The samsung name....

.... is pretty well everywhere.  One of the largest companies in the world is located here,and not just connected to household products.  The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art is a modern building in Itaewon, just up the road for us, and is recommended highly from all sources.

Many museums of art, and there are others in Seoul, are filled to the brim with items that all deserve time and attention, but after awhile your head starts to swim and one painting or shard of pottery starts looking like another.  This museum is the perfect size, with pottery (for which Korea is renowned) on the top two floors, then caligraphy and painting on the lower floors, with comtemporary works and temporary exhitis on the ground level and outdoors. 

Every artifact is displayed on its own, and the path one takes is circular, ending where it begins, with the stair well reminiscent of New York's Guggenheim museum. 



classic 12th century Korean pottery shape

ingenious but damnably uncomfortable pillow

pottery within pottery

It was a wonderful way to be introduced to Korean works, especially the pottery. So many of these pieces were quite delicate, and yet over 1,000 years old.  Quite a feat given Korean society seems to be less reverant of old things (other than family members), with a tear 'em down, build 'em up attitude.

The temporary exhibit was of works by Anish Kapoor (we love his "cloudgate" in Chicago, which looks like a chrome bean) and it did not disappoint.

Even the cafe was an artpiece, with painted flowers gaily framing patrons (the custard bread was like biting into a cloud - heavenly!)