Buddhist monks walk briskly to attend evening worship at the nearby Jogyesa Temple. Their traditional attire stands out against the backdrop of surrounding businesses, typical of any corner in Seoul, April 2023. Courtesy of Embassy of Dominican Republic in Seoul
Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Korea, Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, delves into the inspiration and thematic elements behind his solo photo exhibition titled "Stillness and Change: Korea." The exhibition features a curated selection of 46 large-format photographs that capture the essence of Korea's enduring cultural identity amid rapid modernization. It will be open to the public from Oct. 12 to Oct. 25 at the Gallery Banditrazos in Seoul.
Dominican Republic Ambassador to Korea Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
"For me, photography is a passion. I would gladly live as a photographer, but of course, I studied economics and live as an ambassador. Photography for me is the one artistic ability that I have cultivated ever since I had my first photography course back in 1981," Ambassador Cuello said during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Seoul.
"This selection of 46 pictures is a graphical depiction of how Korea has preserved its essential character despite the very rapid change that has taken place over the last two generations. You can see this in the preservation of traditional architecture that coexists with very modern architecture, in the behavior of people, their tolerance, their openness," he explained.
The theme, Stillness and Change, encapsulates the idea that Korea's enduring essence remains constant even amidst visible transformations. Ambassador Cuello highlighted the remarkable progress Korea has achieved since the devastation of war, referring to its top development indicators as "something to be very proud of and that resulted from the sacrifice of so many."
The ambassador praised Korea's openness to diverse religions and viewpoints.
"Few countries are so open to different religions, different opinions, and this is really admirable. This stillness allows Koreans to continue interacting with each other despite the fact that someone can be Buddhist, Protestant, Catholic, or agnostic. The majority of people are agnostic, and yet you don't see any kind of conflict unlike other places where these issues are more controversial," he said.
The morning mist of the cold Korean winter accentuates the mystery surrounding this pagoda built atop one of the mountains that surround Seoul, February 2023. Courtesy of Embassy of Dominican Republic in Seoul
The exhibition aims to capture the rich tapestry of Korean life.
"Korea is a very rich society, and just going into the street you see many things. I think to emphasize the many positive aspects of change is a demonstration of the love and admiration I have for this country," he said.
"The two pictures that I think embody the message of the title are: one, which is the cover of the catalog, showing a group of Buddhist monks walking in their tennis shoes in front of a 7-Eleven; and the other, a pagoda."
All photographs will be for sale, with the profits funding the extraordinary activities organized by the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS) for children living in Korean welfare centers.
"I am organizing the exhibition with a view to selling the pictures, and then all the profits will be donated as initial funding for the continuation of this extraordinary program of activities for children who cannot be with their parents," the ambassador said.
In his final thoughts, the ambassador expressed hope for widespread public engagement.
"I hope all your readers come to the exhibition, which will be open between the 12th and the 25th of October, including Sundays. I look forward to hosting all of you at this first solo exhibition I organize, here in Korea, about Korea and for Koreans," he said.