Art of the Everyday, Easily Accessible to Everyone!
(Published May 04, 2012)

Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art hosts The Beauty of Lines – The Beginnings of Modern Furniture
Exhibition offers insight into the variety and beauty of practical modern art (until June 10)

◇ An exterior view of the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art. ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong

Located in Hwarang Park of Ansan City, the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art (GMoMA) opened in 2006 after 10 years of backing from Gyeonggi Province. Since its opening, the Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art has endeavored to depict the locality of worldwide culture, the rising development of contemporary art, and the growing cultural homesickness experienced by three generations of residents. It leads you on a steady walk in the footsteps of the inhabitants of Gyeonggi Province, displaying various works of Korean culture, conversation, photography, sculpture, installation, media, and more.
◇ The museum walls are replete with decor, while an airplane installation hangs dramatically from the ceiling. ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong

The exhibition currently in progress, The Beauty of Lines – The Beginnings of Modern Furniture, enables visitors to rediscover practical everyday objects, such as the beauty of furniture as works of art. Given a new opportunity to concentrate on and examine these pieces of furniture as works of art, the lines and faces of which were previously taken for granted, we are able to feel the beauty of their straight lines and curves.
◇ The furniture of Gustav Stickley, a representative figure of American furniture designers. ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong

This exhibition, which focuses on art realized through living life in an artisan spirit, is composed of around 150 pieces by Gustav Stickley, the preeminent figure among American furniture designers, and the ‘simple but modern’ works of Scandinavian designers such as Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, and Ib Kofod Larsen among others.
◇ Armchair by American furniture designer Gustav Stickley ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong

Respected as the figure who had the greatest impact on American design and decorative art in modern times, Gustav Stickley introduced the English ‘Arts and Crafts’ movement to the United States and gained considerable public recognition. Even before making progress with his artwork, the artisanship of his furniture meant that his works were classified as both necessities and luxury items. The handcrafted solidity of Stickley’s simple and practical lines and craftsmanship helped to change the climate in which designer furniture was received by the general public.
◇ The furniture of Scandinavian designer Borgen reflects the forms of nature and humanity. ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong (journalist)

Scandinavian designers have made many pieces of furniture with an emphasis on designs that reflect natural forms and long curves, finding the balance between straight and curved lines. As something more than just pieces of furniture, the conceptual design style here is bestowed with the comfort of humanity: a perfect marriage between abstract circles and symmetrical beauty, concision and purity, the asymmetric and the natural.
◇ Helge Vestergaard Jensen’s mahogany rocking chair achieves aesthetic balance through a fusion of lines and curves. ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong◇ The chairs of Scandinavian designers displayed so that observers can try them out firsthand. ⓒ By Yoon Hui-jeong

Before the exhibition closes, you should definitely try sitting on one of the Scandinavian designer chairs. Visitors can experience the skill and context of the designers in a different time and space by sinking their bodies into a piece of furniture artwork here. The artistic discernment of common furniture that we see every day results in the expression of a beautiful design, and even extends to touching upon the beautiful symmetry of human comfort: this exhibition allows you to experience the beauty of Scandinavia, felt afresh by fusing art with mundane everyday objects.

The Beauty of Lines – The Beginnings of Modern Furniture continues until June 10th. Admission is KRW 4,000 for adults and KRW 2,000 for elementary school students and young people under the age of 19. There is a 50% discount for residents of Gyeonggi Province. Further details about the exhibition and content about the GMoMA can be found at the homepage (www.gmoma.or.kr).

ⓒ G-News Plus News | Yoon Hui-jeong, Kyonggi University Student Press Corps hjyooo_n@nate.com

Date of Input: 2012.05.04 14:33

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201205041450075175C056&s_code=C056