Pictures of the last days

Very important celadon incense burner.

Friends from the conference.

Bimbibap - vegetables, rice, and cheese in hot iron bowl. Soooo good!

The seal I made during class and the postcard we created.

One of many Buddhas on view at the Museum.

Wrapping it up and Packing it up

As I write, I'm packing my belongs, gifts, and paperwork. I didn't imagine I would leave with so much more, not only stuff but insights and a better understanding of people, the arts, and education around the world.

Yesterday, my last full day - we took a trip to the National Museum of Korea. It is the most incredible museum I've ever been in. It seems much larger than the Metropolitan and if you can believe that. We had a docent-led experience of the galleries, we took a education class, had lunch, and of course shopped.

My favorite parts of the visit were the galleries and the seal making class. My docent said something that made me want to cry - in front of a 7th century Korean Buddhist Temple Bell (looks like an 8 foot cup upside-down), he explained the difference between eastern and western bells, in the west you hear bells with your ears and in the east you hear it with your heart (they put off a long, low, moaning like sound).

During the art class we worked to create our own seals, I made my Korean name two characters, combining "Ah" and "Rin" - they were so cool plus we worked under three master stamp makers.

Lunch, was yummy however soon after I became sick. (I later found out in some Kimchi they use shrimp, not a good thing for me) Because of my illness, I couldn't attend the closing ceremony, which I was sad about. I did take a nap and meet up with two Korean friends, Heesuk and Hyunjang, both were previous students at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. So we shopped and took-in sights, enjoyed a night market, and a late dinner. I even tired some street food, including silk worms, which in case you are wondering are totally nasty. I took a cab back to the hotel and promptly fell asleep in it. Getting back to my room, I chatted with Nick and slept until 6 am! Wow!

Now begins the laborious journey of traveling home. This UNESCO conference allowed me to meet with peers working in arts education across the globe, tell the Woodson Art Museum's story, and hopefully the ability to create more cultural exchanges in the future.

I'm extremely grateful.

(Nŏ-mu) kam-sa-ham-ni-da! (너무) 감사합니다!

Day Two - A Visual Perspective II

Here are images from before, during, and after the workshop presentation.

After the talk: Starting to Crash

During the talk.

Perspective of the room, not all seats were filled but we had a very healthy audience (over 350).

Panelists while one is presenting.

Room prior to workshop.

Day Two - A Visual Perspective

This morning I walked to the convention center. Across the street is a working Buddhist Temple, these are some of my photographs from my visit.

Ceiling Decoration: Crane

Buddha

Statue in front of the Buddha.

Hundreds if not thousands of lanterns line various open area spaces surrounding the temples.

The gate to the temple complex, once inside you become unaware of your location in a large city. Honestly, you can't hear it.

Observations and Perspectives

Once again, I find myself awake and at the computer at 4:15 am.

Words can't express yesterday, however this is my highlights reel.

After awaking early and making it onto the first shuttle bus of the day, I met Nick from Philippines and Saria and Dina from Egypt. Nick has ended up to be a great connector at the conference, knowing many participants. Saria and Dina are both professors of art education. Saria, helped start museum education in Egypt. After our shuttle trip to COEX, we checked in and talked shop over coffee before the conference got underway.

On my way into the auditorium, which I then found out is where I'm presenting (it holds well over a thousand seats - ah, no pressure!) I met Nadia, who works at the V&A in London, she oversees their digital media classes for adults, very cool stuff.

We took our seats and were wowed for hours as we met and heard from the general of UNESCO, the first lady of Korea, the Minister of Culture, Tourism, Sports and Arts Education. We also were treated to a multi-media/real performance of various Korean musical instruments and dance. Then we heard from the Keynotes - who presented on creativity and science (looking at Noble Prize winners and their artistic pursuits). We had other working meetings until lunch.

Nadia and I ventured into the underground mall at COEX and enjoyed a lovely lunch (I struggled to use my chopsticks proficiently). We walked around the mall, enjoying the humor of English phrases used, including a cookie called - "Mom's Finger," we laughed and thought it should be "Lady Fingers" or "Mother's Touch." In the afternoon the first workshop I attended was on what art teachers should know and do to be successful practitioners.

Then it was time for the opening dinner, with a cocktail hour, more food than I've ever seen in my life, live performances, a visit from the Prime Minister, and lots of conversation and networking.

I didn't get back to the hotel until 9:45 pm. I'm tired just reading that!

Now, I'll reread for my presentation this afternoon. I hope to post again tomorrow morning. I'm having the time of my life!

Visual Perspectives - Day One

Dance from the southern part of Korea.
Traditional Korean dress, it was most beautiful!
At the Welcome Dinner, we were treated to various cultural dances and music from the different regions of Korea. It was AMAZING!!!
Culture Installation. Participants are invited to write, the world culture, their name, and their countries name. After participation, staffers present you with a gift of Incheon Porcelain. In addition to this, I made a woodblock print, and had the opportunity to make Mulberry Paper.
View from outside my hotel window.

A Travel Marathon

It is 3:45 am (Korean time) and I'm sitting awake at the computer, listening to Seoul waking up.

The trip over was epic; Nick and I woke up at 1:30 am Sunday morning and started our journey to Chicago. My flight to San Francisco was uneventful but my trip to Seoul was, or at least everything that happened before take off. We were delayed over four hours, we deplaned and reboarded - and once we were in the air, it was after 5 pm on Sunday.

The flight to Seoul is about 12 hours, that translates into over 4 movies. I don't think I've been so antsy in my flight. When we landed in Seoul it was after 7 pm on Monday. The Incheon Airport is beautifully modern with understated travertine and dark wood paneling. Getting through the airport requires many times of transportation, a tram, escalators, stairs, walking, elevators ( in lieu of escalators), and the flat take-you-there-faster belts. After successfully making it to passport controls, standing around the luggage carousel, and passing through customs, I made it into the arrivals area of the airport. With the lack of my basic needs met (sleep, access to washing/brushing, and food), I was less than a peach when it came to swimming through the waves of people that flooded this (and as I'm sure to fine out - most of Korea) part of the airport.

I was finally successful locating information from UNESCO, hopping onto a bus (for an hour bus ride into Seoul), and then a taxi before successfully making it to Hotel Ibis, where when I was checking in it must have looking like I was the walking dead.

My room is the size of a shoe-box (but extremely nice), my toilet is a robot (no joke), and the shower is same size as my mom's corner cabinet in her kitchen. Folks we're not in Wausau anymore! But I couldn't be more excited for what the week will bring.

I'm up way too early, my internal clock is off, but I'm excited to get the day going. I have to make it to the conference early as we have pretty tight security to go through.

I'll update when I can, hopefully with photos.

Best - erin

안녕 - Hi!

As I pack up my belongings and prepare to board a plane for a trip halfway around-the-world, it feels surreal.

I'll be presenting at UNESCO's 2nd World Conference on Arts Education in Seoul, South Korea. I'll join over 2,000 global colleagues - I can't wait! I almost feel like a "wedding-crasher," I'll be presenting alongside people from Niger, Malaysia, Brazil, and the Cook Island – then walks in the gal from Mill-waukee (ala mid-1990s Chris Farley in the classic SNL Japanese Gameshow Skit). Needless to say, this will be a trip of a lifetime.

I hope to post my impressions, experiences, and laugh-out-loud stories for your enjoyment as well as an archive for myself and Blake.

Today is my last workday before I leave and I have a lot to do. I hope to update you all soon.

안녕