K-Animation with Literature (Mar. 24 - Dec. 29)
synopsis
K-Animation with Literature
Exhibition: March 24 - December 29, 2023
Screening of The Shaman Soreress & Filmmaker Discussion:
March 24 at 6:00 p.m. (RSVP required)
Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.
2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20008
The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents a new special exhibition in collaboration with celebrated Korean animation studio Meditation with a Pencil that explores the studio’s acclaimed films and their real-world inspirations from influential 20th century Korean literature. K-Animation with Literature offers a behind-the-scenes look at the studio’s impressive body of work and will remain open to the public March 24 through December 29, 2023 at the KCCDC.
The exhibition kicks off with a special opening screening of the studio’s award-winning feature-length animated film The Shaman Sorceress on Friday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. (2021, 86 min., in Korean with English subtitles, RSVP required), followed by a live Zoom conversation with the filmmaker, studio director Ahn Jae-huun.
The exhibition showcases five of Meditation with a Pencil’s animated films—When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom, The Shaman Sorceress, The Shower, A Lucky Day, and Spring, Spring—each of which was inspired by iconic works of contemporary fiction by pioneering writers who helped define Korean identity in the 20th century: Lee Hyoseok, Kim Yu-jeong, Hyun Jin-geon, Hwang Sun-won, and Kim Dongri.
Visitors will be able to glimpse inside the studio’s production process, from conceptualization and adaptation to animation and direction, and view all five films in the exhibition space (run times vary from 25-89 minutes). The exhibition also introduces the films’ literary inspirations, including translated English versions of the original writings and contextual information about the authors’ own inspirations and creative legacies.
Ahn’s film The Shaman Sorceress, winner of the Contrechamp Jury Distinction award at the 44th Annecy International Animation Film Festival, was inspired by Kim Dongri’s 1936 short story A Shaman’s Tale (무녀도 or Munyeodo in Korean) and Kim’s later expansion of the story into his 1978 novel (을화 or Eulhwa in Korean), which was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Like many of his contemporaries highlighted in this exhibition, Kim was deeply affected and influenced by the 1910-1945 period of colonial rule in Korea and the role of traditional culture in a rapidly changing and modernizing nation. Many of Ahn’s films thus vividly reflect this evocative and transformative period in history.
Admission to the exhibition is free and no appointment is necessary during regular hours (M-F, 10 a.m. – noon & 1-5 p.m.). For group visits, please contact the KCCDC in advance. The screening of The Shaman Sorceress and discussion with filmmaker Ahn Jae-huun on March 24 is free but seating is limited and advance registration is required. RSVP below.
Schedule of Events
K-Animation with Literature
Special Exhibition
March 24 – December 29, 2023 | Mon. – Fri. 10 am – 12 pm & 1–5 pm
No Appointment Required
The Shaman Sorceress (무녀도)
Screening & Talk with Filmmaker Ahn Jae-huun
Friday, March 24, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Registration Required Below
👇RSVP👇
UPDATE: Due to limited space at the venue, reservations for the special screening have been filled. Thank you for your keen interest in this event. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the special exhibition any time during the exhibition period.
Featured Animations
| The Shower (소나기) Director: Ahn Jae-huun
A young girl whiles away time on the stepping stones that cross a brook, whilst a boy stays put awkwardly as she blocks his way. When the girl breaks the silence and the two start to get along and enjoy themselves in the mountains, a sudden rain shower pours down and the girl falls ill. Inspired by The Shower (1953) by Hwang Sun-won (1915.3.26 – 2000.9.14)
|
| When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom (메밀꽃 필 무렵) Director: Ahn Jae-huun, Han Hye-jin Running Time: 25 min
Inspired by When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom (1936) by Lee Hyoseok (1907.2.23 – 1942.5.25) |
| A Lucky Day (운수 좋은 날) Director: Ahn Jae-huun, Han Hye-jin
Inspired by A Lucky Day (1924) by Hyun Jin-geon (1900.8.9 – 1943.4.25) |
| Spring, Spring (봄 봄) Director: Ahn Jae-huun, Han Hye-jin
Inspired by Spring, Spring (1935) by Kim Yu-jeong (1908.1.11 – 1937.3.29) |
| The Shaman Sorceress (무녀도) Director: Ahn Jae-huun
Inspired by A Shaman’s Tale (1936) and The Shaman Sorceress (1978) by Kim Dongri (1913.11.24 – 1995.06.17) |
When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom (2014)
A Lucky Day (2014)
Spring, Spring (2014)
The Shower (2017)
The Shaman Sorceress (2021)
- Director's Name
- Ahn Jae-huun
- Running Time
- 86
- Event Period
- Mar 24, 2023 - Dec 29, 2023
