A master artisan and a scholar of hanbok – the traditional dress of Korea – will visit Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday, Nov. 15, for an event exploring the cultural significance of the elegant garments defined by muted colors, dramatic movement and simple lines.
“The Aesthetics and Artistry of Hanbok” begins at 5 p.m. with a lecture by Korean scholar Lee Min Jung, followed by a 6 p.m. workshop led by Kim In Ja, a master artisan who will demonstrate the technique of hand-sewing hanbok. At 7:30 p.m., Kim will work with LMU student models to demonstrate how the traditional garments are worn. All events are free and open to the public.
“I am pleased to welcome to campus hanbok experts and scholars who will help bring one of Korea’s cultural symbols closer to the LMU community and the public,” said Leon Wiebers, assistant professor of costume design in LMU’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, and a former Fulbright Senior Scholar who studied traditional dress in South Korea.
“With increased tensions in this region of the world, it is important to remember that diplomacy can be a personal act of cultural and artistic exchange,” he said. “Nothing is more personal than one’s clothes, and we must be mindful of the bodies inside of the clothes to gain an understanding of and an insight into each other’s culture.”
The program is presented by LMU’s College of Communication and Fine Arts and sponsored by the Hanbok Advancement Center, an affiliate of the Korea Crafts and Design Foundation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Established in 2014, the center seeks to vitalize the hanbok industry and share the exquisiteness of hanbok culture through various projects.
“The Aesthetics and Artistry of Hanbok” is a collaborative project involving LMU, California State University, Northridge, and UC Irvine.
WHAT: LMU hosts “The Aesthetics and Artistry of Hanbok,” featuring a free lecture, hand-sewing workshop and dress demonstration. A reception will follow.
WHERE: Loyola Marymount University’s William H. Hannon Library, Von der Ahe Family Suite, 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15.
