Korean Art Odyssey

By Maher Asaad Baker

Embark on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Korean arts with "Korean Art Odyssey." This book delves into the fascinating world of Korean artistic expression, tracing its origins from prehistoric times to the vibrant contemporary scene.
Uncover the evolution of Korean arts, Immerse yourself in the distinctive regional styles that emerged during the Three Kingdoms period, and witness the zenith of Buddhist and secular art during the Unified Silla era.
Explore the traditional forms of Korean art, such as calligraphy, painting, pottery, and sculpture, each with its unique styles and techniques. Discover the captivating works of renowned artists like Kim Hong-do, Lee Jung-seob, Nam June Paik, and Lee Bul, who have left an indelible mark on art.
Unveil the cultural influences that have shaped Korean arts, from the profound impact of Confucianism and Buddhism to the vibrant expressions of shamanism and folk culture. Delve into the future of Korean arts, where contemporary artists push boundaries and embrace new mediums to express their views on identity, society, and the digital age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: tredition
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9783384050687

Maher Asaad Baker

Maher Asaad Baker (In Arabic: ماهر أسعد بكر) is a Syrian Musician, Author, Journalist, VFX & Graphic artist, and Director, he was born in Damascus in 1977. Since his teens, he has been building up his career, starting by developing applications and websites while exploring various types of media-creating paths. He started his career in 1997 with a dream of being one of the most well-known artists in the world. Reading was always a part of his life as he was always surrounded by his father's books, but his writing ability didn't develop until a later age as his most time was occupied with other things such as developing, writing songs and music, or in media projects production, he is most known for his book "How I wrote a million Wikipedia articles" and a novel entitled "Becoming the man".

Book preview

Introduction

Throughout history, the arts have played a crucial role in shaping and expressing the cultures of civilizations. In the case of Korea, various art forms such as dance, music, painting, ceramics, and architecture have provided invaluable insights into the country's rich cultural heritage and the evolution of the Korean people's sense of national identity. From ancient times to the present day, the refinement and transmission of Korean artistic traditions have not only helped maintain continuity with the past but also allowed for the emergence of new expressions that connect successive generations.

The earliest records of Korean dance and music can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period in the first century BC. Historical texts from Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla mention court dances that were performed elegantly to celebrate royal ceremonies and pay homage to spirits and gods. Each kingdom also developed its own distinct regional musical styles. Goguryeo music, for example, had a majestic and heroic quality, with an emphasis on woodwind and brass instruments. Baekje music, on the other hand, tended to be lyrical and melodic, featuring stringed instruments. Silla music placed importance on rhythmic percussion and choral singing.

These early forms of Korean dance, music, and instrument traditions not only reflected the shaping of distinct national identities for the three kingdoms but also indicated the influences exchanged with neighboring Chinese and Japanese cultures through diplomatic contacts and population migrations. As Silla went on to unify the peninsula in the 7th century AD, it incorporated elements of Goguryeo and Baekje court dances and music into a new pan-Korean culture. This process of consolidation set a precedent for Korean artistic genres to absorb external influences constructively while retaining their indigenous characteristics.

The establishment of Buddhism as the state religion in Silla propelled a golden age of Korean Buddhist painting and architecture from the 8th to the 10th century. Notable examples of this period include the Mireuksaji Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa temple, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites renowned for their intricate stone carvings and reliefs depicting Buddhist deities, scriptures, and concepts of nirvana. The sophisticated architectural designs and sculptural programs of Seokguram and Bulguksa assimilated influences from China's Tang dynasty into uniquely Korean forms.

This pivotal period saw Buddhist notions of enlightenment and compassion permeate all levels of Korean society. The widespread patronage and production of Buddhist art to embellish temples and shrines served as a means to transmit Buddhist tenets to the public through visually engaging means. It also solidified the religion's deeply embedded role in Korean identity, a role that is still strongly felt today. Artistic traditions in pottery, lacquerware, metalwork, and textiles that complemented architecture and painting also matured under Buddhist inspiration.

As the Goryeo dynasty replaced Silla and defended the nation from foreign invasions, Buddhist visual culture continued to thrive and evolve. The established artistic paradigm also influenced Korean secular painting. Emerging genres depicted scenery, figures, and historical events through techniques absorbed from Song Dynasty China but featuring native Korean personalities, flora, and landscapes. Goryeo celadon ceramics gained worldwide renown for their pale green hue and ability to be fired at extraordinarily high temperatures, cementing Korea's prestige in ceramic arts. Overall, Buddhism fostered eclectic yet indigenized art forms that cultivated Korea's unique aesthetic identity and cultural pride from the Unified Silla period through the Goryeo era.

The founding of the Joseon dynasty in 1392 brought about Korea's second unification under a new Confucian political order that aimed to stabilize society through a meritocratic bureaucracy and values of self-cultivation. Visual art production shifted away from the Buddhist paradigm over the 15th century, focusing more on secular themes aligned with Joseon rulers' efforts to establish a distinctly Korean identity based on Confucian philosophy and relations with Ming dynasty China.

Painting genres during this period included refined landscapes, figures, animals, and plants rendered through meticulous brushwork and the use of ink monochrome or subdued colors. Poetry, calligraphy, and historical works also flourished within the Confucian scholarly tradition. The immense Sejong Cultural Complex, erected in the 15th century, housed neo-Confucian colleges and the Royal Library, which aimed to cultivate erudition. Scholars delved into Korean linguistic studies and pioneered the invention of hangul, a writing system for the common people that strengthened Korean identity by facilitating mass literacy.

One of Korea's greatest cultural contributors, Joseon ruler Sejong, is renowned for his achievements. The Joseon period witnessed the flowering of Confucian scholarship to a level unrivaled in East Asia, led by illustrious figures such as Yi Hwang and Yi I. The diaspora of cultured Joseon Confucian scholars further enhanced Korea's