I am taking a class that surveys Asian art. The class is broken into three major sections—Indian, Chinese, and Japanese art. One day was devoted to each Southeast Asia and Korea. When we covered Korean art, I noticed in the textbook how the examples of Korean art had been assimilated into the sections on Chinese or Japanese art. Because of the high influence of both countries on Korean culture (Korea was used as a mediator between Chinese and Japanese trade, Japanese colonialism, etc.), it is understandable that Korean artists would experiment with different styles. However, Korean art should be explored in its own right and not subsumed into Chinese and Japanese categories of art, minimalizing its importance in the survey of Asian art. One has to view works of art works in their own, larger historical and cultural context for it to be truly appreciated. Therefore, Korea seems to have been robbed of its art history.
6 comments:
I actually took History of Korean Art a couple of years ago at Ehwa Women's University in Korea, and while the course did explore Korean art in its own right, I found that it was especially confusing because of the Chinese and Japanese influences. I remember the time periods were unclear and confusing as well, and had a hard time remembering specific styles to its respectful time period. ALSO! I don't know if it's changed now, but I remember there not being many reliable sources of texts on Korean art because books gave different time periods and different names to the same style. I just remember it being very confusing :)
On the topic of Korean Art... For my final paper, I am focusing on the film "Chihwaseon," which is a biopic by Im Kwon Taek about the Korean artist Ohwon. In this film, which takes place in the late 19th century, the artist is striving to work in a time when tensions between China and Japan are at a height in Korea. In my opinion, some of the most fascinating scenes in this film reveal the artist at work- and the stunning results. Not knowing anything about Korean art before, this film really gave me a sense of the style and techniques (of this era). Sarah, if you are interested in seeing "Korean art explored in its own right"- you should see this film.
When I was younger, I remember watching a documentary on Japanese colonialism in Korean school and I remember it mentioned how during that time, a lot of Korean art was destroyed. Perhaps this is another reason for there being little to study? (Sorry I don't have an exact source and I'm drawing this up from memory...)
I still dont know how to post on blog. so this is my blog. "Korean art problems"
this article we read is hard for me to relate to Korean pop culture. but when I was reading art part, one idea came up which is about Korean art problem.
recently when i was reading Korean newspaper in japanese, i can see this problem" Shim jung ah". She made up her education back ground and got trust with it. with that trust, she was making money to sell fake arts. this shim jung ah problem made a new problem about fake arts in Korea. I dont know about him at all but according to news, lee jungsub who is a very famous artist in Korea, his drawings of 75% were fake.
this shim jung ah's problem became social problems in Korea I think
Sarah, you stole my entry! Just kidding -- but I am in the same class as Sarah and also thought it was interesting that Sherman Lee (the author of the textbook we use, Survey of Asian Art History) seemed to imply that Korea has a less significant role in art history than China and Japan. From the limited pieces we viewed in class, it did seem as if though Korean art was highly derived from Chinese sources, with only one or two uniquely Korean pieces available (the old crowns, etc.).
Just a random article I found during my research, thought I'd share:
http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=5&key=2007101925
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