Jeonbuk Culture and Tourism Foundation Hosts 'Classic Walk Following Masterpieces Season 2'

A Total of 7 Performances from the 22nd to November 29th

Offering a Cultural Experience Combining Masterpieces and Classical Music

The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Culture and Tourism Foundation (CEO Lee Kyung-yoon, hereinafter the Foundation) and the classical music-focused small performance venue Culture Space Irum (CEO Lee Yoon-jung) will hold "A Classical Walk Following Masterpieces Season 2."

According to the Foundation on the 21st, this performance is part of the "2024 Small Performance Venue Support Project." This series of performances uniquely combines masterpieces and classical music to offer a distinctive cultural experience. It will be held seven times in total, every fourth Thursday and Friday of the month from October 22 to November 29.

The upcoming performances will blend artworks addressing various themes such as environment, youth, women, disability, and local communities with diverse music. This provides intellectual satisfaction along with musical richness for greater fulfillment. The artwork commentary will be provided by artist Choi Ji-young, who serves as the Public Relations Planning Director of the Korea Fine Arts Association and Jeonbuk Fine Arts Association, as well as the Chairperson of the Public Relations Planning Division of the Jeonju Fine Arts Association, enhancing understanding and enjoyment of the works and adding deep immersion.

"A Classical Walk Following Masterpieces Season 2" harmoniously combines masterpieces and classical music, offering a closer experience of culture and arts. By encountering masterpieces, painters, classical composers, and music across various themes, it provides insight into the lives of artists. This experience encourages local residents to embrace art and culture more deeply as part of their lives and contributes significantly to the cultural development of the local community.

Main poster for Jeonbuk Culture and Tourism Foundation's 'Classic Walk Following Famous Paintings Season 2'.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Culture Foundation]

The first performance on the 22nd, themed "Environment," features the works of "Go Bo-yeon" combined with classical music. Go is an installation artist actively working based in the Jeonbuk region, primarily creating artworks from discarded materials. The performance, blending his artwork commentary and life stories with violinist Lim Young-joo, cellist Park Jae-eun, and pianist Lee Young-shin’s performances, offers the audience a special experience.

The performance on the 23rd is themed "Youth." It centers on the works of Belgian surrealist painter "Ren? Magritte" and film OSTs inspired by him. Stories of his modern works that inspired youth, including films like "The Matrix" and "Avatar," will be presented alongside screenings of "My Neighbor Totoro," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Castle in the Sky," and "Howl’s Moving Castle." The performance is enriched by a collaboration of Jeonbuk-based musicians: guitarist Lee Sang-wook, violinists Shin Na-ya and Song Dong-jun, cellist Kim Joo-bin, pianist Song Chan-kyung, and traditional Korean vocalist (sorikkun) Lee Do-kyung. This six-member ensemble, the largest among the seven performances, delivers an orchestral sound that deeply moves the audience.

On September 26, the theme is overcoming disability. It introduces the great master Kim Ki-chang and his wife, painter Park Rae-hyun, who left a significant mark on the Korean art world despite hearing impairment. The performance aims to change perceptions of artists with disabilities and widely promote their outstanding artistic talents and passion. Their stories and works contribute to breaking prejudices against disabled artists and promoting diversity and inclusion. Matching the Korean atmosphere evoked by their works, performers such as daegeum player Kim Yong-joo, sorikkun Im Chae-kyung, guitarist Kim Tae-hoon, and percussionist Jeong Sol will present a diverse fusion gugak (traditional Korean music) performance including DozaRazi, Playground, and Aekmaegi.

The September 27 performance focuses on "Women," featuring the artist Cheon Kyung-ja. This stage is especially meaningful as it marks the 100th anniversary of Cheon Kyung-ja’s birth. Authentic artworks and personal belongings of Cheon Kyung-ja will also be exhibited for viewing. The exhibition is actively supported by Kim Saeng-gi, CEO of Narae Korea. The performance includes pieces inspired by Cheon Kyung-ja’s works, composed by Jeong Ae-ryeon, such as "The Legend of a Woman" and "Night of Star Picking." "The Legend of a Woman" was created when CEO Kim Saeng-gi, who truly loves Cheon Kyung-ja’s art, wrote lyrics inspired by her works, and Jeong Ae-ryeon composed the music. The performance features mezzo-soprano Shin Jin-hee, bass Lee Dae-hyuk, and pianists Lee Yoon-jung and Lee Young-shin.

The October 24 performance, themed "Disability," features Mode Louis. Pianists Lee Yoon-jung and Jang So-hyun, tenor Na Young-oh, violinist Kang Ji-soo, and cellist Yang Shin-young, the second largest group of performers, will participate. The string ensemble will perform animation OSTs, piano solos, and vocal solos.

The last October performance on the 25th, featuring Frida Kahlo, also centers on the theme of "Women." It is prepared with the "Trio Sol" ensemble: pianist Lee Joo-yong, violinist Park Chan-ho, and cellist Kang Ha-yeon. The performance explores self-discovery and expression, femininity and identity, courage and resistance, expressing inspiration and the inner world of women through her works. The passionate and complex life reflected in her art is conveyed through modern and dynamic pieces by composer A. Piazzolla, including "Oblivion" and "Liebertango," which belong to the classical modern repertoire.

The final performance on November 29, themed "Local," features Park Anna. The protagonist, Grandma Park Anna, will be invited to the stage to perform her favorite songs such as "Boarder" and "That Person Back Then" with a four-member band consisting of guitarist Lee Sang-wook, broadcaster and singer Ji Hye, double bassist Jeong Hyo-jun, and drummer Jeong Myung-jun. After the performance, the audience will hear Grandma Park Anna’s story directly.

'Classic Walk Following Masterpieces Season 2' Cheon Kyung-ja Edition Poster.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Cultural Foundation]

The colorful artworks and the composition of performers tailored to each theme make "A Classical Walk Following Masterpieces Season 2" an even richer performance.

Lee Yoon-jung, CEO of Culture Space Irum, stated, "'A Classical Walk Following Masterpieces' was first presented last year with the Foundation’s support, and this year, we have confidently launched Season 2 with an improved format as Culture Space Irum’s signature performance." She added, "We hope this performance will invigorate the local cultural community and enrich the daily lives of the residents."

Meanwhile, tickets are priced at 22,000 KRW for all seats and can be reserved by searching "A Classical Walk Following Masterpieces" on Naver. Notably, as part of Culture Space Irum’s environmental protection campaign, visitors who come on foot, by public transportation, or by bicycle can watch the performance for free upon certification.