March Issue

Here it is, folks. The March issue is now available online (click the cover below) and in print all over Daegu. Visit our locations page to see where you can pick up a hard copy for yourself.

This Weekend: Fully Booked

This weekend is shaping up to be a memorable one for art and music lovers in Daegu.

This Saturday, February 15^th, come out to Gallery [t.] where we will be holding a reception to spotlight Irish photographer and November 2013 [b]racket artist Aoife Casey. Selections from Aoife’s collection The Natural Beauty Project Seoul 2013, as well as other recent works from the artist (see above) will be on display and available for purchase from February 15^th to May 8^th.

This will be Aoife’s first time in Daegu, and we couldn’t be happier to have her! Come give her a warm welcome and start your Saturday night right at Gallery [t.] with some coffee, art, and conversation.

Sunday will bring you downtown again, this time to Social Market where Japanese ambient artists Hakobune and Haruhisa Tanaka will be stopping by for the Daegu leg of their Korean tour. Check out the facebook event to read more about their individual musical styles. Tickets are 20,000 at the door and well worth the price.

Don’t remember how to get to Gallery [t.] or Social Market? Check out the maps below.

See you all out and about this weekend!

Gallery [t.] presents Aoife Casey
February 15^th @ 7PM

Hakobune/Haruhisa Tanaka
February 16^th @ 7PM
Social Market

-Lisa Highfill

An Emotional King Sejong: One of 52 Moments

Matt Ferguson’s art caught our attention back in 2012; so much so that we decided to make it our cover art for the very first issue of [b]racket. Since then, Matt has moved from Korea, but his collaboration with Moment Watches suggests that his time in the ROK made a lasting impression. His unique and simplistic watch design depicts King Sejong, the beloved Korean historical figure responsible for the creation of Hangul, with a tear running down his face.

Matt created this work to illustrate that while Korea’s hasty rise in industry and economic power have proven fruitful for the nation, it has come at a cost to the country’s traditional culture and values. He believes that King Sejong might be happy to see Korea as successful as it has become. However, he might also be saddened by what it took out of the Korean people and environment to get here. Matt’s work is a reminder of the line that Korea walks between their love of tradition, and their drive to be a leader in the modern global economy.

While it might be a somewhat serious message, it’s a seriously awesome-looking watch. Click here to check out the timepiece that serves as Week 12 for Moment Watches’ “Year of 52 Moments” campaign.

Sidenote: If you were planning on coming to Gallery [t.] this Saturday, Aoife Casey’s reception has been postponed until February 15th. So we’ll see you all NEXT weekend!

– Lisa Highfill

February Issue

Hey, our first issue of the year is out and it is a great one. WordPress won’t allow us to embed it any longer. But not to worry. You can click on the cover art below to view our latest issue.

Ever Wonder What [b]racket Sounds Like?

Seoul radio station TBS gave [b]racket some air time last week. Our multiple hat-wearing support team member Julian voiced the motivations, intentions and hopes for our magazine to the public. Take a listen to the radio spots below to hear the whole story of the origins of [b]racket, and why we treat treat the magazine as a “portable gallery” for all of our readers to enjoy. You can also learn a bit more about a few of Daegu’s smaller art gems such as The Pollack bookstore and Gallery [t.]

As Julian mentions in the following clips, we’ve “published 14 issues, held art shows for artists at Keimyung University, found support from Daegu Gyeoungbuk Design Center (DGDC), and started a gallery space” all in just a little over a year. Not bad for a little Daegu art mag, huh?

All of this cannot be mentioned without a huge, echoing THANK YOU to everyone who has picked up an issue of [b]racket, attended our shows at Keimyung University’s Black Gallery or Gallery [t.], contributed their art or writing or time, or advertised with us. There are no self-made men (or magazines), and we know that without all of you art lovers we wouldn’t have come nearly this far.

 

– Lisa Highfill

A Pleasant (And Crafty) Surprise On Bus Street

As you might have picked up by now, us [b]racket folk love to promote artists living in Korea. We recently stumbled upon a store in downtown Daegu that is doing just that. Social Market opened its doors less than two months ago and is full of handmade crafts and unique pieces from artists throughout Korea. As I was browsing today I was kicking myself for not making it to this place before Christmas! I spotted loads of small pieces that would have made perfect gifts. The work for sale includes small art prints, handmade jewelry and bags, pottery, cards, and countless other handcrafted items. I recommend ordering a coffee at the counter and moseying upstairs to the loft to flip through their selection of art books and magazines.

I picked up two small prints from artist Gwon Soojeong for (get ready for it) 3,000 won (WHAT?? I thought it was a mistake. It was not.) I had to stop myself from buying a SICK handmade bag because I have too many bags–but if we’re being totally honest I’ll go back and get it this weekend because can you really have too many awesome bags?

In addition to selling unique items Social Market is also holding crafting events throughout the month of January. Check out the schedule of classes and directions below.

Making A Grain Hand Warmer by Titisae
Jan. 11th (Sat) @ 2PM
12,000won (including material fee)

Making A Dream Catcher by Yudali
Jan. 18th (Sat) @ 6PM
30,000won (including material fee with free drinks)

Making ‘Wish’ Bracelets by Hohogangi
Jan. 25th (Sat) @ 3PM
20,000won (including material fee for a pair of bracelets with free drinks)

How to get there:
From Exit 3 of Jungangro Station on Line 1, go one block straight (on bus street) and you’ll see Dong-a pharmacy (동아약국). Social Market is right next to the pharmacy.

– Lisa Highfill

Cartoonist Kevin Kilgore Lightens The Expat Mood

Do all expats in Korea eventually turn in to grumpy kimchi-hating perpetual eye-rollers? It can sometimes feel that way. [b]racket artist Kevin Kilgore (featured in the September issue) recently had something to say about the cure for his own bad attitude in the Korea Herald this week.

“It’s so easy to start complaining about life in Korea, especially when you’ve been here for a while,” he told the Herald. “So, I figured I’m here for a reason, and I must like it here, so why not draw about that?”

And so he did. Things I Love About Korea is one of Kilgore’s ongoing projects. The name says it all; he is compiling a  list of things he loves about living in the ROK and draws comics to illustrate his points. I found myself agreeing with a lot of “loves” on his list, such as Korea’s delicious and inexpensive food or all the “freebies” that come heavily taped to products you buy at the grocery store. While scrolling though some of Kilgore’s comics I even began to feel a bit sappy and sentimental about those interactions and occurrences that we can only experience here in Korea. Then I remembered how much people spit in the street and got a hold of myself.

But remember to focus on the positives, folks, and keep up with all the Korean things Kevin loves (you probably love ’em too) at his blog.

Check out the article at the Korea Herald which features Kilgore and a number of other artists who have experienced and create comics based on expat life in the country we love, and admittedly, sometimes love to hate.

– Lisa Highfill