Day 16

Been having fun with my new portable near-infrared spectrometer and tomographic system designed to detect, classify, and isolate genetically modified (GM) foods in the field.  I am certain there must be some GM around here somewhere.....

Most ignored me.....however a few spoke English and we discussed the food production and GM use in the US.  Korea has banned this untested and dangerous technology.

The Subway

http://www.smrt.co.kr/Train/Subwaymap/Eng/Subwaymap.jsp

I found my way home tonight thanks to a few very generous foreigners.  The first, a Korean-American who is just beginning his pre-med studies at Boston U and second, a pair of English speaking Indians.  Thank you all!

Day 13

On one of my walks, I discovered a pile of discarded thread and brought it back to the studio.  I have no idea what I might do but I respond to the colors, texture and how limp, gravity bound, and bodily the material is.  When I cut a roll lengthwise, it pulls apart like muscle tissue. 

Geumcheon is a center for clothing manufacturing and I am wondering what other finds might be out there.....I will explore more tonight.

I have also learned the importance of not mixing Makkoli and Soju.  Makkoli is a traditional drink first made by rice farmers and now popular enough to be considered the national drink.  It is milky white in appearance, has an alcohol content of 10%, and can easily be found in every corner market. Very popular as well is Soju which is made from potatoes and is much like vodka in taste and appearance.  Soju is leathal especially if you choose to drink with Makkoli....I did and lost a full day.

Day 10

It is day 10 and I have accomplished much.  I know the neighborhood quite well thanks to a few folks at the center here.  I also go walking in search for locations to place my work.....Geumcheon is an working class neighborhood and many factories are situated around the art space.  I feel the setting is a perfect for what I am doing.  The weather has been rainy and overcast so today's bright skies were welcome.

I have been asked to post more pics of the art center.  Below is one of the many common spaces, my room/hostel, kitchen, and second floor studio hallway.

Day 5

The local cuisine is not only tasty but very healthy, I consider it comfort food. A few other residents and I eat out at least once a day. What a deal, 5000 won or a bit more than 4 US dollars per person. It is common to have kimchee, the ubiquitous to Korean dish, at all meals yet I usually skip it at breakfast.  Below, artists Neumseng of Korea and Luigui of Italy enjoy gamjatang or pork bone soup in one of the many small diners within walking distance of the art space.

Day 2

It is the rainy season here in Korea and the downpours have kept me inside more than I like. I have collected plenty of rainwater for my horticultural work and an now in the planning process for a few mobile hydroponic gardens.  Here is what the studio looks like.  (16.52m²-23.14m²)

Yesterday, I did get the chance to venture out a bit with another artist, Gisoo KIM, a Korean expat who now lives in Germany. Gisoo assisted me in exchanging dollars for won at a local bank which turned out to be a huge process. At the airport I had decided service rates were too high however, being only 2 days in Korea was not enough time for my passport to be listed online for the bank. Thought I was out of luck for groceries, fortunately Gisoo was able to smooth things out and now my pockets are full of won. On the way back from the bank we walked through a meat market...all I can say is WOW!  Very soon it was raining again so we made our way back to the art space. A woman felt sorry for the soggy foreigner and she gave us an umbrella. She would not be refused...I now have two umbrellas.

I have just arrived in Seoul

After a 16 hour flight, I have arrived in Seoul, South Korea for a residency at Seoul Art Space in Geumcheon. I am still finding my bearings yet I feel fully at ease here in Korea. I do not speak any Korean and rely on a few I-Phone apps for translations and currency rates when necessary. So far I find Koreans very helpful and willing to speak English after you butcher a few Korean words.

Incheon International Airport (ICN) serves as the main hub for international travel and is located 43 miles (70 km) west of Seoul. While ICN is the largest airport in Seoul and one of the busiest in the world, it is well designed (see below) and extremely easy to navigate.


Seoul Art Space Geumcheon is located 56 km from ICN. There are several options for transit such as train, bus, and taxi. Taxi service is the fastest and cheap compared to other large cities as the trip from the airport took little more than an hour and cost 70.00 US dollars or 84,000 KRW which included tolls. When choosing a taxi, there are several types ranging from the basic to the more expensive international taxi that offers translation services. This site http://www.korea4expats.com/article-types-of-taxis.html has more detailed descriptions of Seoul taxi services. My taxi had no meter and was some guy running his own taxi business on the side. He was very helpful carrying my excess baggage to the front door however, I had to remind him of the original fare agreed upon.