New tourist attraction goes with a glass theme
Story and photos by Jim Saunders

Upon entering one of Jeju’s newest tourist attractions, the Glass Castle, the striking similarities with Loveland will soon become readily apparent. It’s as if the business model that sustains Loveland has been picked up and plonked down again somewhere else on the island. Only this time the sexually explicit sculptures have been exchanged for tasteful works of art made from glass.

The Glass Castle contains six themed areas with some 350 works on display, and a walking course around the attraction that follows a predetermined route. A mirror maze, tunnel of jewels and eternal ring are highlights, as is the glass heart – if only to see the endless rows of couples lining up to have their photograph taken alongside. Indoor exhibition halls explore the origins of the material and have exquisite Venetian items from Italy for viewing.

The upper floors of the large multi-colored, main building, are seen on the way out, providing a chance to buy some glass fashioned items. There are hands-on experience studios in which artists cover a wide range of glass making techniques. Visitors can craft their creations into items such as necklaces and earrings with prices starting at around 5,000 won (increasing to 40,000 won or more).

Despite the large number of visitors many chose not to join in the studio experience, which is a shame given how unique it is to the island. Many press their noses against a window to observe the work in progress, but none put down money to try it themselves. However, after considering a hefty 9,000 won tourist admission fee (6,500 won with alien card discount) and a further 10,000 won to make anything of worth it an expensive stop on a day’s itinerary. Factor in a whole family and prices spiral even higher.

The obligatory presence of Jeju’s Dolharubang in glass form then, leads to the conclusion that the attraction is almost exclusively for visiting Korean tourists from the mainland. This is further reinforced by a lack of English translation and busy car park full of rental cars and tour buses bearing the name of a mainland province.

The Glass Castle may not be as much fun as Loveland (and it is smaller). But it is worth at least one visit, day or night. Especially with the Spirited Garden, Peace Museum, and Ghengis Khan show all within a short drive to lengthen out a stay in the often under visited western interior of Jeju island.

How to get there

The Glass Castle is located on the western side of the island. It is highly recommended that you have your own transport. A taxi from the bus terminal will cost at least 23,000 won (one way). Alternatively, take the coastal road bus (2,000~3000 won) heading to Hallim. From Hallim it is best to take a taxi to complete the trip. A local bus service is available but it is erratic and runs an irregualr intervals. On an English language tourist map the Glass Castle is on the blue road midway between the Male Stone Turtle Museum and Sulloccha Museum.

http://www.jejuglasscastle.com

Main building in which the glass making techniques are housed | Credit: Jim Saunders

Getting to the Glass Castle | Credit: Jeju Glass Castle

A new exhibition celebrating Kim’s work begins on Jeju
Story and photo by Jose Diaz

Kim Man Su is considered a Korean artist and a bohemian.

During one of my multiple trips to Seoul, I had the opportunity to meet the artist and establish a good friendship with him. Kim is usually found travelling between Seoul and Jeju.

The artist’s work has been influenced by many different factors. His own life and spiritual beliefs, as well as by historical events that have marked the people of Korea—war, oppression, pain, literature, poetry, and art.

Kim often uses white porcelain and the phoenix-like bird to transmit a message. On his canvases the artist shares some of his inner peace when he contemplates his art.

Porcelain and pheonix | Credit: Jose Diaz

His first artistic steps came during the Cubism era of the 1970s. Having experienced hardship and disappointment he would emerge inquisitively and thirsty for the history of the Chosun Dynasty. Kim nourished his spirit and simultaneously found the motivation that shaped his personal artistic style- hues of red, white, blue, and black.

The artist’s canvases hang in different galleries at both a national and an international level. In Munich, Zurich, Paris, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and New York.

Kim always keeps a special and great admiration for the European artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne and Marc Chagall. When I asked him, why he had not emigrated to Europe like other well know Korean artists, he responded by saying that he had never such desires. Because he always felt good in Korea surrounded by the landscape, his own history, his family and friends.

