Introducing the photographic works of Korea’s dancheong 

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The artist’s works connect from a German priest’s visit to Korea about 100 years ago. The missionary’s name was Archabbot Norbert Weber, head of the Benedictine Congregation of Saint Ottilien Archabbey. Archabbot Weber visited Korea twice on missions in 1911 and 1925. On both occasions, he was captivated by Korea’s beautiful nature, unique culture, and honest people. Based on his experiences he wrote a book introducing Korea’s nature, culture, and people, and also filmed an hour-long documentary called <In the Land of the Morning Calm>. 

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In the film, Archabbot Weber described Korea’s Buddhist temples as “beautiful and noble places”. Upon seeing the architecture of the Buddhist sanctuaries, he shared, “It is like magic, the countless pieces of red wood put together immaculately, without error, in such a charming way.” In particular, the words Archabbot Weber used to describe the colorful clothes adorning Korean children leave a deep impression. “Koreans are people who know how to take the freshness of unknown wild flowers, trees and grass into clothes to dress their children. These clothes are as alluring as spring flowers. … All of this is as harmonious as deep red amidst the color blue. … The fresh energy and joy of spring have been enchanted to display a colorful feast.”  

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The artist’s works capture what Archabbot Weber said, ‘the harmony of the red amidst the blue’. The harmony of red and blue is a long-time tradition of Korean art. In Korea, it is referred to as ‘dancheong’, which means ‘the harmony of red and blue’. In traditional Korean wooden architecture, dancheong colors were painted on noble buildings such as palaces and Buddhist temples. Dancheong colors center around 5 colors: blue, red, yellow, white, and black. In traditional wooden architecture, noble lotus flowers, vines full of vitality, trees, sacred animals, and sublime symbolic worlds of religious teachings come together to form the feast that is dancheong. Its colors and patterns are incredibly sacred, subtle and wonderful. 

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For over 20 years, the artist has captured the world of dancheong in traditional Korean architecture. Korea’s world of dancheong has been compiled into photographs. In the artist’s works, the essence of what Archabbot Weber said 100 years ago, “the feast of the harmony of the red amidst the blue” that stems from the honest hearts of Koreans, can be observed.