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> Hot Spot
Bring your inspiration to life at Hongdae Free Market
by admin on 2009-06-04
14225comments
It is 1 o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, people carrying heavy bags in their hands gather in twos and threes in a playground near Hongik University. They spread a piece of cloth on a small table or on the ground and display a variety of items on it. The playground becomes something like a flea market. Soon more people show up and shoppers begin bargaining for the items they like. This is the free-market, not flea-market. It looks like a typical flea market, but there is one big difference. While a flea market is a place where second-hand goods are sold, the free market in the Hongik University area is an art market where people display and sell their artwork. Some of the items on display include hand-stitched dolls, cell phone charms made with painted bottle caps, silver necklaces and matching earrings, and diaries with hand-made covers, to name only a few. All the items put out for sale at the free market are unique hand-made crafts.
Cornucopia of crafts Right next to bottle-lid brooches are accessories made on the spot. Introducing himself as a fashion jewelry designer, the seller opens his toolbox and makes necklaces, pendants, earrings, and the like while selling his wares. Notebooks made with recycled paper, bookends and picture frames by Mimicry (www.mimicry.co.kr) are also on display for sale. At the table next to it, you can have your portrait done. In addition, there are three-dimensional books, business card wallets and pocket books with colorful covers. The list of things you can buy goes on and on.
Art for the environment The free market brings out the artist in you. With permission at the free market office, you can present your works of art that reflects your memories, feelings, and the world of your own.
Music in the market Jazz music is performed by underground musicians at one corner of the market. Underground bands such as Oh Brothers, Mr. Punky, Plastic People, and Sorri, unveil their latest music here. Various artistic and creative programs such as songpyeon making and tasting and scarecrow making are also held. Stroll around the market and you will find so many items too attractive to resist. A demonstration by glass artists, music performances, and hundreds of unique art works make one Saturday too short. By Annabelle Lee
One day is too short
Charlotte and Daniel are from New Caledonia, a part of the French Republic. They are on their way to France to join their friend who is studying in France and getting married soon. As their flight schedule includes a stop in Seoul, they decided to explore Seoul for a week. They participated in the temple stay program at the Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center in Ganghwa Island for the first two days. On the third day in Korea, they ventured out to Seoul by bus that runs between Ganghwa and Sinchon and visited the free market as they were told about it. They say they have fun shopping at the free market where they can buy artistic items at low prices, which is quite different from a flea market. In particular, they were impressed by the accessory stall where the artist makes accessories in any design they want. What's the best about the market, however, is that everything here is the "one and only in the whole world."
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