"Joseon and Japanese Art"...National Museum of Korea's June "Conversations with Curators"

Exploring the Art of Joseon as a Confucian State
Highlighting Four Perspectives on Japanese Art
Special Exhibition: "Mana Moana"

The National Museum of Korea announced on June 2 that it will host "Conversations with Curators" in June, focusing on early Joseon Dynasty art and Japanese art. "Conversations with Curators" is a program held every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during evening hours, where visitors can enjoy exhibitions while listening to explanations from curators.

Kiyoshi Watanabe's Folding Screen Painted with Autumn Grasses. National Museum of Korea

The special exhibition "A New Nation, A New Art: Grand Exhibition of Early Joseon Art," opening on June 10, sheds light on the emergence of new artistic worlds following the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. The exhibition explores the new ideals and aesthetic values pursued by Joseon as a Confucian state, as reflected in a variety of artworks such as buncheong ware, white porcelain, ink landscape paintings, and Buddhist art.

On June 17, another special exhibition, "Japanese Art: Four Perspectives," will welcome visitors. Jointly organized with the Tokyo National Museum to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, this exhibition features 62 carefully selected pieces from both institutions. It is designed to allow visitors to experience both the external beauty and the inner sentiments of Japanese art.

The special exhibition "Mana Moana: Art of the Sacred Sea, Oceania," which has been steadily gaining popularity since April, will continue in June. Through traditional and contemporary artworks from Oceania, dating from the 18th century to the present, visitors can gain a multifaceted understanding of the lives, culture, and artistic world of the people of Oceania.

The permanent exhibition halls also offer stories about a variety of themed artifacts. The Prehistory and Ancient History Hall introduces the diverse cultures of ancient states through exhibits such as "Shaped Pottery of Gaya," "Glass of Silla," and "Tombs of Goguryeo." The Medieval and Early Modern History Hall features "The Beginning of Modern Education, the Korean Empire." In the Calligraphy and Painting Hall, "Joseon Dining Tables" and "Reading Buddhist Paintings" are prepared, while the Sculpture and Crafts Hall presents "Celadon Production Techniques Seen Through CT," offering a look at the approaches of conservation science. Also noteworthy is "Five Senses," an integrated exhibition and educational space for both people with and without disabilities, where visitors can experience the exhibits in new and diverse ways using multiple senses.