One of the last desires of Kim, is to find a little time to conclude the construction of a museum on Jeju.

* Gallery International Mountmartre is starting an exhibition of ten Kim Man Su oil paintings from December 3rd.

Brian Miller lives and works on Jeju Island, South Korea. These are his images from his life here.

Through them he hopes to share a foreign perspective of life on Jeju.

The gallery includes three distinct and different sections: portrait, sport and micro, totalling nearly fifty two images. Some of which, were over a year in the making.

Jeju’s Haenyeo are a standout theme throughout the gallery that provides an “intimate look at a part of Jeju’s unique culture which is slowing fading into history,” according to Miller.

And of your visit, Miller says: “I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed shooting them.”

Thank you.

브라이언 밀러는 제주에서 일하며 살고 있습니다.

여기 전시되어 있는 이 사진들은 그가 이곳 제주에서 살며서 만든 작품들입니다.

그는 이 사진들을 통해서 외국인의 제주에 대한 시각을 같이 나눌 수 있길 희망합니다.

이곳 갤러리는 3개의 독특하고 다른 섹션 – 인물사진전 , 스포츠전, 그리고 미세생물사진전 – 으로 되어 있습니다.

모두 52여개의 작품들이 전시되어 있으며, 몇몇 1년여전에 찍은 작품들도 이제 드디어 전시할 수 있는 기회를 갖게 되었습니다.

이 중에서 “제주의 해녀” 를 주제로 한 작품들은 이제 역사속으로 희미해져 가는 제주의 독특한 문화의 한 부분을 친밀한 시선으로 볼 수 있도록 도와주는 눈에 띄는 작품들이라고 할 수 있습니다.

오늘 그의 사진전을 찾아주신 여려분들께 그는 이렇게 전합니다.“제가 이 사진들을 찍었을 때 느꼈던 즐거움 만큼 여러분들도 제 작품들을 즐겁게 감상하시길 바랍니다.”

대단히 감사합니다.

Largest outdoor sculpture park in Asia?

Despite the understated name, it claims to be the largest outdoor sculpture park in all of Asia; you can easily spend several hours exploring around here. Surprisingly, there is nary a stone grandfather in sight and little of the traditional stone work you are probably used to seeing around the island. Indeed, if it weren’t for the rich subtropical forest that the park is set in, you might forget you are on Jeju at all. What you will find when you cross the threshold of this surreal and beautiful place are strange and exotic forms that seem to spring up from the Earth and dance with the sky-marble that flows like water, disembodied embraces, and many other improbable contours that test the limits of possibility. Whether balancing the primly mowed grass at the center of the park with ecstatic and expressive forms or punctuating the lushness of the forest paths that wind around the park with hidden wonders, the park certainly is a “Meeting of Nature and Art,” as it proclaims.

Of particular interest to me were some of the depictions of human form on display. From surreal and strange to graceful and lifelike, they reveal a wonderful depth of skill and creativity from Korean sculptors. There is a small glen of apparent cast-offs from Love Land; however, unlike that park’s emphasis on absurdity to blunt our culturally inherited chagrin, the few erotic works here are sensuous and moving. Other human depictions are graceful, playful, beautiful, and alive. It is refreshing to see modern sculpture that keeps the soulful depiction of classical art forms while also utilizing the abstract elements and freedom of form found in modernism.

Directions

While it is not one of the better known attractions on the island, it is certainly worth checking out. Combined with a trip to the stunning cave temple at Sanbangsan and the quiet Hwasun Beach, it would make a wonderful day trip. On the common English tourist maps, it is called Jeju Sculpture Park and can be easily found by following the signs for Jeju Art Park near the western end of the 1132, just east of the 1121. It is a longish walk or a fairly short bike ride from Sanbangsan. Entrance is around 3,500 won with a discount for residents.