| |
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
 |
Museum of Korea Straw and Plants Handicraft
[25-10-2008] |
 |
|
|
Untitled Document
 Straw and plants have been used in
Korea long before brass and metal entered the country.
It had been used to make houses and farming tools. Unlike rare and hard-to-acquire materials like brass, straw
was readily available for the common people. A long time ago, household objects made with straw and
plants were essential to the lives of
the common people. This week, let’s visit Museum of Korea Straw
and Plants Handicraft 짚풀생활사박물관 in Jongno, Seoul and learn interesting
historical facts about straw!
The Traditional Korean House
In the main hall of the Museum of
Korea Straw and Plants Handicraft, you can see many valuable historical objects
like traditional clothing, hats, shoes and
wares. Currently, a few pieces from this collection are introduced
in Korean elementary school textbooks. Students who saw
pictures of these objects in their textbooks find it interesting to see
them with their own eyes.
The museum also took over a traditional Korean house built 70 years
ago and kept all of its original designs while only adding a few modern touches like air conditioning and lighting. The house includes a front yard with white sand
just like it was 70 years ago. The yard is open to anyone to rest or to play traditional
Korean games.
Educational
Programs
The museum offers educational programs
for children. During the week, the museum
is usually packed with children
coming on school field trips. During weekends, programs for adults are held three times
a day. Visitors first watch an introduction video in the
main hall and gather into groups to make
their own straw objects with help from the program coordinators. Visitors can
choose to make straw dolls,
straw egg carriers or straw snakes!
 Space
S
Space S is a gallery space on the second floor of the museum. It displays artistic pieces from artists exclusively working with
straw to make art. Works displayed in the gallery are vastly different from the
traditional handicraft on the first floor. Abstract artists express themes such as wind, water and the
four seasons by the use of materials drawn from straw.
So, why don’t you visit the Museum of Korea Straw
and Plants Handicraft with your family this week and try making your own straw
handicraft? |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
