He Korean Cultural Center (CCC) in Manhattan, New York, has become a new iconic center of Korean culture following the inauguration of the impressive “Hangeul Wall” on September 25. This monumental work of art, which stands 22 meters high and 8 meters wide, celebrates the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, and seeks to connect people of diverse cultures through the beauty of language.
Designed by renowned South Korean visual artist Kang Ik-joong, the wall is made up of a total of 20,000 blocks containing 1,000 phrases selected from different themes.
The project’s motto, “What I want to share with the world,” reflects the goal of fostering intercultural understanding and appreciation. According to reports from Korean media outlets such as Yonhap News Agency, around 7,000 people from 50 countries participated in the creation of this mural, contributing their voices and experiences.
The “Hangeul Wall” as a platform for international expression and creativity
The uniqueness of the “Hangeul Wall” lies in its inclusive nature. The CCC developed a website that allowed people from around the world to enter phrases in their native languages, which were translated into Hangeul.
This initiative not only allows you to appreciate the versatility of the Korean language, but also promotes a sense of community and global collaboration. Each of the 1,000 selected phrases includes the author’s name in order to highlight the diversity of contributions.
Kang Ik-joong, the artist behind this work, expressed that the purpose of the project is to give visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of hangeul through interactive kiosks. At these kiosks, attendees will be able to create and share their own digital art. In this way, the experience of visiting the wall becomes a creative and participatory activity.
“I want everyone to feel that Hangeul is not just a writing system, but a means of expression and connection,” Kang said during the inauguration.
Celebrating art and creativity
The inauguration of the “Hangeul Wall” is not the only notable event at the Korean Cultural Center in New York. In turn, an exhibition titled “We Are Connected” will be held, celebrating Kang’s 40 years of artistic career.
This exhibition, which will be open to the public until November 7, includes a collection of 6,000 small 3-inch (approximately 7.5 cm) works that have not been exhibited in 30 years. These works are part of the collection of the Whitney Museum in New York, and the exhibition will also feature representative pieces from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, such as the “1932 Bowl.”
The CCC has established a space where art and culture intertwine, allowing visitors to observe and interact with the works. Kang’s exhibition invites reflection on the role of art in contemporary society.
On the dissemination of Korean heritage in the world and intercultural understanding
The inauguration of the “Hangeul Wall” and Kang’s exhibition are examples of the Korean Cultural Center’s efforts to promote Korean culture abroad.
This center has become a meeting point for those who want to explore and learn about the traditions and modernity of Korea. At a time when Korean culture has gained great recognition and popularity worldwide, initiatives like these are essential to deepen intercultural understanding.
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