
MMCA Seoul screens eight-film series on creative process
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is screening eight documentaries that offer an intimate view of artists at work in a series entitled "Moment of Creation" at the MMCA Seoul's Film Theater through May 24.
Headlining the program is "The Mystery of Picasso" (1956), in which Henri-Georges Clouzot captures the Spanish master's painting process in real-time. It is followed by "Aalto" (2020), an exploration of Finnish architect-designer couple Alvar and Aino Aalto's design philosophy.
Andrzej Wajda's final work "Afterimage" (2016) follows Polish avant-garde artist Wladyslaw Strzeminski, while Wim Wenders employs 3D technology in "Anselm" (2023) to delve into Anselm Kiefer's mythologically charged studio practice.
The series branches into performing arts with Chantal Akerman's "One Day Pina Asked ..." (1983), showcasing choreographer Pina Bausch's experimental dance-theater troupe, Tanztheater Wuppertal.
Other works include 2022 Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux's "The Super 8 Years" (2022), "Sisters with Transistors" (2020) on the women pioneers of electronic music and Amanda Kim's "Nam June Paik: The Moon Is the Oldest TV" (2023).
MMCA pairs the screenings with talk sessions with experts, including a discussion with director Amanda Kim on May 23. Shows run Wednesday and Friday through Sunday. While admission is free, online reservation is required through MMCA's website.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
Why record numbers flocked to MMCA Seoul for Ron Mueck
Korean audiences moved by exhibition's hyperrealist sculptures When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. 'It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure, such as the wrinkles on their faces. The documentary about the artist's process of creating handcrafted works was even more striking, especially in this age when digital technology makes hyperrealism easier,' she said. 'Ron Mueck' drew more than 530,000 visitors during its three-month run, marking a decade-high attendance of 5,671 people per day. The exhibition ran from April 11 to Sunday, showing Mueck's iconic hyperrealist sculptures such as 'Man in a Boat,' 'In Bed' and 'Mask II,' among others. The popularity of Mueck's works in South Korea is attributed to two elements: hyperrealism and the medium of sculpture. Rarely seen in contemporary art exhibitions here, the combination offers a fresh experience to audiences. These qualities were further amplified by social media: A popular Instagrammable installation of 'Mass,' which comprises 100 giant human skulls, went viral. Created in 2018, the title of the installation can refer either to a heap of something, a crowd of people or a religious ceremony. 'I first came across the exhibition on Instagram, and I found it compelling. I did not know much about the artist before I went to the show last month,' said Kim Sung-hyun, 27, from Seoul. 'I go to exhibitions from time to time, and sculpture exhibitions are sort of rare in Seoul, so I enjoyed it a lot, although it was extremely crowded. It made it hard to focus on the show.' Another Seoul resident surnamed Yoon saw the exhibition twice, in both April and May. 'I find contemporary art a bit difficult, but I found myself more connected to Ron Mueck's works than other conceptual art, as it is expressed realistically,' she said. The exhibition was the artist's first major show in the country. Mueck is known to have created sculptural works by sticking to the time-intensive, traditional sculptural process of clay molding and casting in silicon, according to the museum. 'Ron Mueck's works immediately evoke emotional responses and empathy from viewers, as they depict familiar forms and universal aspects of the human experience. Audiences seem to be drawn to their overwhelming scale and astonishing realism," said Hong Iji, a curator at MMCA Seoul. "Interestingly, the absence of wall text in the exhibition space is thought to have allowed for full immersion for the audiences," she added. Park Young-sin, a Korean-language instructor in her late 30s, said she was curious how hyperrealism could be interpreted in visual art, in comparison to hyperrealism and realism in literature. 'I also really appreciated one particular piece that seemed to depict a couple on a date. I felt the emotional tension and pressure the woman was experiencing. The narrative I found in the sculpture was subtle, yet powerful,' she said.


Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
Ron Mueck's hyperrealistic works draw record numbers to MMCA
Exhibition appeals to Korean audiences with heart-touching hyperrealist sculptures When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. 'It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure such as the wrinkles on their face. The documentary about the artist's process to create handcrafted works at the museum was even more striking ― especially in this age when digital technologies make hyperrealism easier,' she said. 'Ron Mueck' drew more than 530,000 visitors during its three-month run, marking a decade-high number of daily visitors at 5,671 people per day. The exhibition ran from April 11 to Sunday, showing Mueck's conic hyperrealist sculptures such as 'Man in a Boat,' 'In Bed' and 'Mask II,' among others. The popularity of Mueck's works in South Korea is partly attributed to the combination of two elements: hyperrealist quality and the medium of sculpture, which have rarely been seen in exhibitions here, offering a fresh experience to audiences. Such qualities of the exhibition were further amplified by social media. A popular 'Instagrammable' installation of 'Mass,' which comprises 100 giant human skulls, went viral. Created in 2018, the title of the installation can refer either to a heap of something, a crowd of people or a religious ceremony. 'I first came across the exhibition on Instagram and I found it compelling. I did not know much about the artist before I went to the show last month,' said Kim Sung-hyun, 27, from Seoul. 'I go to exhibitions from time to time, and sculpture exhibitions are sort of rare in Seoul, so I enjoyed it a lot ― although it was extremely crowded. It made it hard to focus on the show.' Another Seoul resident surnamed Yoon saw the exhibition twice, in both April and May. 'I find contemporary art a bit difficult, but I found myself more connected to Ron Muech's works than other conceptual art, as it is expressed realistically,' she said. The exhibition was the artist's first major show in the country. Mueck is known to have created sculptural works by sticking to the time-intensive, traditional sculptural process of clay molding and casting in silicon, according to the museum. 'Ron Mueck's works immediately evoke emotional responses and empathy from viewers, as they depict familiar forms and universal aspects of the human experience. Interestingly, the absence of wall text in the exhibition space allowed for full immersion,' said Hong Iji, a curator at MMCA Seoul. Park Young-sin, a Korean-language instructor in her late 30s, said she was curious how hyperrealism could be interpreted in visual art, in comparison to hyperrealism and realism in literature. 'I also really appreciated one particular piece that seemed to depict a couple on a date. I felt the emotional tension and pressure the woman was experiencing. The narrative I found in the sculpture was subtle, yet powerful,' she said.


Korea Herald
30-06-2025
- Korea Herald
East Meets West: Shanghai Bridal 2025 to Showcase Unprecedented Fusion of Chinese Heritage & Global Design
SHANGHAI, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Organized by Shanghai International Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., the Shanghai Bridal Fashion Showroom 2025 will be held from July 16 th to 18 th at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Featuring 200+ exhibiting brands from 14 countries and regions and showcasing 2,000+ original new products, the exhibition promises an unparalleled celebration of bridal innovation. The 2025 edition highlights the rise of Chinese bridal designers, with leading brands including WANGFENG BRIDAL, LAFINE, VIO WANG, DE GARBO, RIMA VIRA, 5'VOZ, HearGarden, Pallimo, Xiu Qipao, TianXi, and KATE LANNAR. These designers will showcase their unique fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary aesthetics. A Global Convergence of Bridal Excellence This edition presents an unparalleled gathering of international bridal talent, forming one of China's most comprehensive showcases of overseas design. The spotlight shines on Ukrainian brand Lietta's highly anticipated China debut, alongside the Spanish Pronovias Group's complete luxury portfolio—including Pronovias, Pronovias Privée, Vera Wang for Pronovias, Atelier Pronovias, Nicole Milano, WHITE ONE, and Ladybird. The global roster extends across continents with design luminaries: WONA (Ukraine's ethereal romance), Tralinh (Vietnam's cultural fusion), Natalia Romanova (Russia's regal grandeur), Eva Lendel (America's red-carpet glamour), Casablanca Bridal (classic American elegance), Yolancris (Spain's architectural designs), Ricca Sposa (Italy's artisanal craftsmanship), Dì'ào (Malaysia's tropical luxury), Korea's fashion-forward Vanilla Milla, Malanshi and Blossomveil, alongside Germany's Amelie and Turkey's Didem Kinail. Together, these visionary creators compose a cross-border symphony of design, showcasing the full spectrum of contemporary bridal innovation—from timeless elegance to avant-garde expression—while setting new benchmarks for global fashion dialogue in China's dynamic market. Insight into Consumer Trends: Quality-Centric, Rationality Prevails, Value-for-Money is Key In the current market, bridal consumers are increasingly rational and pragmatic, with "value-for-money" becoming the core decision factor. The exhibition addresses this demand with its diverse brand matrix and product tiers: Local designer brands including DaoXu, MUZI, PERFECT, WEST SUNNY, BangYi, YUNI DESIGN ,ENJOY, TRAVIS YOUNG, and ShaLa Chinese Wear leverage deep understanding of domestic needs, flexible supply chains, and cultural resonance. They offer competitive pricing while ensuring excellent design and craftsmanship. Makeup & Fashion Accessories: Enhance Your Bridal Style Beyond wedding dresses, the exhibition features dedicated zones for makeup artistry and fashion accessories. Renowned makeup artists and accessory designers showcase their expertise and creative collections on-site, offering brides a one-stop experience—from beauty looks to accessory styling. Bridal Fashion Show 2025: A Fashion Gala Mark your calendars: The Bridal Fashion Show 2025 arrives July 15-17 at Hall E5 of the New International Expo Center. We've partnered with industry leaders to create a 360° immersive wonderland—featuring cutting-edge stage design and interactive light technology. Discover global trends before anyone else as premier designers converge: From timeless elegance to avant-garde silhouettes, intricate embellishments to ethereal minimalism—witness the season's most anticipated designs unveiled live. Special appearance: A celebrated guest star will grace the event! Join us for this exclusive celebration of bridal artistry. 2025 ASIA PACIFIC CHINESE OUTSTANDING MAKEUP AND STYLING ARTIST COMPETITON: Defining the Pinnacle of Asian Aesthetics Hosted by the Shanghai Bridal Fashion Showroom 2025, the Asia Pacific Chinese Wedding Photography Exchange Association, and the Asia Pacific Chinese Makeup & Styling Organizing Committee, the 2025 ASIA PACIFIC CHINESE OUTSTANDING MAKEUP AND STYLING ARTIST COMPETITON takes place on July 17 th -18 th in Hall E5 . Esteemed judges including Qingqing, Yifeng, Xiaobei, Duan Hao, Li Yun, Duan Bin, Zhou Ding, YAKUP, Abu, SUMI, and Lanlan will provide expert critiques. Competitors include independent artists pushing boundaries, uniquely styled influencer MUAs, and rising stars from top makeup academies. This premier event gathers top resources, forges IP potential, empowers beauty entrepreneurs to break through boundaries. Event Information: SHANGHAI BRIDAL FASHION SHOWROOM 2025 Date: July 16-18, 2025 Bridal Fashion Show 2025 Date: July 15-17, 2025 Venue: Hall E5, Shanghai New International Expo Centre