SOLUNA FINE CRAFT

Language of Craft 工艺的语言

Venue : Museum of Wuzhong, Suzhou, China

Date : 2024.09.10 - 11.03

Artists: Jungmo Kwon, Kyounghee Kim, Joonyong Kim, Sungrim Park,

Artists: Pyojin Park, Inbeom Song, Kyouhong Lee, Jaiik Lee, Yaerin Pyun

Artists: Jaenyoung Jang, Dahye Jeong, Myungtaek Jung, Yeonsoon Chang,

Artists: Woosun Cheon

Organized by : Korean Cultural Center Shanghai

Directed by: Museum of Wuzhong, Suzhou, China

Supported by : the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Supported by : Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai

Supported by : Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange

Supported by : Korean Culture and Arts Committee

Craft is fundamentally a method and process of transforming natural materials into objects with practical and aesthetic value through human labor and intellectual application. Craft not only utilizes forms such as materials, colors, shapes, and structures to express the richness of linguistic symbols but also offers opportunities to explore and engage with the historical changes, cultural meanings, and the artist’s creation and reflection embedded within them.

Korea and China, being geographically close, also share a long history of exchange in the realm of crafts. The crafts of both countries have continuously evolved and merged to suit the times and cultural characteristics, forming unique paradigms of techniques and styles. Through the exploration of new materials and the development of modern technologies and creative philosophies, they have built a vibrant mechanism of communication.

The exhibition “The Language of Craft: Korea-China Craft Exchange Exhibition” showcases 105 pieces (sets) of craftworks by 31 artists from China and Korea. This exhibition features not only masters and young inheritors of traditional Chinese crafts but also Korean National Intangible Cultural Heritage holders, globally recognized creators, and emerging craft artists. It is organized into four sections—Heaven (天), Earth (地), Human (人), and The Language of Craft—harmoniously presenting selected works in diverse exhibition spaces. For instance, Korea’s iconic Baekja Dal Hangari (white porcelain moon jars) symbolize heaven, blending with the water's surface and embodying the harmony with nature that defines the essence of Korean aesthetics. Meanwhile, the brass works inspired by the foundation stones of Korea’s Hwangnyongsa Temple resonate deeply with the texture of the earth and engage in a distant dialogue with Ming Dynasty furniture, exploring the spatial scales and aesthetic inquiries of Korean and Chinese houses. Additionally, the diverse craftworks displayed in the open courtyard on the second floor add a dynamic artistic sensibility to a space designed for visitors' relaxation.

The Language of Craft focuses on the uniqueness, diversity, and expansiveness inherent in craftworks. It highlights the accumulated artistic aesthetics of East Asian craft culture represented by Korea and China, the developmental trends of contemporary culture, and the boundless possibilities for future growth.