<Land of Hats>   Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, Coreana Cosmetics Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Manila presents <Land of Hats>, one of the exhibitions under Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) ‘Traveling Korean Arts’   Hat is one of the most important aspects of Korean clothing culture as it is the final touch that ‘completes the look’. Depending on the period, situation, social status, and gender the hat has gone through various changes in terms of size, form, materials, and many more. At the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, around 150 pieces of Korean traditional hats from the latter period of Joseon dynasty up to 1940s will be exhibited, presenting the diversity of Korean hats.   Hats as the creations of National Intangible Cultural Heritage and other artisans, exhibit both the beauty and the complexity of Korean craftmanship. Along with the actual hats, more diverse experiences are presented through paintings, photographs, and installations that were inspired by the Korean traditional hats.   <Land of Hats> is held at the newly located Metropolitan Museum of Manila in Bonifacio Global City where the visitors can easily access with their family and friends.   We wish that you can visit and experience the craftsmanship of the artisans, Korea’s unique hat culture, and the connection between tradition and modern right here at Manila.   <Reservation Link> https://tinyurl.com/TheM-2022ScheduleYourVisit <Contact> Joanah.cago@metmuseummanila.org <Exhibition Location> 3rd Floor Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Mariano K Tan Center, 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City   <Operating Hours> Tue-Sat 10:00 – 11:30, 14:00 – 15:30   *Visitors are required to reserve through the link and receive confirmation email from the Metropolitan Museum before visiting. **No admission fee.

<Punghwa, Light of ASEAN> In collaboration with Korea’s Asia Culture Center which aims to contribute to cultural exchanges between Korea and Asia, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines is pleased to present its 10th Anniversary and Opening Commemorative Exhibition, Punghwa, Light of ASEAN. In 2011, Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines opened its doors and has continuously exchanged cultural knowledge of both countries in the past 10 years. Throughout these years, the Center also learned about the similarities of Korea and the Philippines. One of which is their fondness to the ‘light culture’, a symbol of hope and a practice of wishing into the shining light in the dark sky. This kinetic lighting artwork, Punghwa, Breezing Ember and Myohwa, Mysterious fire, perfectly reflects this message into a magnificent experiential imagery. This artwork, produced by media artist group SILO Lab, revolves around the theme of the aspects of light culture in the ASEAN. Kinetic lighting work, Punghwa, Breezing Ember, which features re-mediated traditional lanterns, depicts the scene of people flying their wishes over the river. Together with Myohwa, Mysterious fire, which expresses the analog vibe of incandescent bulbs with ignition and extinction, they deliver the beauty of the lights and the dreamy impression of its glimmer. We hope the visitors have a meaningful experience by realizing Korea and the Philippines’ connection through the light that emits our hopes. <Contact> 5F Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, 59 bayani road, Taguig city, Metro Manila +63-2-8555-1709/1711 <Operating Hours> Mon-Fri 9:00 - 16:00 Sat 10:00 - 16:00 * Entrance cut off is 15:30 ** No Admission Fee

PRESS RELEASE 35 KOREAN MULTIMEDIA ARTISTS SHOWCASE ‘SOCIAL CHANGE’ THROUGH CONTEMPORARY ART    After highlighting Korean sensibilities and aesthetics inside a modern home, this time, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines has now teamed up with Korean Contemporary Artists Association (KCAA) for another multimedia exhibition.    Launched last November 28, the ‘Korean Contemporary Artists Association Exhibition 2019,’ will run until February 28, 2020 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. The exhibit came to the country as one of integral parts of the art and cultural festivities celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Philippine and Korean bilateral relations and the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.     Some 17 artists, out of the 35 exemplary artists who participated in the exhibition, including KCAA Chairman Shin Cheol-kyun especially flew to the Philippines to take part in the opening reception, which was attended by Ambassador HAN Dong-man of the Republic of Korea.   In his congratulatory speech, Ambassador HAN praised the artists’ creativity and emphasized how contemporary art reflects social change. With the theme 'Korean Contemporary Art Today,’ the exhibition featured paintings, sculptures and installations that presented a unique cultural identity of Korea that offers an alternative and deeper perspective about Korea and its people. Ambassador HAN hopes that the exhibit would also pave the way to foster a deeper relationship between the Filipinos and Koreans through the language of visual arts.    Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines together with Korean Contemporary Artists Association and Metropolitan Museum of Manila, “Korean Contemporary Artists’ Association Exhibition 2019” will be running from until February 28, 2020 at the Galeriya Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Metropolitan Museum of Manila.   Follow Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram and Twitter for more updates about the Embassy and KCC’s events and activities. PHOTO

