MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The new year marks a milestone for the longstanding friendship between Korea and the Philippines, spanning a proud 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. To celebrate this momentous event, the National Museum of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines(KCC) have worked together to launch Endless Landscape: Digitally Reimagined Korean Art, an exhibition featuring immersive video works that transform iconic Korean paintings. The KCC is hosting the exhibit on the fifth floor of its Taguig headquarters, from January 19 to June 29, 2024, at the Multipurpose Hall.
Endless Landscapeintersects the past and present with four traditional Korean paintings that have been reinterpreted in an expansive panoramic experience inside the gallery through stunning videos and sounds.
At the exhibit preview on January 18, 2024, KCC hosted representatives from the Korean and Philippine cultural industries, government leaders, and the media to witness the unique showcase of traditional art. The list of esteemed guests included Lee Sang-hwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, who stated in his commemorative speech, “This exhibition holds the distinction of the first of commemorative events in 2024, celebrating the diamond jubilee of our diplomatic relations. [This] is more than just a showcase, it is a testament of the friendship between Korea and the Philippines.”
He continued, “What makes this show outstanding is its unique blend of Korean art from the Joseon dynasty and advanced technology, [creating] a rare opportunity to experience the richness of Korean culture. The celebrations will not end here.”
The exhibit features Endless Mountains and Rivers; Royal Processions with the People; Pillars of Divinity, Chongseok Rocks, and Peonies in Bloom — works that each represent a significant aspect of Korean history and culture.
Endless Mountains and Rivers by Yi Inmun, a royal court painter during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), zooms in on the dynasty’s goal of realizing a utopia where humans and nature vibrantly coexist. The painting itself sees mountains and cliffs seemingly without end, with people navigating the endless spirals through carts, donkeys, rivers, villages and more. In the video exhibited at Endless Journey, these scenes come to life with surprising detail, showcasing a story of simple peace and community.
For the Royal Procession with the People, a work that was officially registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World, its focus is on documenting over 500 years of Korea’s royal ceremonies during the time of the Joseon Dynasty. The video centers on two major events: the 1975 processions of King Jeongjo, 22nd King of the Dynasty, and a 1796 banquet celebrating its completion. The exhibition recreates these scenes from two centuries ago with dancing and music, and the military drills of that era. Similar to Endless Mountains and Rivers, this video tells a moving story of a significant time in Korean history.
Pillars of Divinity, Chongseok Rocks, meanwhile, is a captivating sequence of nature, with the Chongseok Rocks of Gangwondo Province at the center. The landscape showcases the hexagonal rock pillars lining the coast, with dynamic movement and sounds brought by the crashing waves moving towards the viewers in the exhibit. The view itself is spectacular; but it’s the merciless waters, and the sounds that come with it, that truly bring the picture to life in the exhibition. And witnessing it in a panoramic view — with the cliffs surrounding the viewer and the waves seemingly crashing at their toes — is definitely a must-see.
Lastly, Peonies in Bloom evokes a feeling of royalty as a piece originally hung in the Joseon Dynasty Palace. In Korean culture, peonies are believed to represent wealth and prosperity and celebrated as the “king of flowers” for their striking aesthetics. The digital immersive video showcased at Endless Landscape goes inside a garden of peonies, capturing the majesty and grace of the royal family.
At the launch, National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA) Executive Director Oscar Casaysay underlined the importance of cultivating culture and traditions in this day and age through this exhibit, and hopes that Filipinos grab the opportunity to learn more about Korean culture and traditions through KCC’s efforts: “This initiative stands as a testament to the power or sustaining traditions in the digital era. As we stand at the beginning of this exciting journey, I express my thanks to everyone who participated. [Moreover,] I encourage everyone to support the lineup of events throughout the year as we continue to build bridges through art, and mutual understanding.”
The exhibit is truly a unique opportunity to look back on Korea’s historical moments and iconic images to cultivate a deeper understanding of the nation’s rich cultural tapestry, especially through the lens of the Philippines’ deep friendship with Korea, and the continuously growing appreciation of Korean content and landscapes among Filipinos.
Endless Landscape: Digitally Reimagined Korean Art is open to the public, with free admission and no registration required. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH
