Bowl with buncheong lid with stamped chrysanthemum motif, Joseon Dynasty, 33,6th century, H. 1981 cm, Dongwon Collection, legacy of Lee Hong-kun in XNUMX, National Museum of Korea, © National Museum of Korea

If ceramic is created using earth and fire all over the world, its style and characteristics vary greatly from region to region. Korean ceramics perfectly embody the uniqueness of Korea and the spirit of the country. It is an artistic domain in its own right. This exhibit features many masterpieces from the National Museum of Korea's collection, many of which have been officially designated Treasures and National Treasures. It allows visitors to explore the whole history of Korean ceramics, immersing themselves in the spirit that inhabits it.

The exhibition presents an overview of Korean ceramics, from ancient times of the Three Kingdoms period to the contemporary era, including the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Among the most remarkable ancient works are notably anthropomorphic vases, often buried with the deceased to guide their souls into the afterlife in accordance with the funeral beliefs of the time.

In addition, the flourishing aristocratic culture of the Goryeo period is represented by celadon vases with sumptuous shapes and generous layers of shiny jade varnish, which testify to the refined tastes of the nobility. The optimism and energy of the early Joseon era is expressed through the free and creative buncheong works, while the austere beauty of immaculate white porcelain recalls the principles of neoconfucianism promoted by the Joseon society.

In addition, the everyday pieces of celadon and white porcelain, in particular the crockery or the cosmetic boxes… offer a fascinating glimpse of everyday life at that time. Korea's true aesthetic sense is said to be embodied in the "moon jars", large, nearly round jars of almost white porcelain reminiscent of the full moon. Their unique charm inevitably captivates the observer.

Traditional ceramics have always greatly inspired contemporary artists. This is why this exhibition presents, alongside traditional masterpieces of Korean ceramics, great works of contemporary Korean artists among the most famous, all active on the international artistic scene.

For example: the collaborative work of Lee Ufan and Park Young Sook, which uses the style of blue and white porcelain, a video work of Kimsooja entitled Earth, Water, Fire, Air, which analyzes the four constituent elements of the universe (and ceramics) from a new angle, as well as an original video work by artists Moon Kyungwon and Jeon Joonho, created especially for the exhibition, entitled A molden moon, life within a vase.

Pratical information

• Commissioner General: Dr. Kim Youngna, former director of the National Museum of Korea
• police station: Im Jin A, Kim Kyudong, Kim Hyunjung, Park Hyewon and Yoon Sangdeok, curators at the National Museum of Korea
• scientific advisor: Stéphanie Brouillet, curator at Sèvres - Cité de la Céramique, responsible for Asian collections.
• opening : every day from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m., Wednesday night until 22 p.m. Closed every Tuesday and May 1st.
• prices : € 10, € 7 TR (16-25 years old, job seekers, large families). Tribe rate (4 people including 2 young people from 16 to 25 years old): € 27 Free for children under 16, beneficiaries of the RSA and the minimum old age pension.
• access: metro line 1 and 13 "Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau" or line 9 "Franklin D. Roosevelt".
• information and reservations: www.grandpalais.fr