PRESS RELEASE ‘KOREAN LIFE AESTHETICS’ EXHIBIT LAUNCHES ARTWORKS THAT HIGHLIGHT BEAUTY AND FUNCTIONALITY Art enthusiasts from the local scene, along with select VIPs, and guests filled the Metropolitan Museum of Manila lobby on November 14, as they expressed their appreciation for the art pieces at the “Korean Life Aesthetics” exhibition.   The simple yet tasteful exhibit, which aims to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Philippine and Korean bilateral relations, is made possible by the collaboration of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines with renowned artist group, Korea Craft and Design Foundation (KCDF).   Set in a hanok, Korean traditional house, the exhibit features contemporary design and crafts in the form of furniture and household objects that mirror Korean Aesthetics.   The event began with a commemorative fan dance performance from the traditional Korean dance group, Nara Team. While MET’s president Tina Colayco formally opened the night with a speech highlighting the creativity of the artists, followed by KCDF president CHOI Bong-hyun and KCC director LEE Jin-cheol, who both congratulated the artists for their passion and commitment to their crafts.   Exhibit director Jin Hyo-Seung ended the event by touring the guests to the exhibition hall, while expertly explaining the inspiration and hard work behind all four areas of it namely: Elegant Boudoir, Simple Study, Table Set of Accommodation, and Naturalistic Rest.   Several participants got to have a more in-depth knowledge about the exhibit and the artist’s artworks during the educational program last November 16. Artists KIM Wan-kyu, LEE Hun-chung, KANG Shin-jae, and KIM In-ja ably talked about their crafts and shared some history about word work, ceramics and the famous Korean national costume, Hanbok.   “Korean Life Aesthetics,” which will be running until January 31, 2020 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, will continue the collaborative artistic and cultural exchange between the Philippines and Korea.   Follow Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram and Twitter for more updates about KCC’s events and activities.

PRESS RELEASE 33 KOREAN ARTISTS TO SHOWCASE INTERPRETATION OF ‘ART IN DAILY LIFE’ IN THE KOREAN LIFE AESTHETICS CRAFT EXHIBITION   Still in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Philippine and Korean bilateral relations, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines has teamed up with the renowned Korea Craft and Design Foundation to launch the “Korean Life Aesthetics” craft exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum.  The exhibit, which will be opening on November 14, 2019, will be running until January 31, 2020. It is set to give a peek on the contemporary design and crafts in the form of furniture and household objects that mirror Korean Aesthetics and enrich the people’s daily lives.  A good 33 artists came together and shared their highest design quality crafts totaling to 74 artworks that are set in a hanok, Korean traditional house for the exhibition. They have unleashed their notable creativity in various spaces in a home where you can feel Korea’s unique ambiance. These four sections are the Elegant Boudoir, Simple Study, Table Set of Accommodation, and Naturalistic Rest.  Craft has long been known in connecting people by adding the lifestyle of culture to time -honored skills. In turn, the expertise and aesthetic are passed down to the next generation, which then forms the cultural identity of a nation.    Participating Korean artists namely Kim In-Ja, Lee Hun-Chung, Kim Wan-Kyu, and Kang Shin -Jae will be discussing the core of the exhibit and how culture is deeply ingrained in arts and crafts. To further the cultural exchange, an educational program titled “Life Aesthetics” of Korean Crafts will take place on Saturday, November 16 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s gallery lobby and exhibition hall, wherein the participating artists and the exhibition director Jin Hyo-Seung will be discussing about the history of their artworks.  Apart from showcasing talent and mastery, the exhibit and the educational program is set to give the audience in Manila a valuable perspective on the aesthetics and functionality of Korean design and crafts for everyday living. Making this creative gathering even more meaningful is the fact that it caps off the year-long celebration of the 70 years of friendship between the Philippines and Korea.   Made possible by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines together with Korea Craft and Design Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Metropolitan Museum Manila, the Korean Life Aesthetics craft exhibition will also continue the collaborative artistic and cultural exchange between the two countries.   Follow Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram and Twitter for more updates about the exhibition and other KCC events and activities.