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| Lebanese Ambassador to Korea Antoine Azzam, eighth right in the front row, Korea Foundation (KF) Executive Vice-President Kim Seong-in, seventh from right in the front row, and other dignitaries pose during the opening ceremony of "Visual Synonyms" exhibition at the KF Gallery in Seoul, Feb. 12. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo |
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| Lebanese Ambassador to Korea Antoine Azzam delivers a speech as other ambassadors and dignitaries listen on during the opening ceremony for the "Visual Synonyms" exhibition at the Korea Foundation (KF) Gallery in Seoul, Feb. 12. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo |
By Yi Whan-woo
The Embassy of Lebanon in Korea, jointly with the Korea Foundation (KF), is hosting an exhibition of typographic designs inspired by Arabic calligraphy until March 13.
The exhibition, titled "Visual Synonyms," at the KF Gallery in Seoul showcases 103 works by 94 graphic design students at the Lebanese University in the capital of Beirut.
Seoul is the first East Asian city to run the exhibition, after it was held in Beirut, Tripoli and Saida ― all in Lebanon ― and Mumbai, India.
According to the KF, a non-profit organization, calligraphy in the Middle East is a "time-honored practice."
The KF said the exhibition is to promote Arabic calligraphy, its rich heritage and its benefits today, in accordance with its goal of public diplomacy under the wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
All 94 students learned under Antoine Abi Aad, the head of the Department of Graphic Design and Visual Communication at the Lebanese University.
The students delved into the compositions, forms, rhythms, contrasts and harmony of the specific Arabic calligraphy, many from verses from the Koran. They then used what they found within to create their own modern lettering, to show off exquisite beauty and evoke the fresh taste of Lebanon.
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| Lebanese University students' typographic designs inspired by Arabic calligraphy are being showcased at the Korea Foundation (KF) Gallery until March 13. / KF |
"The Korea Foundation has introduced a wide range of global arts and culture events to the Korean public and carried out an array of cultural programs to foster international exchanges," KF Executive Vice-President Kim Seong-in said during the opening ceremony, Feb. 12. "However, we haven't yet had all that many chances to present cultural events together with the Lebanese embassy. 'Visual Synonyms' is therefore very meaningful to us as a window to learning more about Lebanese culture and art."
Kim noted the 94 students were from different regions with different religions and that this suggests peaceful coexistence and friendship is evident in the exhibition.
"I can already foresee the success this exhibition will enjoy. I am sure that all our guests will leave the gallery with a greater knowledge and sense of a contemporary art based on history, and with a broader understanding of Lebanese culture and society as well," he added.
Among other participants were Abi Aad and Lebanese Ambassador to Korea Antoine Azzam, who taught the former a history class at the Lebanese University when he was in his 20s.
"I am in my dear Korea, with my dear history professor, his excellency," Abi Aad said. "It seems this exhibition took some time for preparation, but as they say in Guinness beer ads: good things come to those who wait. I cannot thank the Korea Foundation and the Lebanese embassy enough for all the efforts that they made."
The ambassador assessed "Visual Synonyms" is the "clear expression of quotes from the Koran and Prophetic books expressed by young talents."
He thanked the KF for giving Lebanon the opportunity to hold the exhibition in the presence of Abi Aad, whom he called, "a gentleman I am very proud of."
