Monday, March 15, 2010

Welcome to The Gangjin Experience

Welcome to the Gangjin Exhibit, Workshop and Tour blog.
  Our title photo was taken by Chris Wilks the partner of  Elise Bishop one of the 2009 exhibitors who walked up the mountain above the Gangjin celadon complex to get this photo.  This huge complex, for producing and promoting ceramics, is just one of at least nine such complexes in South Korea.  Imagine, South Korea is only the size of Hungary in Europe and/or the state of Indiana in the USA. The photo illustrates the commitment South Korea has to ceramics. We will visit some of these ceramic complexes on our International Ceramic Artist's Tour of Korea.  It would take us at least two weeks to visit all nine and also see just a few ceramic artists.  The full photo is below and shows the bay and some islands in the distance.  
Gangjin sits at the end of a large inlet and was the major port for shipping celadon.  It is estimated that 80% of the ancient celadon in international major museums comes from Gangjin. There were also many ship wrecks of pottery found in the inlets and bays off the countless nearby islands. Nearby museums display these recovered ship wrecks.  Six hundred years ago, pirates invaded this area many times ultimately leading to the diminished importance of celadon.  During the Imjin or "Potter's War" Japanese ships invaded this area only to be driven off by some very innovative folk who created a scarecrow army.  The entire area is rich in history and culture.  Major Seon or "Zen" Buddhist temples known for Tea are nearby as is the Bosong tea plantation and many potters of all types live near here. Korean Seon Buddhism is the purest form of "Zen" in the world.      
To follow this blog in sequence please cleck the word 'Next' at or near the end of each post. 

This blog is public but intended for  those who are considering joining us for the upcoming Gangjin Experience and International Ceramic Artist's Tour or have participated in The Gangjin Experience and one of our tours.
I hope that we will be able to answer your questions about these experiences.
We at Morning Earth Korea can develop similar tours on many topics for your group.  Contact us if you are interested.  But don't click this link if your interest is ceramics and the Gangjin Experience and International Ceramic Artist's Tour.  That link comes later.

NOTE:
Not everyone who applies is accepted but my personal goal is that everyone who is interested in experiencing Korean ceramics will have that opportunity.  That is my pledge to you.

Would you like to learn about these events another way?  Click onto these various links.

Welcome       Registration      Itinerary

4 comments:

  1. Hi. I can't speak highly enough about the Gangjin Celedon Festival or about Morning Earth's Korean pottery tour. Very special experiences! I must confess, though, that it wasn't actually me who took that great photo of the festival site - it was my partner, Chris Wilks. He accompanied the group of international potters (along with a few other lucky partners of potters) in 2009, and enjoyed the experience as much as the ceramicists.
    I can't wait to get back to Korea!
    Elise

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  2. My apologies to Chris. It was great to be able to have him on the tour. We try to accommodate a few family members whenever possible on these tours. It was also great to have you. Thanks for the photos you sent and thanks also to all the others who sent photos. You may eventually find one or two on this blog- hopefully correctly labeled and the correct photographer credited.
    Arthur

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  3. Hi
    I took part in the Gangjin experience and the tour. It was an amazing experience. The hospitality, site, museum and artists we met were more than amazing. Thank you Arthur and Mary for this inspiring experience. I found the Korean people such noble and warm people that love and appreciate ceramics. we met so many amazing potters and ceramicists. I found that my current work is influenced so much by this experience. I think that anybody who can enroll in this tour should do it- it a must that will enrich your life.
    Shamai

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  4. Hello Arthur, Mary and all the wonderful people I met on the tour - If anyone has a chance to go to the Gangjin exhibit and Morning Earth Tour, take it! The experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not only are the people kind and generous, but the educational and cultural knowledge gained is tremendous. Traveling with like minded potters is fun, and sharing so much information with new friends made it all a happy time. Seeing the importance the generations of Koreans place on the arts fills me with gratitude.
    Be well, Rachel

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