This Week’s Exhibitions: Community Celebrations of Birth and Debates in Conservation Science
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Two special exhibitions in Seoul explore social meanings around birth and the ethical questions of preserving cultural treasures. At the National Folk Museum of Korea, “Birth, Everyone’s Feast” gathers folk objects and records from 14 countries about pregnancy, childbirth and childcare. A highlighted item, the “Cheon-in Cheon-ja-mun” (a book of 1,000 single Chinese characters contributed by acquaintances for a baby’s first birthday table), illustrates how childbirth and caregiving have been celebrated as communal acts. The show runs until May 10. At the National Palace Museum of Korea, “RE:BORN — Conservation Science Connecting Time” presents conservation lab achievements, including scientifically dated royal seals called “eobo” (royal seals) and a jade bead under restoration. The exhibition raises questions—should artifacts be preserved exactly as found or fully restored to an imagined original?—emphasizing ongoing value judgments in conservation. Runs until Feb 1.
