Photos offer glimpse of Asia
Jean Oh
The Korea Herald
Publication Date : 11-08-2008



For those who do not have the cash or time to fly out this summer, take a trip to the Unesco Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding's 'Dreaming Kitchen - Flavour of Asia' photo exhibition. There, visitors are given the opportunity to travel to remote parts of Asia through the works of 11 photographers.
Taken over the course of two years, the photos are intended to give Koreans insight into these nations and to promote cultural exchange.

"The exhibition simply shows how Asians live today," said the Centre's director Kang Dai-geun.

"Let's talk about life via the kitchen," he added, explaining the focus on the food cultures of various Asian countries.

Divided into four sections, the exhibition documents the kitchens, dining customs, farming cultures and street foods of Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan.

In addition to delving into Asian cuisine, the show also explores the lives of ethnic minority groups in Bhutan, Indonesia, Burma, the Philippines and Thailand.

And, as a special treat for kids, a corner is devoted to showcasing pictures taken by children in the Philippines and Bhutan during photography workshops.

Not only is this an educational exhibit; it offers glimpses of places untouched by industrialisation - worlds that are just a few hours away.

Gold wheat fields stretch on for miles. Delicately layered rice paddies are terraced on mountain sides. And two little Mongolian boys, rosy-cheeked and petulant, carry bowls heaped with squares of goat cheese to their neighbours.

For a brief moment, Seoulites are transported. They are invited to dine with Sri Lankan monks and Indian families. They can watch women bake flatbread, sift rice, and sit surrounded by pigs tethered and ready for slaughter.

You can watch a small child grin up into a cloud of smoke, seeming to believe in its cleansing powers. Or observe throngs of Buddhist nuns listening to a sermon.

With all eyes on Beijing, it is easy to forget about all the other Asian countries and their people. But with this exhibit, we are brought one step closer to the diverse beauty of this region.

To take this experience one step further, the Asia-Pacific Centre has planned a series of special events. Four Asian culture days will take place at the gallery.

On August 12, the Philippines' ambassador will discuss life and culture in his country. On August 16, the Sri Lankan ambassador's wife will come to cook. August 19 and August 23 will be India and Cambodia days, respectively.

Visitors can also meet with the photographers, including famed Korean photographer Park Jong-woo, throughout August. In addition, they can try on traditional clothes from the featured countries and post their photos at kitchen.unescoapceiu.org to win a special prize.

The exhibition runs through August 27. Admission and all scheduled events are free. For more information, call (02) 774-3956 (Ext. 104) or go to www.unescoapceiu.org