Until 10 March, as part of the Seollal 2023 festival celebrating the Korean Lunar New Year, the Han-ul Gallery of the Centro Cultural Coreano in Madrid presents the exhibition of Korean Traditional Crafts The Hanok Full of Life, which brings the objects of everyday Korean life to life.
The Gallery of the Cultural Centre will be transformed into the interior of a Hanok or traditional Korean house divided into two spaces: Sarangbang, the exclusive male living space, and Anbang, a main room for women. The space will provide the opportunity to travel back in time by experiencing the hanok lifestyle, making use of the ondol, a heating system formed by radiating floor tiles that originated in the Three Kingdoms era (57-668 BC) and is still in use today, modernised, and to tour the twenty or so pieces that make up the exhibition, which have been made by Korean craftsmen and form part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage.
Hanok refers to traditional Korean houses that have a unique and singular architecture that adapts to the natural environment. It has a central hall called daecheongmaru designed in such a way that doors and windows can be opened to allow air to circulate freely.
In the past, Korean craftsmen developed a wide range of techniques to produce household items. To add durability and beauty, they developed the technique of decorating with iridescent bullhorn, mother-of-pearl and abalone laminates. Naturalism is a fundamental characteristic found in Korean sculptures and wares dating back to antiquity. More information on the Centre’s website.
