\u201d. He also wears his hair in a topknot called a \uc0c1\ud22c<\/strong>, or the transliteration \u201csangtu<\/em>\u201d; married men during the Joseon Dynasty would wear \uc0c1\ud22c\ub450\uac1c<\/strong>. His contradictions are endearing; his traditional garb and modern art.<\/p>\n

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Im Taek Jun; he is inspired by tigers.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mr. Im then took center stage and discussed his journey in creating his 21st<\/sup> solo exhibit, \u201cTiger-Silence\u201d. He does not speak English. A translator reiterated his words to a mostly Anglo-American audience. He said, \u201cI am always expressing creativity in different ways; I am a performer and a painter. I brought my \ud638\ub791\uc774 paintings from Korea to share with the world. I would like you to see the playful side of the \ud638\ub791\uc774.\u201d While smiling, he also said, \u201cI played, smiled, and cried with these \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 [I painted]. Be a part of the art work, as I am.\u201d His whimsical, child-like smile did not need translation.<\/p>\n

After the opening introductions, everyone was invited to eat dinner that was catered by a local Korean restaurant. My new friend and I gobbled up elaborate plates of Korean food \ud55c\uc2dd<\/strong>, or the transliteration \u201chansik\u201d!<\/p>\n

With full stomachs, we then walked upstairs to the exhibit. I weaved through the crowd, and observed each \ud638\ub791\uc774 painting.<\/p>\n

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Im Taek Jun and his son, Chae Ho, were politely observing us, while we were observing the\ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mr. Im\u2019s \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 are modern, colorful, and yes\u2014 playful. He reinterpreted Korea\u2019s \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 with a modern twist of \u201chumorous satire\u201d. I reminded myself of the traditional Korean \ubbfc\ud654\ud638, the \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4. I mentally juxtaposed traditional and contemporary\ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4: the Joseon Dynasty\u2019s feared and revered \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4; and Mr. Im\u2019s friendly and colorful \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4.<\/p>\n

Here are some of my favorite pieces of the exhibit:<\/p>\n

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\u00a0I wanted to ask Im Taek Jun many questions. I approached him with a formal bow. I forgot to bring my Korean language diary with collected words and phrases; I usually carry it with me as a security blanket. I froze. I said, \u201cWelcome to the U.S. I admire your work.\u201d He gave me a blank, but friendly stare. I flagged down the translator in a very ungraceful manner; \u201cUm, pardon. I am having a difficult time trying to ask Mr. Im questions regarding the symbolism of his paintings.\u201d The translator said, \u201cOh, I am sorry. I thought you spoke Korean.\u201d She kindly translated our conversation, which ended with smiles and a few formal bows.<\/p>\n

After mingling, my new friend and I decided to invite Im Taek Jun and his son on a tour of Washington, D.C. We casually asked his son, Chae Ho, who said, \u201cThank you for the kind invitation. Facebook me, and we can figure something out.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few days later, we all met up at in the L\u2019 Enfant area and went to the few museums. At the Natural Museum of History, we saw a taxidermal \ud638\ub791\uc774 suspended from the ceiling; in unison, we all said \u201cho-rang-i\u201d.<\/p>\n

After perusing the museums, we went on a short hike to find hamburgers. Out from the cold, we sat, ate, and conversed. My stunted Korean was enabled by my friend\u2019s intermediate Korean. She was my bridge. I asked, \u201cMr. Im, what does \u2018Tiger-Silence\u2019 symbolize?\u201d He said that in our modern world, many people talk without meaning. He wanted to make a statement with a \u201csilent tiger\u201d exhibit, explaining that a silent \ud638\ub791\uc774 has a quiet confidence.<\/p>\n

Ironically, I thought of how it has been decades since anyone has seen a real \ud638\ub791\uc774 in Korea. In a way, \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 were silenced in Korea with extinction. But through art, the tiger speaks silently.<\/p>\n

After our very American outing, we exchanged very American hugs. Mr. Im invited us to his studio in Korea. I felt very Korean.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you would like to see Im Taek Jun\u2019s \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4, his exhibit \u201cTiger-Silence\u201d will be displayed at the Korean Embassy\u2019s Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. until January 7, 2012. If you go, I would love to know what you think!<\/p>\n

If you are not able to visit Washington, D.C., you can visit Mr. Im\u2019s blog (where all of his artwork is listed): http:\/\/blog.daum.net\/upcloud2<\/a> .<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Questions for you:<\/p>\n

What do you think tigers symbolically represent?<\/p>\n

And, what do you think of Korean traditional art vs. Korean contemporary art?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Below are key words, a useful sentence, and a helpful grammatical tip:<\/p>\n

Key words:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tiger<\/strong>\u2014 \ud638\ub791\uc774; ho-rang-i<\/p>\n

Tigers<\/strong>\u2014 \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4; ho-rang-i deul<\/p>\n

Art <\/strong>(as a whole<\/em>)\u2014 \uc608\uc220; yesul<\/p>\n

Art <\/strong>(specific artwork)\u2014<\/em> \ubbf8\uc220; misul<\/p>\n

Traditional<\/strong>\u2014 \uc804\ud1b5; jeontong<\/p>\n

Modern\/Contemporary<\/strong>\u2014 \ud604\ub300; hyeondae<\/p>\n

Art painting<\/strong>\u2014 \ubbf8\uc220\uadf8\ub9bc; misul geulim<\/p>\n

Korean folk art<\/strong>\u2014 \ubbfc\ud654; minhwa<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A useful sentence\/phrase<\/strong> (Fill in the blank with a noun.):<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI like _______________<\/strong>.\u201d\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201c\ub098\ub294_______________ \uc88b\uc544\ud558\ub2e4\u201d; \u201cNaneun _______________ joh-ahada.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A helpful grammar tip:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When speaking in plural form, there are two possible word attachments:<\/p>\n

\ub4e4<\/strong>; deul (added at the end of a word; used for people and animals)<\/p>\n

\ub450\uac1c<\/strong>; dugae (added at the end of a word; used for objects)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

A tiger \ud638\ub791\uc774, or the transliteration \u201cho-rang-i\u201d, is a significant motif in Korean culture, especially in the realm of folklore and folk paintings. \ud638\ub791\uc774\ub4e4 represent courage and pride; they are also a good luck symbol. Korean folk paintings, known collectively as \ubbfc\ud654, or the transliteration, \u201cminhwa\u201d were the common people\u2019s art formin the late Joseon…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":1800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3,6,2871,13],"tags":[54461,54465,2942,2952,12088,54464,2988],"class_list":["post-1775","post","type-post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture","category-grammar","category-korean-language","category-vocabulary","tag-korean-art-2","tag-korean-artists","tag-korean-culture","tag-korean-history","tag-korean-museums","tag-korean-tigers","tag-korean-vocabulary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1775"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1775\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2878,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1775\/revisions\/2878"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1775"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/korean\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}