National Museum of Asian Art Exhibition in the U.S.
Opening Postponed from November 6
The opening of the overseas touring exhibition of items donated by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee, titled "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared," which was scheduled to be held at the National Museum of Asian Art under the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., has been postponed.
According to the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Asian Art announced via an email from Director Chase Robinson that "the museum is currently temporarily closed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown" and that "the exhibition will open once the museum officially reopens." The museum also stated, "To avoid confusion caused by the sudden schedule change, we have decided to postpone the preview originally scheduled for November 6."
This exhibition has been in preparation since discussions began in 2021 and was formally organized following a support agreement for the Korean Gallery signed in 2023 between the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Asian Art.
This exhibition marks the first time the "Lee Kun-hee Collection" will be presented abroad. Under the theme "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared," the exhibition will showcase more than 200 items donated by Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
Highlights include the National Treasure "Inwang Jesaekdo" (Rain Clearing over Inwang Mountain) by Jeong Seon (1676-1759), the blue-and-white porcelain jar with a design of a moon and waves, designated as a Treasure, and chaekgado (bookshelf paintings) from the Joseon Dynasty.
However, with the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown, major museums under the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, remain closed.
The National Museum of Korea has completed preparations for the exhibition opening. Curators from the museum, who are responsible for collecting, managing, and planning the display of artifacts, have recently transferred all the items, and most of the necessary installation work has been finished.
With the postponement of the opening, the exhibition period is also expected to be shortened. The exhibition at the National Museum of Asian Art was originally scheduled to run until February 1 of next year, but since a touring exhibition is planned at the Chicago Museum and the British Museum next year, it will be difficult to adjust the dates.
According to the National Museum of Asian Art, the exhibition will open after the federal government shutdown is lifted and the museum reopens, and an opening reception will also be held following the opening.
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