예술마을

Hyeri Art Valley is a place in Paju (파주, 坡州), Gyeonggi Province, where writers, artists, painters, photographers, architects, hobbyists and musicians build their artistic spaces, houses, work rooms, museums and galleries. I am glad that I made the trip. My afternoon at the Hyeri Art Valley stimulated both my mind and senses. The place has yet to be fully developed and I do believe that one day it will become a must-visit-place in Korea. I will definitely go back another time.

Frog musicians at the Museum of Musical Instruments of the World (세계민속악기박물관, 世界民俗樂器博物館). A small museum that exhibits private collection.

The Butterfly House. A place where nature, art and human meets. There are library, gallery, cafe and art and craft room, all under one roof.

Ahn S.K. Studio (안상규 스튜디오). A private work studio of Korean artist - Ahn Sang Kyu.

Photo exhibits outside of the Heart Photo Studio (마음사진공방, 마음寫眞工坊). Photo captured through 마음 is a piece of art.

One of the few sculptures found at The Step (더스텝). The Step is the central of the Hyeri Art Valley. It has a big open space for the staging of large-scale events.

Musical performance notices are written on the wall with chalk at the Camerata Music Space (카메라타 뮤직스페이스) . The dead tree branch provides an interesting touch to an otherwise plain wall.

The Keumsan Gallery (금산갤러리). Probably one of the most famous and unique building in Hyeri. The wall of this building was built with openings to allow the branches of a tree to extend out. The building is an epitome of human and nature co-existing in harmony.

The Kim Jeong-Jai Sculpture Studio (김정재조각공방)

The Sunnie International (선이인터내셔날) - Museum of Construction

The An's House (안스하우스) - A Quilt Gallery. The building is built on a hill top with a good view of the English Village.

Cine Palace (씨네팰리스) - Museum of Movies

Foresta, a restaurant in the Book House (한길북하우스) which serves Italian and French cuisine.

William Morris, a book cafe in the Book House.

The exterior of the Book House.

The Book House has a bookstore, restaurant, cafe and gallery coming together to provide a comprehensive artistic experience and which they call the "Total Art Space".

In the Book House, book shelves are placed along the ramp which connects the ground level to the first. It was quite a special experience reading book while standing on a sloped surface.

Touch gallery (터치아트) - a gallery that showcases the latest works by local and foreign artists. The place is not just about art. It has food, fashion and entertainment all within one premise. This building has a very good view of the Reed Plaza.

The Reed Plaza (갈대광장). It may not be visible but there is a field of reeds by the lake. Quite a nice place for an evening stroll. This is supposed to be the filming location for a Korean romance comedy.

This building is called the "Green Frog" (청개구리). Within this building, you can get consultancy services for interior and exterior design, garden landscaping, wedding and party planning.

This unique-looking building is called the Perspective (퍼스 펙티브).

I like to go back to a home that looks like this.