The theme of this year’s symposium is “Tradition and Transition.”
Texas Tech University will host the seventh annual International Arts & Culture Symposium from 1-5 p.m. Saturday (March 30) at the Helen DeVitt Jones Auditorium at the Museum of Texas Tech University, in conjunction with Sowoon Arts and Heritage and the Office of International Affairs. This year's theme is "Tradition and Transition," and the symposium is free and open to the public.
The symposium will feature multiple performers and artists and two museum exhibits, in addition to several events in the days leading up to the symposium, including a screening at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (March 27) at Alamo Drafthouse of the 2007 South Korean film "Secret Sunshine." The screening is part of the International Film Series, which presents films related to art and music customs across cultures.
"The goal of this symposium is to provide opportunities for Lubbock and its surrounding communities to gain a greater understanding of diverse cultural heritage and make global cultural heritage a reality for everyone," said Hyojung Cho, an associate professor of heritage management in the Heritage and Museum Sciences Program at the museum. "It is not merely to show diverse cultures, but make them relevant to our audiences."
Symposium
The symposium will feature Tae Keun Yoo, a professor at Kyungil University's School of Design in South Korea and one of the country's most prominent ceramists, who will lecture about Korean ceramics and its traditional and modern evolvement. Yoo will perform a practical demonstration involving the audience that illustrates how to create Korean ceramics, as well as a contemporary performance featuring Korean painting.
Jeffrey Lastrapes, an associate professor of cello and chair of strings in the Texas Tech School of Music, will discuss cello music, followed by a classical music performance on the instrument.
Tea Masters Eun A. Kim and Eun Yu Seok will demonstrate the important etiquette related to serving tea. The demonstration will include audience participation in a Korean tea ceremony using tea ware created by Yoo.
A reception and closing remarks will follow the performances.
Exhibits at the Museum of Texas Tech
- The Lunar Embrace exhibit, Gallery 3
Open until June 16, this exhibit features Korean Moon Jars and traditional paintings by Yoo. According to the museum's website, Yoo's work explores the "bold and startlingly modern ceramic traditions" from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). An artist reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday (March 28) at the museum and is free and open to the public.
- The Ottchil Exhibit, Helen DeVitt Jones Sculpture Court
This exhibit, open during the symposium, features 39 pieces of traditional Korean lacquer art by Korean contemporary Ottchil artist Jeong Eun Lee, who teaches at Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul, South Korea.
Workshops with artists
- K-12 Teacher and Artist Korean Ceramic Workshop, 9:30 a.m., Wednesday (March 27),
Helen DeVitt Jones Clay Studio, Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, 519
Ave. J
During this workshop, which is open to local artists and all teachers in any Texas school district, Yoo will demonstrate the significance of Korean ceramics and attendees will have the chance use a potter's wheel.
- K-12 Student Korean Tea Etiquette Workshop, 9:30-11 a.m., Thursday (March 28), Hall
of Nations, International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Ave.
During this workshop, Tea Masters Kim and Seok will demonstrate tea etiquette and its significance to local K-12 students. They will use tea ware created by Yoo.
Media are invited to cover all events. With the exception of the K-12 workshop, all events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the symposium event page.
The symposium is sponsored by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Center for Global Understanding-Lubbock International Cultural Center, Inc.; and Texas Tech's Thomas Jay Harris Institute for Hispanic and International Communication in the College of Media & Communication.
