"Fallen leaves remind me of the autumn sky over Toruń / a city shattered by artillery fire / like banknotes of the Polish government-in-exile" (from "Autumn Sentiments" by Kim Kwang-kyun)
Works by Kim Kwang-kyun, a pioneer of Korean modernist poetry, will be presented as a multimedia art performance combining music and media art. The Haslla International Arts Festival, Gangneung's premier arts event, will stage the preview performance "Autumn Sentiments: Kim Kwang-kyun" at GS Art Center in Seoul on April 1, ahead of its October opening.
The production drew attention when it premiered at last year's Haslla International Arts Festival. "Haslla" is an ancient name for Gangneung from the Goguryeo and Silla periods, meaning "sun and brightness" or "great sea" in pure Korean.
"Autumn Sentiments" is a comprehensive arts production by composer Choi Woo-jung and director Park Sang-yeon, expanding the poet's restrained verses through music, recitation, typography, and media art.
The performance features typography based on eight of the poet's major works, combined with media art renditions of pieces by artists who exchanged ideas with the poet, including Kim Whanki and Lee Jung-seop. The stage, divided into black and white contrasts, symbolically reveals the inner conflict of a poet torn between his identity as an artist and as a family breadwinner, delivering profound resonance to audiences. Composer Choi Woo-jung explained the creative intent: "I expanded the poet's anguish of 'How can one live believing in poetry?' into the question 'How can one live believing in art?'"
The performance features beloved actress Kim Mi-sook reciting poetry, joined by soprano Lee Myung-ju, bass-baritone Samuel Yun, cellist Song Young-hoon, and pianist Cho Jae-hyuk. Actor Lee Je-hoon participated with a recorded voice reading of "Lu Xun," which opens and closes the work.
The third Haslla International Arts Festival will run for ten days from October 16 to 25 across Gangneung under the theme "Love and Friendship." Performances will be staged at symbolic local venues including Chodang Cathedral, Calvary Clinic, and Gangneung Asan Hospital, centered on Gangneung Art Center.
Artistic Director Cho Jae-hyuk said, "'Autumn Sentiments' best represents the artistic identity that the Haslla International Arts Festival pursues. I hope the emotion that begins in Seoul will continue through to 'Love and Friendship' at the Haslla International Arts Festival this autumn in Gangneung."
Tickets will be available from February 26 through NOL Ticket and the GS Art Center website.