KF뉴스레터-Splendors of Korean Culture Radiated in Washington, D.C.

Splendors of Korean Culture Radiated in Washington, D.C.

Facing each other across a lawn are the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, the two most recognizable structures in Washington, D.C., the capital of the U.S. This assemblage of buildings, which reminds me of the architecture of the Roman Empire, is where the National Museums of the Smithsonian Institution are found. A gray marble building in the center of the complex along Constitution Avenue, where government buildings are situated, is the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. Familiar to the Korean people for its hallmark mammoth skeletons, the National Museum of Natural History is one of the most beloved museums of the American public. With its visitor count reaching some 5.9 million in 2006, it is known as the most visited natural history museum. That such a popular institution as the National Museum of Natural History would open a new Korea Gallery, this was indeed a source of pride and delight for the friends of Korea in the U.S. as well as Koreans residing there.

▲ The Opening Ceremony of the Korea Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History held on June 7. From left to right:
National Museum of Natural History Director Paul Risser, Korea Foundation President Yim Sung-joon, Korea Gallery Curator Paul Taylor, and National Folk Museum of Korea Director Shin Gwang-seop.

Vividly showing the culture, art, and present day of Korea ‘The opening ceremony of the Korea Gallery, which was held on June 7, included the attendance of Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Lee Tae Sik, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ho-young, and Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Park Yang-woo, as representatives of the Korean government, along with Smithsonian Institution Secretary Dr. Christian Samper and National Museum of Natural History Acting Director Dr. Paul Risser. At the ceremony, Korea Foundation President Yim Sung-joon expressed his expectations, in saying: “The Korea Gallery, which compactly features the Korean civilization, will contribute to enhancing understanding about Korea across the U.S. as well as in the Washington, D.C. area, by vividly showing the culture, art, and present day of Korea.” He also congratulated the Smithsonian Institution administrative authorities for their dedicated efforts and the National Folk Museum of Korea, which provided advice on the gallery project and exhibition. The opening ceremony was a major event that included the attendance of some 600 people, including Koreans who came from as far away as California and Michigan. This large turnout pleased the many people who were involved with the preparations for the opening of the Korea Gallery, including myself. The Korea Gallery’s opening marked a culmination of the Korean Heritage Project, which was launched by the National Museum of Natural History in 1985, as part of its Asian Cultural History Program. Early on, this effort experienced a number of difficulties. Dr. Paul Taylor, who had continuously undertaken activities to promote Korean culture, with the assistance of the Korean government, the Korean Embassy, and the local Korean community, requested support from the Korea government and Ms. Chang-su Cho Houchins (staff curator for Korean art) for the establishment of a Korean gallery on several occasions, in conjunction with the Korean Heritage Project. His efforts, however, proved futile due to an inability of the two sides to reach agreement on various project terms. In 1999, the Korea Foundation turned down a request for financial assistance because the museum could only offer a temporary exhibition area, for a five-year period. Nevertheless, another proposal was submitted in 2002, which the two sides discussed in earnest, following the visit of Korea’s First Lady Kwon Yang-suk to the museum in 2003. In December 2003, the Foundation formally approved its support for the museum’s development of a Korean gallery. In September 2004, the National Museum of Natural History entered into an agreement, for the provision of consultation services, with the National Folk Museum of Korea, headed by Hongnam Kim (currently the director of the National Museum of Korea). Then, after three years of preparations and efforts by the specialists of both countries, the Korea Gallery was finally opened. Washington Korea Festival An exhibition planning committee, comprised of the co-curators of the Korean Gallery, Dr. Paul Taylor and Ms. Chang-su Cho Houchins; a curator dispatched by the National Folk Museum of Korea; and related specialists, met weekly on every Wednesday, to discuss such matters as the gallery’s construction progress, exhibition themes, artifacts to be displayed, and other project details. The committee members conducted research and received advice from various experts on the Korea Gallery and its exhibition. In addition, a survey was undertaken of the U.S. general public in an effort to assess their interests in Korea. Meanwhile, the Korea Foundation, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C. co-organized a ‘Washington Korea Festival’ to commemorate the opening of the Korea Gallery, which included activities from May 5 through June 28. In particular, this festival provided American audiences with a rare opportunity to experience a broad spectrum of Korean culture and art, including Korea’s traditional music, cinema, traditional attire, and literature, all in the heart of Washington, D.C., the U.S. capital. As for the Korea Gallery it is now necessary to contemplate its future Today, museums function as a tourism attraction of the local communities, a cultural center to present cultural/artistic performances and lecture sessions for local residents, and a place of education for the students of area schools. In this regard, the Korea Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution will serve as a cultural center to introduce Korean culture and art to the residents of Washington, D.C., and to offer educational programs for local students, in addition to being a tourism destination for visitors to the U.S. capital.
Regarding future tasks, the Korea Gallery will have to be continuously monitored and its exhibitions supplemented in order to maintain its currentness and appeal to museum-goers. In this regard, I believe it would be helpful for the National Folklore Museum of Korea to continue to provide advisory support. As a cultural center, the Korea Gallery will help to organize the Washington Korea Festival, on an annual basis, to introduce Korean culture and art to tourists as well as local residents, for which the continued contributions of the Korea Foundation and the Korean community are essential. At the same time, educational programs need to be developed to encourage local schools to utilize the Korea Gallery for the education of their students. Above all, the smooth implementation of these kinds of activities will require the availability of financial resources and dedicated professionals. Of note, Dr. Paul Taylor, co-curator of the Korea Gallery, plans to participate in this year’s Workshop for Korean Art Curators, which the Korea Foundation will be conducting in October. His personal affection and intellectual interest in Korean art will serve as a vital cornerstone for the effective operation of the Korea Gallery.

The Korea Gallery at the National Museum of Natural History is the end result of so many people’s efforts and cooperation. While those in a leading role are known, there are also many people that played a supporting role, whose quiet dedication can be easily overlooked. Although the limitations of space, and knowledge on my part, do not allow me to recognize these individuals, I would like to thank them all for their invaluable contributions. And I sincerely hope for a speedy recovery for Korea Gallery co-curator Chang-su Cho Houchins, who was unable to attend the opening ceremony due to ill health.

Korea Gallery at Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History

Exhibition sub-themes:
- Landscapes of Korea
- Korean Ceramics: A Tradition of Excellence Honoring Family
- The Korean Wedding
- Hangeul: Symbol of Pride
- Korea beyond Borders

Featured exhibits:
- About 200 artifacts and artworks including some 80 items from the museum's collection and other sources.

- The Korea Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution will serve as a cultural center to introduce Korean culture and art to the residents of Washington, D.C., and to offer educational programs for local students, in addition to being a tourism destination for visitors to the U.S. capital.

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Splendors of Korean Culture Radiated in Washington, D.C.

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Splendors of Korean Culture Radiated in Washington, D.C.

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