For Koreans who have been fortunate enough to travel around Europe, they might remember the impressive works of architecture there, but few know much about the cultural and historical background of these structures. Professor Kim Ran-soo’s presentations on the theme “Major Structures of the Baroque and Rococo Eras”– as part of the ongoing KFCC Regular Lecture Series entitled “Baroque & Rococo”– provides more than enough information for the audience to acquire a considerable understanding on Europe’s architectural culture from this era.

Could you describe various characteristics and examples of classical Western architecture?

What we really need to pay attention to is the fact that premodern Western architecture was fundamentally centered on Christian-related themes. It originated with early Christian architecture and the Byzantine style, then went through a Romanesque period that incorporated elements of 8th–century Saracen architecture before becoming the Gothic style, which is when stonemasonry really came into its own. The great masterpiece of Gothic architecture is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, with its pointed arches and spires. After that came the High Renaissance and buildings like the Duomo in Florence. You can’t talk about the High Renaissance without mentioning pioneers of that period, like Brunelleschi (1377–1446) and Michelangelo (1475–1564).

How would you summarize the characteristics of Baroque architecture?

Whereas previous architecture emphasized religious aspects, Baroque architecture focused on human emotions. This included works with exaggerated, ornate interiors and exteriors, along with gold-painted ornamentation and elaborate sculptures. It was an of a belief in the power of free thinking, and a notion that people could from escape the shackles of God and religion. Rococo inherited this tradition; it developed as a form of interior decoration that was dominant in France during the 18th century.

Can you find any examples of a ‘Baroque spirit’ in Korea?

Many people would be surprised to hear that architectural administration and oversight in Korea is a task of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It’s a big problem when architecture management is so purely administrative, without reflecting the influences of our culture and the capabilities of local architects. It is the summation of the humanities. You need to look at the overall landscape, not just its individual structures. Consider the “I Like Strawberries” building in Paju, which is very popular as an unusual form of cultural . The structure isn’t just nature-friendly; it actually integrates the panorama and surrounding environment into its design. This is related to the traditional spirit of Korean architecture, which is about creating a harmony with nature. Visitors are spellbound, not just by the building itself but by the entire vista. It’s one landscape scene of nature and structure, with a building where children can play, an art gallery, a museum, a café, and a restaurant, together with the nearby river and fields. Architecture isn’t just about engineering.

Does Baroque architecture have any lessons for our modern society?

Modern Korean architecture developed over a very brief period of time, and this resulted in various side effects. I can understand the inevitability of this process, but we need to make more of an effort to blend tradition with modernity and incorporate past history into our architecture. We need to take into account the bigger picture so that architecture can be better integrated into the design of our urban environment. To me, the Baroque spirit is about creating a harmonious city within a vast landscape of structures and nature.