jason mraz!

Jason Mraz Hits Melon-AX This Friday

American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz will perform at the Melon-AX on Friday. / Courtesy of Private Curve By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz is preparing to release his long-awaited third album ``We Sing We Dance We Steal Things'' in May. Fans will get a chance to listen to his single, ``I'm Yours'' and other new material when Mraz hits the stage at the Melon-AX in Seoul, Friday. Even though he's been away from the limelight in the last few years, Mraz has constantly been working on new material. ``There's a lot of stuff I thought would have made it onto the new album `We Sing We Dance We Steal Things' due out in May. But there is so much material I feel is still something that needs time to mature… There's plenty of new stuff coming out this year to keep us busy,'' he said, in an interview with The Korea Times. Mraz, who plays both piano and guitar, started playing the piano when he was only three. ``I first sat down at the piano when I was three and loved it. But it wasn't until I was 7 that I made up my mind. Being a magician was a close second,'' he said. A native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Mraz briefly studied musical theater at New York's American Musical and Dramatic Academy and later moved to San Diego, California. In 2002, he shot to fame with his catchy and witty songs like ``The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," ``Curbside Prophet," and ``Sleep All Day." His debut album ``Waiting for My Rocket to Come'' achieved platinum status in the United States. He followed it up with his second album ``Mr. A-Z" which earned two Grammy Award nominations. Mraz admitted he was not expecting that kind of success for his first album. ``To me, I had already `made it' just by not having a normal job and able to support myself as a musician. To hear my songs on the radio was a big surprise, but not because I worked hard and visited a lot of radio stations. I was surprised that people were actually requesting my songs. I am still humbled by this experience and I say my thank you's everyday, " he said. The 30-year old singer described his music as ``optimistic pop with some slam poetry and humor added to the blend of mellow peace and love.'' When writing music, real people and real events inspire him. ``I write all the time. I think it's important to have a regular practice of spilling out words and being able to say all kinds of things. That way when it's time to write a song, all I have to do is open my mouth and let my body define the melody and my relaxed mind should find the words. I rarely care to study a single topic. Music is best when it writes itself,'' Mraz said. He's already played with a lot of artists and musicians, but someday hopes to play with former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, and collaborating with legendary musicians Willie Nelson and Neil Young. When asked about his current plans, Mraz said: ``my immediate goal is just to stay present everyday. I want to live this life one day at a time and not be in a hurry to be anywhere else other than where I presently am.'' In the long-term, he would love to run a coffee house in San Diego and ``just live a quiet life by the beach and serve espresso.'' Mraz has fond memories of his first trip in Seoul in 2006, when he had a live performance on an EBS show. ``I loved my visit to Seoul and the people we got to hang with. I look forward more of the positive energy and having a shared experience (with the audience) at the show,'' he said. Mraz will perform at the Melon-AX (Gwangnaru Station subway Line 5, exit 2) on March 28. Tickets are 88,000 won. For ticket information in English, send an e-mail to info@privatecurve.com. Visit ticket.interpark.com (Korean only). cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

