Hoo-Ray for Han-Bok Day!

It's that time of year again... Chuseok! The kids love it, I enjoy it... everyone gets to eat a lot of snacks and wear funny clothing. We also get our pictures taken and practice bowing. That way when the kids see their grandparents later they'll be able to properly address them for the holidays.

This year at my new school they weren't as extravagant as the last one. YBM PSA took pictures and we bowed, but no one showed us a tea ceremony or how to hold our hands. My co-teacher brought in her mother's hanbok for me to wear. Pretty nice. Very Yellow. The kids were adorable as always. Not to mention insanely excited to be showing off their traditional clothing. They found it really silly that I was in a Hanbok, and wanted to know if I brought it from home. Explaining my borrowing it and not knowing that much about it because it's only my second time in one wasn't as easy as i thought, haha. No big deal, we all found each other insanely hilarious!

kevin, aaron, and lina (l to r)

studying mushrooms before his big adventure on the mountain

can't look right now chelsea teacher, i'm working!

sarah, with the cutest hair piece ever!

amy...adorable and daft

Jiho, in his natural state... my co-teacher, also in her natural state.... looking into the mirror

ahhh, that's better. work finished, smiling tony!

Though the day can be stressful, trying to manage twenty kids in outfits their parents pay a lot of money for. They're not supposed to get them dirty, play in them, or just in general be rowdy (yeah you try telling that to twenty 6 year olds!)
Needless to say Stephen and I paid a much needed visit to Bob @Echo Point later that evening for a few rounds of pool. So, with our friends June and Kyu we passed the night in relative ease and laziness.

Rumicube!!!!

June 

Kyu and I

Stephen, Bob and myself arguing over music

Temporary DJs

Paper On Edge - Insadong Seoul

I went and saw my co-worker's art show in Central Seoul just the other day. I rode my bike up from Gangnam... a good effort, barely thought I was going to make it on time!

- Jay Gallery -

Really the only requirement for the show was that the artwork needed to be on paper or about paper in someway. With the very limited space of the galley all artists did exceptionally well with representing themselves in their many avenues. A few are worth mentioning.

Liz Groeschen, interested in yoga and travel, delved into personal application of the zen like poses people try and twist themselves and the idea of mapping. The application of the maps turn the lines of roads into vein-like structures or quite possibly even the chi of someone twisting into some unbelievable form. While the idea could have been ascetically pushed through more abstraction or more personal design, it is a concept we can all "align" to and feel similarly about.

This image (above), taken with an iPod, is from Seo Jeong-hak. An artist who compresses pieces of "hanji," traditional Korean paper, into tight rolls that he then cuts into sections and arranges on a wood support in a hybrid of painting and sculpture. Using this combination he was able to create an abstract analysis of flowing color and form with the application of making traditional Korean paper. With a lovely undulating surface the very stiff and ridged paper of traditional processes seems to flow between itself and create a surface of rapidly changing colors in the lighting and shadow.

Lastly, Loren Rudisuela whose work looks both at historical representations of Asian art and it's new modern and post-modern counter part. Using several styles of art including digital design and painting Loren creates landscapes and still life pieces that reminiscent of old style Asian paintings, comic books, and modern Asian advertising. 

Bultanan Saram - Korea's Burning Man

katlyn's my hero. she'd been to burning man in the states (proclaiming and preaching it's wonders) and when the time rolled around she sorted everything out and started korea's first ever burning man celebration. a fantastic concept. if you've never heard of it or seen anything about it, i suggest you look into it here. the week long event is where it's at, but because this is korea, and week long holidays just don't happen we chose a weekend and did our best.

1) be open to life

2) be honest with yourself

3) bring something to share...

doesn't matter... sharing is caring

4) be yourself, no judgement. 

silly, serious,

manic, nutters and crazies - 

all are welcome 

as long as you come in peace 

\m/ ^^ \m/

bread crumbs

meet up - check point #1

after a good deal had gathered at the main subway change before gimpo airport we headed further on along the airport railway through incheon and to the ferry, picking up many followers as we progress. a lotta looks, questions and giggles

bus stop outside the airport... soju syringe shots

meeting place - check point #2 

a duck... walking backwards :p

convicing irish cricketeers to join the fun!

hair prep and overall absurdity on the ferry

covered mudflats

the thing about  muuido beach/island is their impressive mudflats. a spectacular sight to see while you're in korea. the go on for miles when the tide is out, and come all the way in right up to the tide marking and suddenly you're in hip deep water. it was really amazing to watch the tides coming in over the mudflats. a gentle constant surge of water, no crashing ocean waves. very unique and quieting.

tide coming in over the mudflats

burning man bar... the vomiting seagulls

body painting

tents

our man

the group

more soju... food too

oh anointed ones, for 'ye are blessed and welcomed by the plya into burning man

party on!!!!

luna!! so glad you came out :)

sunset... burn baby burn

he's lit... the burn begins

thank you for everyone who contributed to the planning and good times of the weekend! unforgettable!