SEOUL, South Korea – The Leeum Museum of Art opened its doors to 170 members of multicultural families on a recent Monday, typically a regular closing day for the institution, ensuring a relaxed and uncrowded environment for the special guests. This unique event, designed to enhance family diversity and inter-community exchange, saw collaborative efforts from various local organizations, including the Yongsan-gu Family Center, Itaewon Global Village Center, Yongmun-dong Community Center, Ichon Global Village Center, and Mari Migrant Women's Shelter.
Prior to their self-guided exploration, attendees received an introductory session to familiarize themselves with the museum's history and the specific exhibitions on display. Guests then freely toured the "Ancient Art 상설전" (Permanent Exhibition of Ancient Art), the "Modern Art 소장품전" (Collection Exhibition of Modern Art), and the highly anticipated solo exhibition of French artist Pierre Huyghe, titled "Liminal." Huyghe's "Liminal" exhibition, which ran from February 28 to July 7, 2024, at Leeum, presented a fascinating exploration of the boundaries between artificial and natural intelligence, and the interaction between living organisms and complex systems. The exhibition showcased a collection of his thought-provoking works, often incorporating elements like living organisms, technological interventions, and evolving environments, challenging conventional notions of art and reality.
The cultural immersion continued with a captivating performance of traditional Korean arts. Held in the Leeum Museum auditorium, renowned Korean traditional musician Shin Hyeong-sik and the traditional performing arts group "Itffuf" presented a segment from "Heungboga," a classic Pansori (Korean opera) story, featuring a dynamic blend of Pansori vocals and Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet). This performance offered a vibrant taste of Korean heritage, resonating deeply with the diverse audience.
Bridging Language Barriers with AI Technology
Recognizing the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the participants, the event incorporated an innovative generative AI-based real-time multilingual text translation solution. This cutting-edge technology provided instant translation services in eight languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Uzbek, and Bengali, ensuring that language barriers did not hinder understanding or enjoyment of the exhibitions and performance. This commitment to accessibility underscores Leeum's dedication to inclusive cultural experiences.
Attendees expressed overwhelming positive feedback, with one participant remarking, "Being able to see everything from traditional Korean art to works by famous artists I'd only heard of, and even incredible new works like the 'Pierre Huyghe' exhibition, all in one place, felt like traveling to museums around the world."
Han Seon-gyu, Director of the Yongsan-gu Family Center, emphasized the growing importance of social inclusion for the stable settlement of multicultural families in Korean society. He stated, "The Leeum Museum's invitation was a wonderful opportunity for our members to foster a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. We are deeply grateful for such an event."
Ryu Mun-hyung, CEO of Samsung Foundation of Culture, reiterated Leeum Museum of Art's ongoing commitment to fostering communication and empathy through art among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. "We extend our sincere gratitude to all the organizations that partnered with us for this event," Ryu stated. "We will continue to strive to be an open museum that anyone can easily visit."
The Leeum Museum of Art has been actively engaged in community outreach since 2022, hosting three regular invitation events annually to allow various community members to enjoy arts and culture. Including this latest event, the museum has now welcomed approximately 1,600 invited guests, solidifying its role as a vital cultural hub committed to broader community engagement.
Would you like to know more about the Leeum Museum of Art's other community programs or the specific exhibitions mentioned? Leeum Museum Hosts 170 Multicultural Families for Enriching Cultural Experience
SEOUL – The Leeum Museum of Art recently opened its doors to 170 members of multicultural families, offering a unique opportunity to engage with Korean art and culture. This special event, held on a Monday when the museum is typically closed, aimed to foster greater understanding and exchange among diverse community members in Seoul's Yongsan District.
The initiative was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Yongsan-gu Family Center and supported by several local organizations, including the Itaewon Global Village Center, Yongmun-dong Community Center, Ichon Global Village Center, and Mari Migrant Women's Shelter. These partnerships underscored a commitment to integrating multicultural families into the broader social fabric and promoting a sense of belonging.
Attendees were given a comprehensive introduction to the museum and its current exhibitions before embarking on self-guided tours. The curated experience included visits to the Ancient Art Permanent Exhibition, showcasing a remarkable collection of traditional Korean artifacts, and the Contemporary Art Collection Exhibition, which features both Korean and international modern art. A highlight for many was "Liminal," a solo exhibition by renowned French artist Pierre Huyghe. This exhibition, the artist's first in Asia, delves into the interplay between human, non-human, and artificial entities, creating an ever-evolving, dynamic environment that blurs the lines between reality and imagination. "Liminal" features 12 installations, including new works and pieces from the past decade, challenging visitors to perceive reality from an unfamiliar, non-human perspective.
Adding a vibrant dimension to the art viewing, a traditional Korean cultural performance captivated the audience in the Leeum Museum's auditorium. Gugak musician Shin Hyung-sik and the traditional performing arts group "It's For" presented a scene from the classic Korean narrative "Heungboga," blending the storytelling of pansori with the energetic rhythms of samulnori. This performance offered a direct and engaging encounter with Korea's rich intangible heritage.
Recognizing the diverse linguistic backgrounds of the participants, the event incorporated an innovative solution: a generative AI-based real-time multilingual text translation service. This technology provided simultaneous translation in eight languages – English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Uzbek, and Bengali – ensuring that language barriers did not hinder anyone's enjoyment or comprehension of the exhibitions and performances. This commitment to accessibility highlighted the museum's dedication to inclusivity.
Participants expressed immense satisfaction with the experience. "Being able to see everything from traditional Korean art to works by famous artists I'd only heard of, and even fascinating new works like the 'Pierre Huyghe' exhibition, all in one place, felt like traveling through museums around the world," one attendee remarked, encapsulating the breadth of the cultural journey offered.
Han Seon-gyu, Director of the Yongsan-gu Family Center, emphasized the societal importance of such initiatives. "As the proportion of multicultural families grows, social inclusivity is crucial for their stable settlement in our society," he stated. "The Leeum Museum's invitation event was an excellent opportunity for family members to enhance their sense of belonging and mutual understanding, and we are grateful for this opportunity."
Ryu Moon-hyung, CEO of the Samsung Cultural Foundation, which operates the Leeum Museum, reiterated the museum's ongoing commitment. "The Leeum Museum of Art continuously strives to enable people from diverse cultural backgrounds to communicate and empathize through art," he said. "We deeply appreciate the various organizations that joined us for this event, and we will continue to do our best to become an open museum that anyone can easily visit."
The Leeum Museum of Art has been actively engaging with its community since 2022, hosting three regular invitation events annually to allow various societal members to enjoy arts and culture. Including this recent gathering, the cumulative number of invited participants has reached approximately 1,600, demonstrating a sustained effort to broaden access to cultural enrichment.
[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]
