Sarangbang, The room for leisurely life

 By Onyang Folk Museum (온양민속박물관) in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, , Republic of Korea.

Exhibition:  07-11-2016 ~ 27-11-2016

Inauguration: 07-11-2016 Monday at 11:00 am

Venue:  Exhibition Hall, IGNCA

(Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts), IGNCA Exhibition Hall, 11, Mansingh Road,

Supporter: Onyang Folk Museum,Indira Gandhi National Center of Arts,Travelling Korean Arts program, Korea Art management Service, Korean Cultural Centre India

The Sarangbang was both a place of study for the seonbi (Confucian scholars) of old Korea, a setting for mastering the old and learning the new as well as a place of education and the fostering of future scholars. Each room was equipped with a wide range of items related to learning from the "Four treasures of study"

This exhibition attempts to provide deeper understanding on the living spaces of the Joseon Dynasty, while also promoting Korean aesthetics and the philosophies of classical scholars known as the seonbi. The Sarangbang is a room where scholars sought to strengthen their character. This was where the Seonbi studied - to master the old and the new. However, it was also a place to relax with guests and indulge in the beauty of arts. As it was meant to reflect the wisdom and character of the master of the house, the Sarangbang was decorated with moderated elegance which highlighted the Seonbi’s chaste virtues. The writing desk, oil lamp, calligraphy brush, ink stone, India ink, wooden pillow, scroll shelf, brazier, and chamber pot featured in this exhibit were carefully selected from the collection at the Onyang Folk Museum. Their structural beauty, simplicity, and modesty underscore the Seonbi’s ideal of elegant restraint. This exhibit also attempts to merge the traditional elements of the Sarangbang with our modern lifestyle. Thus, the exhibit collaborated with experts in photography, media, and design, which shed light on how contemporary artists and designers approach traditional themes. Through this unique reinterpretation of the Sarangbang, we are able to appreciate the values and principles embedded in our tradition while delving into the stories about the life of Seonbis. By witnessing a slice of life from the past, visitors can hopefully rediscover true leisure amid the rapid transformations of today’s hustle and bustle, and achieve a better understanding of Korea’s heritage and contemporary art.

 

The Onyang Folk Museum is a private museum that specializes in folk culture. It is a multi-purpose cultural space where visitors can see, hear, and experience the traditional Korean life and culture. The museum has been dedicated to building a systematic collection of tangible and intangible folk materials, while hosting various life-enriching exhibits. These treasures have contributed to academic research while also serving as educational materials for future generations. The museum was founded in Gwongok-dong of of Asan, Chungcheongnam-do on October 25, 1978 by Kyemong Publishing founder Kim Won-dae (1921–2000 ). The founder hoped to encourage Koreans to recognize their cultural roots and spread the values of Korean culture abroad. It boasts some 20,000 relics, while its outdoor gallery displays a shingle-roofed home, water mill, millstone, pavilion, papermaking workshop, and alms-giving monument house.

Korean Cultural Centre  is a no-profit institution aligned with the Government of Republic of Korea to promote Korean Culture and facilitate cultural exchanges between countries. Korean Cultural centre organizes programs under the category of Arts, music, literature, film and cuisine.