'That's Korea' culture fair set to take place in three Italian cities

Every year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation (KCDF) make an effort to promote Korean culture, particularly crafts, in Milan. The Korean Craft Exhibition runs during the annual Milan Design...

A promotional image for "That's Korea," which will promote hanbok, or traditional Korean dress. [KOREA CRAFT AND DESIGN FOUNDATION]

Every year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation (KCDF) make an effort to promote Korean culture, particularly crafts, in Milan.

The Korean Craft Exhibition runs during the annual Milan Design Week under different themes that aim to show the beauty and significance of crafts.

This year, Milan Design Week coincides with the 61st Milan Furniture Fair, both running from April 18 to 23, and the two organizations have expanded the event in terms of both region and genre.

The ministry and the KCDF said Monday in a press briefing that it is holding the large-scale festival titled “That’s Korea” in three cities — Milan, Venice and Brescia — and this year it will promote more than just crafts.

Featuring exhibitions, hands-on programs, seminars and a fashion show, the event will feature hanbok (traditional Korean dress), hanji (traditional Korean mulberry paper), Korean cuisine and traditional children’s games.

Visitors will be able to participate in a plethora of activities, such as watching a hanbok fashion show, cooking kongguksu (noodles in cold bean soup) using chickpeas or trying out ttakjichigi (Korean slap-match game).

There will also be a tram that runs throughout Milan that houses a moving pop-up store for K-food.

Artistic director Koo Byung-jun took the helm of this year's Korean Craft Exhibition in Milan, "Shift Craft." [KOREA CRAFT AND DESIGN FOUNDATION]

As for this year’s Korean Craft Exhibition, the theme is “Shift Craft” and has been curated by artistic director Koo Byung-jun. It will take place at the Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli and the Rossana Orlandi in Milan.

Koo is the CEO of his own design company PPS and has previously taken on projects with the National Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art, Seoul Auction and Gana Art Center.

Architect Cho Byoung-soo of BCHO Architects took the helm of the exhibition’s spatial design.

“In the past, it was mainly promoting our traditions and showing the world their value,” Koo said. “But now, it’s important to portray what the current state of crafts are and then explore how they will transform, or shift.”

Koo explained that not only does his exhibit attempt to showcase the tradition of crafts, it will try to utilize content from museums and fashion brands so that crafts can find a place in other fields.

He chose 20 craftspeople and divided them into 10 categories that explore the concept of crafts. A total of 65 pieces were created, ranging across ceramics, metal, wood, glass and otchil (lacquer).

"Mountain Moves" (2017) by Yoon Kwang-cho, as part of "Shift Craft" [KOREA CRAFT AND DESIGN FOUNDATION]

"Empty stone" (2012) by Kim Kwang-woo, as part of "Shift Craft" [KOREA CRAFT AND DESIGN FOUNDATION]

On the sidelines, Koo also created another sub-exhibition presenting 27 works of six emerging craftspeople that will go on sale.

Programs part of “That’s Korea” start April 13 and last through April 30. For specific dates and time, call 02-398-7900.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]