The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Aug. 20 that it and the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) will hold the exhibition "The Touch that Connects Time" from Sept. 3-22 to vitalize endangered national intangible cultural heritage that are facing a crisis in being passed on to a new generation. Shown above is Kim Hey-sun making decorative knots, an intangible cultural heritage. (KHA)

By Wu Jinhua

An exhibition will be held to display national intangible cultural heritage that are on the verge of extinction.

The Korea Heritage Service (KHS) announced on Aug. 20 that it and the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) will hold the exhibition "The Touch that Connects Time" from Sept. 3-22 to vitalize endangered national intangible cultural heritage that are facing a crisis in being passed on to a new generation.

The KHS has designated and prioritized support for national intangible cultural heritage that face the risk of being discontinued due to their low popularity and a decrease in societal demand.

The exhibition will be held in Dondeokjeon Hall and Deokhongjeon in Deoksugung Palace, showcasing about 150 works from 46 cultural heritage makers in the 20 categories of "traditional technology" that are endangered cultural heritage.

Reconstructed for the first time in about 100 years and opened to the public last year, Dondeokjeon will showcase about 80 works in the 20 categories.

The works displayed include those from four deceased craftspeople -- cotton weaving of Naju by Noh Jin-nam; white copper pipe making by Hwang Yeong-bo; baecheopjang (applying silk or paper mounting on scrolls of calligraphy or painting) by Kim Pyo-young; and reed making by Gu Jin-gap.

Deokhongjeon, once used by Emperor Gojong as a reception room, houses about 70 daily handicrafts, including artworks created by 11 craftspeople using traditional techniques, and pieces that have undergone modern reinterpretations.

Visitors can also enjoy various interactive programs.

A discussion group called "Continuing:” will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8 in the archive hall on the second floor of Dondeokjeon. Participants will listen to various life stories from young cultural heritage makers who are striving to continue and pass down intangible cultural heritage.

Handicraft programs will be held twice a day at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. from Sept 11-16. Visitors can make horsehair hats, metal craftworks, decorative knots and baecheopjang, and try Naju cotton weaving.

Reservations for these programs can be made online from Aug. 20 on a first-come, first-serve basis. The programs are free of charge.

More information is available on KHA's official website (www.kh.or.kr). Those who wish to learn more about the events can call the Intangible Cultural Heritage team of KHA (+82-2-3011-2157).

jane0614@korea.kr

Official poster for the exhibition "The Touch that Connects Time." (KHS)