Reflections on the Korean National Museum

Man, this is a first rate museum.
It is beautiful, elegant bold and just plain well done.
It is newer than Greece's Archaeological museum, but it outshines the Greek museum by a long's way. I think only the Kimball or the Guggenheim is a more beautiful structure.

Museum note. Every museum has a message in what they are trying to convey. especially a National Museum. What is Korea trying to say about itself. This building by its quality and its collection is saying, "Korean culture is a world class culture."

there were tons of kids and parents in the museum. The parents were talking with the kids, explaining what this artifact meant. You could tell by the conversation.

They began with prehistoric artifacts and they showed how Korean culture was like any other culture in the world. Then they did a great job of showing the evolution and progression of the Korean people. The National Treasure distinction was put on the highest of quality artifacts. However, there are national treasure artifacts outside of the museum. Naedaemun gate for one. Picture forthcoming.

The gold work of the Shilla crowns, i found much more beautiful and intricate than greek or roman crowns. picture forthcoming

Then there was a cool coffin, that was two large clay pots. One larger than the other where you can slide the larger over the smaller. It is rather unimpressive aesthetically. It looks like a large dog dropping or a beetle of some sort. However, very cool in that coffin, sarcophagus, mummy type of way.

The painting showed a great deal of character. I had this vision of rather non engaging painting, but there was great brushwork in the portraits and landscapes.

Then there was a discussion on Hangul, the Korean Alphabet. The alphabet is 600 years old and was created by a Joeson King who wanted to provide a way for his people to communicate, beause Chinese calligraphy was too hard. So, it was very democratic of him and probably wanted to loosen Chinese influence on Korea. Koreans believe that the Hangul is the most efficient way of communicating. They show how to spell Seoul, it takes 13 pushes on a cell phone in English. In Hangul...8. Korean efficiency. They believe this is a treasure.

My question is why is the language on 600 years old, does this not go against the notion of a developed culture?

They then show how they had the first moveable metal type. This still blows my mind and does transform the way I view the world. Sorry Guttenburg, you might have not been first. However, who in the world is to say old Gutten burg was not. Is not History not written by the victors and are the facts I grew up with anymore facts.

Exactly what the museum is trying to do, reorder thinking and guide their people in Koreancentric thinking. This museum is a wonderful vessel for that.

But, they also do honor those folks who gave back artifacts taht left Korea. Either during the Japanese occupation or Chinese. I think they know that Korea cannot be a hermit Kingdom and they are trying to reshape that notion. They show how Korea influenced Chinese and Japanese cutlure. They also give a nod that they were influenced by these cultures. They had to be, because Buddhism and Confucianism are large parts of the identity of Korea.

Awesome plae and I highly recommend the place. BTW, it cost 2000 won. 2 dollars. The Met is over 15 dollars aperson. Increidble Bargain, especially on a cold day.

joy,
Guido