The Meeting of Nature, Art, and Healing: Kangcheon Art Center
The Kangcheon Art Center, located in Jayan-ri, Gurim-myeon, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, opened its doors in February, nestled under the beautiful slopes of Mt. Kangcheon and encompassing approximately 100,000 pyeong of land that includes the Jayan Reservoir.
This center is the culmination of 30 years of dedication and affection from Director Kim Ji-woo and his wife, who have been art collectors in Gwangju for many years. They dreamed of creating a space to exhibit their collection and gradually acquired land starting over 20 years ago. Seven years ago, they moved to Sunchang, and after much careful planning, they have now launched this multi-cultural space.
Currently, the center features the Park Deok-eun Museum, the Kangcheon Museum, and an outdoor sculpture park, with plans to add two more museum buildings and a pension in the future, solidifying its status as a true healing destination.
The most captivating aspect of the Kangcheon Art Center is its seamless integration of nature and art. In front of the center, thousands of cedar trees, planted over a decade ago, form a lush forest.
The 'Cedar Forest Trail' currently under development will connect the art center with the natural surroundings, and the maple trees and flowers placed throughout will harmonize with the sculptures, creating a picturesque landscape.
Once the 'Godowon Healing Center' is established above the reservoir, this area is expected to become a new landmark representing Sunchang, the city of healing.
As a private garden, the Kangcheon Art Center charges an entrance fee. Although there is currently no staff at the ticket booth, parking is available, and staff will assist visitors. Upon payment of the entrance fee at the café (seminar room), complimentary tea and beverages are provided, which can be enjoyed on-site or taken outside to appreciate the artworks in the outdoor exhibition area.
The entrance fee is set at 8,000 KRW for adults (7,000 KRW for groups of 20 or more), 6,000 KRW for locals, and 3,000 KRW for children (ages 3 to 12). A variety of menu options, including coffee, ade, and smoothies, are available, with a special handmade tea limited to 30 cups per day being a local delicacy. It’s a perfect opportunity to sip warm tea while strolling through the outdoor exhibition area, immersed in artistic contemplation.
The Park Deok-eun Museum, which opened in 2023, is the first point of contact for visitors. This modern exhibition space spans three floors and features an outdoor sculpture park, blending beautifully with the stunning natural environment of Mt. Kangcheon. The journey to the museum feels like a grand exhibition in itself.
Inside, the first and second floors showcase a diverse array of works, including paintings, sculptures, and installations, allowing visitors to delve into the artist's profound artistic world. This space, imbued with the philosophy of poet, painter, and critic Park Deok-eun, offers an experience that transcends mere visual appreciation, inviting visitors to feel the literary sensitivity embodied within.
The third floor serves as the artist's collection storage, while the outdoor garden features poetic stones and sculptures harmoniously placed throughout, offering a unique romantic experience of reading poetry amidst nature. Various programs are also available, including literary courses and creative workshops, engaging visitors as active participants in the arts.
Stepping outside the museum leads to the expansive outdoor sculpture park, where visitors can admire 'stone works' crafted by Director Kim Ji-woo. This traditional horticultural art form showcases nature's beauty by affixing plants to stones, creating miniature landscapes.
Among the volcanic rock sculptures, a romantic small wedding space is available, and the cool stream flowing from the Jayan Reservoir provides the perfect relaxation spot for summer visitors. Director Kim Ji-woo, a poet and mandala artist, continues to nurture the park as a grand artistic creation.
With over 500 sculptures scattered throughout the park, all treasures collected by Kim Ji-woo over a lifetime, there are plans to construct two additional museum buildings to accommodate the 20,000 works currently in storage. The future of the art center promises to be even richer as time goes on.
The Kangcheon Museum is a space dedicated to exhibiting Kim Ji-woo's personal collection. This single-story building, about 60 pyeong in size, is designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Featuring over 80 carefully selected works, including Eastern and Western paintings, exquisite ceramics, and jade pieces, the museum showcases the collector's discerning eye and passion developed over 30 years of nationwide collecting.
With a growing collection and nowhere to store the increasing number of works, the decision to choose Sunchang's expansive land reflects a heartfelt commitment to art. After seven years of dedicated investment and development, the café was opened earlier this year, initiating communication with the public.
The hidden gem of the Kangcheon Art Center is its collection storage, comprising three buildings housing over 20,000 works accumulated over the past 30 years.
With over 300 pieces of ceramics, around 100 rare watches from both the East and Europe, and over 1,000 bronzes, Western paintings, and folk paintings, the variety and quantity are indeed vast. The watch collection alone could fill an entire museum, and this perfectly controlled environment serves as Sunchang's 'treasure trove.'
The 100-pyeong lake and pavilion at the center of the art center provide an ideal spot to enjoy a cup of tea while taking in the surrounding artworks. In autumn, the vibrant foliage of Mt. Kangcheon will host a maple festival, complemented by a 3km cedar forest walking trail.
The Kangcheon Art Center, where the beauty of nature meets the spirit of artists, is highly recommended for those seeking to momentarily set aside the busyness of everyday life and experience the emotions that nature and art provide. Why not head to Sunchang this weekend to witness the blossoming flowers of art in every season?
Source :https://blog.naver.com/jbgokr/224289943229
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