fashion week

Masculinity Versus Androgyny in Men's Wear

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Seoul Fashion Week kicked off with 14 men's wear designers showcasing their collection for fall and winter 2008, last week. A diverse range of men's wear was spotted on the runway. Rock-and-roll ruled once more, with outlandish metallic-colored jackets and metal-studded leather pants. Androgynous male models wore long and oversized knit sweaters and cardigans that slightly veered towards femininity. There were also masculine looks, such as slim-fitting military-inspired jackets and classic suits. Shades of black, gray and brown dominated the runways, accented with dark yellow, beige, metallic gold and silver colors. Chang Kwang-hyo opened Seoul Fashion Week Monday with his Caruso men's wear line inspired by the ancient tea route from China to Tibet to India. With fake snow falling on the white runway, models wore retro-inspired and minimalist jackets and trousers. There was something quirky about the vests twisted around the model's shoulders. Black was the main theme for Son Sung-keun's Mw collection. He played around with the classic black suit, sending white-faced models wearing a comically oversized jacket, a ruffled cape and a white long-sleeved top with exaggerated ruffles down the runway. The glam rock and punk scene from the 70's and 80's inspired several designers to recreate these exciting looks. Han Seung-soo took inspiration from rock icons David Bowie and Rod Stewart and combined it with the futurism trend. Models with gray mullet hair walked down the runway in wildly printed tops, studded leather pants and metallic-colored motorcycle jackets. Song Hye-myung's designs for Dominic's Way gave a new twist to the punk look, inspired by Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious. Jang Hyun-tae created a retro-inspired collection for Mvio, taking key elements from the 60's and 70's. Her main color is gray, accented with dark yellow, green, purple and blue. There were unexpected twists in her collection, using different textures from wool, cotton and silk. With the theme ``Restoration,'' Park Jong-chul's included the Taeguk pattern in his collection for Slingstone. He said this was in honor of the historical landmark Namdaemun, which burned down last month. For a more masculine look, Lee Young-jun combined outdoor and military looks to create classic pieces for 206 Homme. He created fur-trimmed leather jackets and stylish parkas. Song Zio's collection features contrasting slim and cocoon, mix and match in wool, jersey and leather. Song used delicate details and unstructured silhouette to create a look for an eternally youthful soldier, inspired by Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray. Black, gray and khaki are the main colors, with intense orange and green as accent colors. Xess designer Park Sung-chul used a lot of black, charcoal gray and chocolate brown for his designs, as well as fur and leather jackets. Choi Bum-suk opted for shades of beige and brown for his brand generalidea by Bumsuk. Inspired by a shepherd boy, models wore boxy and baggy tops in soft knits and wool that evoked a very natural feeling. Some designers opted for the androgynous look, with pretty male models in oversized sweaters and cardigans that looked a lot like the trendy pieces favored by women last season. Kim Seo-ryong's models wore knee-length knit sweaters with slim fitting trousers. Kim said he wanted to ``express an asexual feeling from Adonis.'' His collection featured a lot of wool, silk, leather and knits in black, gray and dark brown. For G.I.L. Homme, Seo Eun-gil combined the hard-edged military look with feminine sexuality resulting in an androgynous, sometimes almost feminine look. There were knee-length gray wool coats, capes with fringed edges and a deep green fur vest. Ko Tae-young reinterpreted the classic British look for his brand Beyond Closet. Inspired by an old-fashioned herringbone coat and checkered shirt from his father's closet, Ko transformed these classic patterns into a modern look. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

Experts Believe Seoul Fashion Moving on Right Course

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Seoul Fashion Week may not yet be on the level of Paris, Milan, New York or London, but international fashion experts believe it is headed in the right direction. Jean-Pierre Mocho, president of the French Ready-to-Wear Federation, and Anna Orsini, head of the British Fashion Council International, had high praise for the collections presented by Korean designers during Seoul Fashion Week, which ended Monday. ``With this kind of collection you are building, you are coming close to the right direction. Not today, but I think in two year's time,'' Mocho said. Orsini was also impressed with Korea's fashion and retail market. ``Korea is a very important market for fashion… We have seen Korean multi-brand stores with 11 or 12 floors of international brands. We would like the buyers to be interested in Korean fashion and help Korean fashion reach international level,'' she said. Mocho and Orsini met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who attended designer Moon Young-hee's fashion show Sunday. Seoul is hoping to establish its Fashion Week as the 5th major international fashion collection, after Paris, Milan, New York and London. Seoul Fashion Week, which started in 2000, still faces stiff competition from other Asian fashion capitals like Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Mocho gave his insights on Seoul Fashion Week, and gave suggestions on how to strengthen the link between Seoul and Paris' fashion industries. He suggested establishing a Korean fashion information center in Paris, as well as holding a fashion competition for young Korean designers. ``I think the collection at Seoul Fashion Week is very high level. You have different ways, both high and medium. But the way you are creating this collection is in the right direction. It doesn't matter if the schedule (of Seoul Fashion Week) is good or not. The most important thing is if the collection is good,'' Mocho said. It is also important for Korean designers to incorporate traditional elements in their designs. ``One reason why we travel the world to see fashion is because we want to see the individuality of the country. It is important for designers to use elements of traditional fashion, use traditional fabric and make it as wearable as possible,'' Orsini said. Top fashion designers Lee Young-hee and Lie Sang-bong have taken elements of Korean culture such as hanbok and Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and incorporated it in their designs, which have been recognized abroad. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has identified the high-value fashion industry, as one of the new growth drivers for the economy. Korea is one of the world's top 10 fashion industries, in terms of creativity, design and quality. When asked to describe Seoul's fashion industry, Oh cited the ``strong passion for fashion, and the rich history and culture of Korea as its main characteristics. ``I believe if the city government gives the fashion industry enough support, our fashion industry can be a world-class industry. When the local government aids the industry, it should be indirect, and focused on creating a proper environment for our design industry,'' Oh said. He also expressed support for initiatives to increase exchanges in fashion and culture between Seoul and Paris. ``Paris is no doubt the center of the world's fashion industry. I am proud to say Seoul is the fashion center of Northeast Asia. In this regard, I think it is really important for cities to have this kind of cooperation and exchanges,'' he said. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

 

 

be happy!

