Hengso Museum in Keimyung University traces the history of Keimyung University as well as the history and culture of Daegu-Gyeongbuk. There are not only exhibitions but also various programs in Hengso Museum. The Gazette will introduce Hengso Museum.
●Hengso Museum
Hengso Museum opened on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Keimyung University on May 20, 2004. The museum has organized research, archaeological expeditions, academic conferences, special exhibitions, and various educational programs since it opened. The museum has three exhibition galleries, including a special exhibition gallery. Two thousand unique artifacts are currently on display. The exhibits include art works from the Upper Paleolithic Stone Age to the Three Kingdoms and folk objects from ancient times to the Joseon Dynasty. Hengso Museum is famous for its excellent collection of 150 folk paintings, some of which are regularly displayed in its special exhibition gallery. The museum is planning not only diverse exhibitions but also culture lectures, field trips, and social education programs.
●Galleries
Gallery 1 consists of the Gallery of the History of Keimyung University and the Gallery of Prehistoric and Proto-Three Kingdoms Culture. In the Gallery of the History of Keimyung University, we can see the history of Keimyung. This gallery is designed to boost students’ pride and to remind them of the university’s spirit. In addition, in the Gallery of Prehistoric and Proto-Three Kingdoms Culture, there are diverse styles of pottery and Liaoning bronze daggers from China.
Gallery 2 has artifacts from the Three Kingdoms period to the Joseon Dynasty. This gallery is called the Gallery for Gaya Objects, Celadons and Porcelain. The gallery displays two different relics each month called “relics of the month.” Special exhibitions on various themes including folk paintings are held regularly. The major themes of the folk painting collections are auspicious animals, longevity symbols, flowers, and birds. These subjects reflect the traditional wishes and humor of the Korean people.
●Cultural Programs and Culture Academy
Hengso Museum has various cultural programs and a Culture Academy that targets not only students but also Daegu citizens. First, there is an experience program called Making a Dano Korean Fan. Dano is a Korean traditional holiday. At Dano, there was a tradition that Koreans gave fans to each other. Students draw a picture on hanji (traditional Korean paper handmade from the mulberry tree) or they cut and glue a folk painting on the paper. After that, they put it on the frame of the fan. This program is popular with students as well as foreign students. In addition, there is a curator experience program. Students can make an artefact card, plan exhibitions, and guide people in person. The Keimyung Culture Tour program consists of music (Adams Chapel), traditional Korean houses (Keimyung Hanhak-chon), art (Keimyung Art Center), and history (Hengso Museum). Students visit each building and get stamps. Many students visit Hengso Museum through this program. They visit the galleries of Hengso Museum and hear an explanation from a guide.
The Culture Academy has introduced the beauty of Korean traditional culture to students since 2006. It has lectures for twelve weeks and 2 cultural fieldtrips. The lectures consist of different themes each year. For example, there have been Korea’s palace story and Joseon Dynasty royal family culture. Students have been taught by the National Museum of Korea’s curator and Jeonbuk Cultural Property Research Institute’s researchers.
●Cooperation and Exchange with Other Institutions
Hengso Museum develops various programs and displays with other institutions. First, the Hanbit Institute of Cultural Properties and the Yeongnam Institute of Cultural Properties sponsor lectures and the cost of the Culture Academy. Second, Kukbo Studies and Culture Institute sponsors programs like cultural field trips. In addition, the Korean Museum Association supports cultural programs like Making a Dano Korean Fan.
●2016 Schedule
In 2016, the new special exhibition is Portraits from the Royal Portrait Hall of the Joseon Dynasty, which has been borrowed from the National Palace Museum of Korea. Students can see the portraits of kings. Hengso Museum will recruit students for the eleventh Culture Academy from March 2, and they are planning new lectures. This year’s subject is Korean fortresses (eupseong). They will also enhance the Curator Experience program by recruiting more students to plan exhibitions. In addition, the museum is planning a variety of cultural programs for students.
Interview with curator Nam Gyung-hyun
1. What is your work in Hengso Museum?
I plan the exhibitions and cultural experience programs. I also manage the programs. In addition, I borrow exhibitions from other museums.
2. After the programs or the Culture Academy, what is the students’ reaction?
Making a Dano Korean Fan is easy, and it is a good present. Therefore, students’ participation is high and their reaction is good. In addition, the participation rate in the Culture Academy is high, and the programs are well received by students. The reason is students can learn through direct experience.
3. How do you promote Hengso Museum?
We promote Hengso Museum’s exhibitions and programs through the Web site. Recently, we started to promote Hengso Museum through SNS. In addition, since August 2015, we have been promoting our programs through the Daegu Office of Education Web site. Many people visit Hengso Museum because of this Web site.
4. Do you have any plans for students?
We are planning more experience programs. Therefore, many students can participate in the programs. We have a plan to exchange exhibitions and invite experts from other museums and institutions.
5. Do you have any words for the Gazette readers?
The museum has a boring image among many students. Therefore, we will try to become more interesting to you by using SNS. Please visit Hengso Museum. I want you to have more interest in cultural programs and special exhibitions.
Hengso Museum has various exhibitions and programs for students. Students can learn about Korean culture and history through the museum. The Gazette recommends you go to Hengso Museum and participate in a cultural program.
