Korean Beauty : Visual Expressions of a Timeless Spirit (Paperback)

Introduction 9

1. Korean Aesthetics
Standards of the past 16
Harmony between humans and nature 16
Rustic simplicity 26

2. Different Notions of Korean and
Western Beauty
Realism vs. true spirit 38
Realistic vs. idealized worlds 42
Grandeur vs. harmony 45

3. The Beauty of Emptiness
Humanism 61
Humor 64
Preserving age-old aesthetic techniques 69
More globalized tastes 74

4. Korean Gyubang Crafts
The aesthetic of the slow 82
Making it look simple 84
Useful but exquisite 86
Embroidery arts 94
A magnificent folding screen 100
A lavish robe 102

5. Traditional Korean Architecture
Harmony with nature 108
Tying it all together through the madang 114
Rustic charm 118
The borrowed landscape 122

6. Hanbok
An outfit steeped in history 132
The beauty of modesty 133
Generosity, emptiness, nature 136
Color contrasts 139
Fabrics of nature 142
A modern touch 145

7. The Visual Arts
An idealized world: The Korean landscape painting 148
Celadon: Beauty in greenish blue 159
Porcelain (non) perfection: The moon jar 162
Dansaekhwa: Korean minimalism meets modern art 165
Korean handicrafts: Form equals function 170
Folk art: Beauty for the masses 179

8. Korean Accessories
Norigae 184
Beoseon 190
Flower shoes 194
Traditional Korean hats for men 198

9. The Korean World of Color
Obangsaek: The five colors of the cosmos 208
Korean palaces: A sea of red 210
Korea’s colorful cuisine 214
Korean wedding attire 217
The Korean flag: A nation of harmony 218
Dancheong 220

Epilogue 226