[HanCinema's Digest] Photography and Art

Quartz reviews a new book about graphic designs in North Korea, the medal designs for the upcoming Winter Paralympics are revealed, Seoul lights up for the holiday season, and see (but don't eat) Jae Yong Kim beautiful ceramic donuts.

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"THE GRAPHIC ART OF EVERYDAY ITEMS IN NORTH KOREA REVEALS THE INDIVIDUALITY HIDING IN A TOTALITARIAN STATE"

Is there a sense of individuality lurking within the graphic designs of some of North Korea's daily items? In this piece on Quartzy, Isabella Steger reviews Nicholas Bonner's new book, "Made in North Korea: Graphics From Everyday Life in The DPRK". In it, you'll find "a vast collection of ephemera from the secretive state showcasing designs on everything from cigarette boxes to tinned fish to cosmetics". According to Steger, "Bonner has sought, through the graphics and design of objects, to show that beauty, creativity, and individuality too proliferate there".

...READ ON QUARTZY

"Inspired by Korean culture, medals for PyeongChang Winter Paralympics unveiled"

The Winter Games in PyeongChang are just around the corner as the country prepares for the world's biggest celebration of sporting excellence. Recently, the organisers unveiled the medal designs for the Paralympics; like the design for the Winter Olympics, the Winter Paralympic medals were inspired by Korean culture and hangul, the Korean alphabet. According to Lee Hee-beom, a lead organizer of the competition, the new medals "are a symbol of equality, creativity, culture and passion".

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"[Eye Plus] Seoul night with bright lights"

It's that time of year where Seoul truly comes alive with all the colourful lights and seasonal decorations that now adorn its energetic streets. Myeong-dong, in particular, "features countless colourful lights" to celebrate this festive time of year. The beautiful lights are, naturally, popular with locals and tourists alike, and in this post on The Korea Herald, you can catch a glimpse of how Korea's capital is being lit up for the holidays. "In this well-deserved holiday season, brave the cold and step out into the streets with the loved ones and enjoy the lights, hoping for a bright 2018".

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"Ceramic Donuts by Jae Yong Kim"

South Korean sculptor Jae Yang Kim has an ongoing series of beautiful ceramic donuts. In this portfolio on Design Collector, you'll find many examples of Kim's incredibly detailed works of art. "Each individual donut has invariably read to me as a small painting; color, pattern and physicality have been the ultimate procedure for my personal expression". Homer Simpson, eat your heart out!

...READ ON DESIGN COLLECTOR