Heyri Art Village

Heyri Art Village

After Paju Book City, Junsung took us to Heyri Art Village to see his Heyri Book House, which he designed with SHoP Architects.

Other buildings in the complex...

Camerata -- 1930's style speakers in a cafe; you request a song, and the dj plays it

Unassuming exterior of Camerata

Happy Chuseok!

Happy Chuseok!

I'm sad I missed Labor Day -- nothing like a good ol' American BBQ. Nothing against the great Korean BBQ, but you just can't beat a cheeseburger with REAL cheddar. I had no idea how hard it is to get real cheese...

Cheese on lock-down in the supermarket

I was craving caprese salad. Missing basil =(

To redeem the fact that we missed a great American holiday, the koreans have given us two days off from school this coming monday and tuesday in honor of Chuseok, the harvest festival, or what we call Korean Thanksgiving. Koreans usually take this 3-day holiday to journey back to their hometown to pay respects to their ancestors and elders. It's also a great time to eat delicious food!

Songpyeon, a crescent-shaped rice cake, eaten during Chuseok; they are steamed upon pine needles.

 

I'm also finding that I'm missing those back home. I received a package from my mom today, with goodies inside:

and yes, skyping these girls makes me miss STL too --

Paju Book City - Mimesis Museum

Paju Book City - Mimesis Museum

Finally. I have been to my first ever Alvaro Siza building. and now I understand what everyone is talking about. Who knew it would have to take me coming to Korea to see a work of one of the most noted Portuguese architects?

Mimesis Museum, designed by Alvaro Siza Arquitecto, just about 30 km NW of Seoul. It is a book publisher's museum housing his private art collection. It is located in the complex of Paju Book City, a new city where many book publishing companies migrated to in efforts in experimenting with a new type of development. It is built on a former landfill; many architects were chosen to design these individual buildings. Our studio professor, Kim Junsung, took us along for a introductory tour of the area as well as a few of his buildings. Kim Junsung worked hand-in-hand with Siza on the Mimesis Museum, and was humble enough to show us around.

Though, it was finished about two years ago, the museum isn't open yet -- the land use is technically for commercial buildings. I think they will soon be able to get a permit to have this building up and functional. For the time being, television crews rent out the space to film dramas and commercials. In fact, they were filming something when we walked in.

Spinning to KPop

Spinning to KPop

I had no idea it would be so hard to find a gym in Seoul. It seems that koreans aren't as obsessed with being gym rats as Americans are. We managed to find a good gym close to campus. Things that are a little different from home are that most people wear the gym's uniforms, although they are not mandatory (cotton? during a sweaty workout? blech.). There are also these pink flip flops that people use too, which is odd to see in the gym. I thought it was Gym 101 to never wear open-toed shoes to work out? I guess this goes on a list of rules Koreans don't care to follow.

A guy wearing the pink flip flops on the bike

 We learned there was spin class, but man, were we in for a surprise. I assumed we'd be spinning to KPop, but I have never spun like this in my life. Back home, spin class consisted of speed workouts as well as hills and whatnot. This spin class consisted of what I can only describe as "dancing" on a bike. The regulars knew the routines by heart -- it was a good thing I was in the back. I give myself a month to start getting the motions right! By far the most favorite Kpop song to spin to came on (Roly Poly) by T-Ara.

Before class starts

Blurry, but i think it captures the craziness

Oh, and did I mention disco lights?

Back to the Studio Grind

Back to the Studio Grind

Studio is officially in swing, as well as September. Whew, where did the summer go?! This calls for some cake and champagne, right? At least it does in Korea! Although our studio and classes started last week, Konkuk University officially started their class this week. Their graduate all-school meeting consisted of faculty introductions as well as cake, champagne, donuts and bananas (random at first, but now that I've been here a few weeks, seems ordinary at this point).

Our professors making toast to a new semester.

Our quaint little studio space (first desk crits with Professor Kim)

My slice of pie, window seat

Gettin Crunky up in studio

...And this is how the korean students live in studio. (keyword=live) Nearly everyone lives in their studio space, and it seemed pretty common that the student had their foldable own bed-on-wheels, hangers with clothes, shower caddie, etc. It seems they are caged in... I guess it saves money on rent. The good thing is that there isn't any food allowed in studio spaces. Nothing like some ripe kimchi to ruin the studio environment!

Humble Korean Archie Abode

After studio last week, Professor Kim took us to the "Black Tent." It gets its name from the tent structure that gets pulled out every night from the side of the building. barbeque grills and chairs are pulled out, and voila, instant restaurant. During the day, the structure retracts back into the side of the building. Technically the place's permit is for a "garage," loosely interpreted. I have a feeling we will be frequenting this place a lot =)