I could be a city melting in your ice dreams
Wednesday, November 15th, 2006
Seoul is cold. Colder than Tokyo. Seoul at night is deserted, accidented, strange. Very Berlinesque. People going to bar, the same way they would in Berlin.
Daytime has that same feel, though streets are actually much more crowded and animated. I am here on a mission. A diplomatic one. Get my new visa. I got time to kill before the embassy delivers the precious document, so I end up in a large park, south of the city.
Deserted, blue sky and sunny and still very much cold. The park is home of a zoo, a prehistoric activity park and a theme park. And a contemporary art museum, next to the theme park. Everything’s empty, but the rides are running.
Seoul’s MOCA hosts one of the largest Paik Nam Jun video installations, the more the better. With this weather, the general deserted atmosphere of the park, this monumetal piece and the museum itself feel completely out of nowhere. Perfect. After that, what could be next ?
I’m not too keen on Korean abstract expressionism. Too grey. The current exhibition, Young Korean artists comes as a relief. Colors, interesting use of space, a non japanese cuteness maybe.
The rest of the day is visa, walking from one part of Seoul to another, and trying some great food of course. Heal yourself.
On the plane back to Tokyo I realize I can’t see myself living in Seoul. Not enough…what ? fun ?
welcome back Japan.
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