"Dialogue in Blue" Exhibition at the National Intangible Heritage Center
Showcasing the Dyeing Process of Korean Artisans and Blaudruck
Raw silk fabric by Jeong Gwanchae, holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Dyeing Artisan title
The traditional indigo of Korea and Austria come together in one place.
The National Intangible Heritage Center will hold a special exhibition titled "Dialogue in Blue: Indigo of Korea and Austria" in its special exhibition hall from December 16, 2025, to March 22, 2026. The exhibition highlights both Korea's dyeing artisans and Austria's Blaudruck tradition.
Dyeing artisans in Korea use traditional techniques to color fabrics with natural dyes. By extracting dye from indigo plants and using various natural materials, they create clear and beautiful hues. This craft was designated as a National Intangible Heritage in 2001.
Blaudruck is a traditional technique in which a stamp coated with a resist paste is pressed onto fabric, which is then dried and dyed with indigo, resulting in distinctive patterns. In 2018, Austria, together with the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia, jointly inscribed "Block Printing with Resist Paste and Indigo Dyeing in Europe" on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The exhibition, jointly organized by the National Intangible Heritage Center, the Korean Cultural Center in Austria, and the Gutau Dyeing Museum in Austria, is divided into three sections.
The section "Indigo of Korea" sheds light on the history and records of indigo dyeing and introduces the tools and production process used by dyeing artisans. It also presents dyeing-related artifacts, such as the "Gisagyecheop," a historical record book with a cover made of indigo-dyed silk.
The section "Indigo of Austria" showcases the history, tools, and production process of Blaudruck through items from the Gutau Dyeing Museum. It also introduces the distinctive patterns unique to Blaudruck through a variety of handicrafts.
The section "The Present and Future of Indigo" highlights the efforts of tradition bearers from both countries to modernize and further develop these traditional techniques.
The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday each week. Admission is free of charge.
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