February 2025
The Korean Cultural Centre Canada proudly presents the exhibition “What We Saw, What You See,” running until Friday, Mar. 28, at its Ottawa venue. This event features the collaborative works of artists Choi Byungcheol, Hong Younghun and Jeong Minwoo from “Studio Ordinary,” alongside a performance by the dance team Propeller Dance.
Studio Ordinary is a visual arts collective that centers its activities on the theme of “communication.” They have worked extensively with artists with developmental disabilities in Korea, organizing visual arts workshops and exhibitions that foster connection and understanding through art.
Choi Byungcheol transforms everyday landscapes into imaginative and sensory experiences. By reinterpreting the ordinary with a fresh perspective, his work invites viewers to discover “novelty” and “wonder” in familiar scenes. This transformative experience offers an opportunity for visitors to reexamine and reinterpret their daily surroundings and embrace a new way of seeing the world.
Hong Younghun is an artist who delves into the relationship between humans and nature. For this exhibition, he presents paintings inspired by animal photography. His works provoke viewers to reconsider how they perceive and interact with animals, offering a poignant reflection on humanity’s treatment of the natural world.
Jeong Minwoo captures the intuitive elegance and graceful beauty of dance in his art. By exploring the rhythm and form of human movement, he creates moments of profound connection between the artwork and its audience.
A standout feature of this exhibition is the performance video “Circle of Nature,” created by the three Korean visual artists in collaboration with the dance group “Propeller Dance.” Inspired by themes of growth, connection and transformation in nature, this performance expresses the cycles of life through movement.
The Korean Cultural Centre in Paris recently hosted the “Korean Tour Festival,” a celebration of Korean culture that took place in Tours, France, from Feb. 22 to 23. Building on the success of “La Foire de Tours 2023,” this year’s festival featured an even more vibrant and engaging lineup of programs.
The festival showcased a wide range of Korean cultural elements, offering visitors an immersive experience of Korea’s rich heritage and modern trends. Fans of K-pop enjoyed an exciting array of programs, including random dance challenges, karaoke, K-pop shows, concerts and dance workshops. A special highlight was the “K-pop Dance Contest,” which took place on Feb. 23.
Cosplay enthusiasts were in for a treat as well. A dedicated cosplay section featured booths with dazzling costumes and talented artists. A Cosplay Contest was also held on Feb. 22. Those interested in participating had the opportunity to register on the Korean Tour Festival’s official website.
No celebration of Korean culture would have been complete without Webtoons, which were also featured at the festival. Visitors had the chance to meet the creators behind the webtoons and animations that originated in Korea and captivated audiences worldwide. In addition, there was an array of gaming-related content. Attendees enjoyed animations derived from games, participated in quizzes, and even experienced playing games at interactive stations.
The festival also featured a variety of booths serving delectable Korean street food, a global trend that has captured the taste buds of many. Food stalls offered delicious and trendy Korean dishes throughout the venue, allowing visitors to indulge in the flavors that have taken the world by storm.
Scenes from Foire de Tours 2023 (2023 Tours Fair), 
Scenes from Foire de Tours 2023 (2023 Tours Fair), 
