Functionality


A Study on Korean Traditional Jar ‘Onggi’

Lee, Boo Yun

Onggi, which could be seen in any Korean residence in the past, is a kind of household good. Its traditional value recognized as a Korean folk material related representing Korean unique folklore and emotional life. However, with its technique, materials, patterns and usage, it is maintaining the longest tradition since the pre-historic age till the modern age. There are two kinds of Onggi making techniques: one is making flat bottom first and building the wall with coils (kwon sang technique), which originates from the pre historic age, and the other is building the wall with slab on the bottom (Chaebaqui technique). Due to the sands and the large grains in the clay, there are tinny air tunnels formed in the wall, and the inside and the outside of Onggi can be connected through the capillary tubes because glass phase is not formed. Those air tunnels helps preserve the temperature in the jar, helps circulation, providing proper amount of air because of active ventilation, and it protects the food against acidification. Another characteristic of Onggi is far infrared rays radiated from the ware.

Onggi can be regarded as a historic data of Korean people.


Date: October 2, 2018, 11:05-11:35 (Tuesday)

Venue: Room 603, NO.161 , Sec, 1 , Zhongshan Rd, Banqiao District , New Taipei City 220

Image credit: Courtesy of artist




About Lee, Boo Yun

Lee, Boo Yun is a professor at Department Applied Art Education, Department of Applied Art, Hanyang University. She received her Ph.D. (1983) from University of Missouri, Columbia. In 1975 at the Korea Design Exhibition, she was the youngest ceramic artist was selected as the selected artist with 3 times successive winning special prizes in 1973, 1974 and 1975. Today she serves as an invited artist and juror for the same event. Lee has exhibited extensively both in Korea and internationally. Exhibitions: 13 solo exhibitions and numerous invited and group exhibitions more than 250.

Image credit: Courtesy of speaker


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