How to be Happy, the Scientific Way

An employee counts dollar bills inside a moneychanger’s office in Manila, Tuesday. Contrary to popular belief, money doesn’t buy lasting happiness. In her book, Sonya Lyubomirsky details her scientific research findings on what makes people truly happy, and offers strategies to boost one’s happiness. / Yonhap By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Who doesn't want to become happier? Yet happiness seems to remain an elusive dream for most people, judging from the sheer number of self-help books on the issue. People believe fame, more money, marriage, traveling, a new car, liposuction, designer clothes and so on will make them happy. While these could bring a temporary boost in happiness, these are not the keys to lasting happiness. According to research psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, happiness is not about more money, material things, beauty or fame. In her book ``The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want,'' Lyubomirsky writes about what makes people happy and offers ``happiness strategies" that can potentially change your life. Now before you start rolling your eyes at the mention of ``happiness strategies," this book is not your run-of-the-mill self-help guide. Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Riverside, has been conducting scientific research on happiness for the last 18 years. She has received numerous honors including the 2002 Templeton Positive Psychology Prize and a multi-year grant from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. Lyubomirsky demystifies certain myths such as ``Happiness can be found" and ``Happiness lies in changing our circumstances." It sounds like a cliche, but she notes that happiness cannot be found elsewhere but inside oneself. She also cites research showing there is no link between happiness and material wealth, or happiness and beauty. In fact, materialism is even seen as a strong indicator of unhappiness. Based on her research, Lyubomirsky said 50 percent of happiness is determined by genetics (happiness set point), 10 percent is based on one's life circumstances (whether one is rich or poor, married or divorced, etc.) and 40 percent is based on intentional activity (habits, behavior and thoughts). Lyubomirsky says people should focus their attention on the 40 percent, which is entirely within one's ability to control and change. ``If we observe genuinely happy people, we will find that they do not just sit around being contented. They make things happen. They pursue new understandings, seek new achievements and control their thoughts and feelings. Our intentional, effortful activities have a powerful effect on how happy we are, over and above the effects of our set points and the circumstances that we find ourselves in,'' she said. It helps to read this book with an open mind, and a willingness to take several tests to measure your happiness levels. The tests include the ``Oxford happiness questionnaire'' to determine one's happiness level, and the ``person-activity fit diagnostic'' shows which ``happiness activities'' would work best for each individual. She offers 12 happiness-boosting activities including: expressing gratitude, cultivating optimism, avoiding over-thinking and social comparison, practicing acts of kindness, learning to forgive, savoring life's joys and practicing religion and spirituality. Some of the activities might seem simple enough, like keeping a gratitude journal to write down things you are grateful for; or perform five acts of kindness each week. Yet it is usually the simple things that have a big impact in your life. ``In a nutshell, the fountain of happiness can be found in how you behave, what you think and what goals you set every day of your life. `There is no happiness without action','' Lyubomirsky said. To help people understand the basis for these happiness activities, Lyubomirsky explains the ``five laws'' behind sustainable happiness: positive emotion; optimal timing and variety; social support; motivation, effort and commitment; and habit. ``Everyone's goal should be to turn positive thinking and behavior strategies into habits... Go ahead and forgive, savor, thrive, look on the bright side and count your blessings. Aim to do it unconsciously and automatically,'' she said. The real challenge is how to continue being happy, and this takes a lot of time and effort. ``Becoming lastingly happier demands making some permanent changes that require effort and commitment every day of your life. Pursuing happiness takes work, but consider that this happiness work may be the most rewarding work you'll ever do,'' Lyubomirsky said. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

L'Arku!!!!

L'Arc-en-Ciel to Rock Fans in May

Japanese rock fans in Seoul are eagerly awaiting the return of rockers L'Arc-en-Ciel in May. / Courtesy of Iyescom Entertainment By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular Japanese band L'Arc-en-Ciel will rock Seoul in May, as part of its ``Tour 2008 L'7 Trans Asia via Paris'' world tour. L'Arc-en-Ciel will perform at Olympic Gym, Olympic Park, southern Seoul on May 17. This will be the group's third time in Korea, since holding a concert in Seoul in 2005 and participating in the Pentaport Rock Festival, Incheon last year. L'Arc-en-Ciel, comprised of vocalist and guitarist Hyde, bassist Tetsu, guitarist Ken and drummer Yukihiro, is one of the most popular Japanese rock bands around Asia. The group, whose name means ``the arc in the sky'' or rainbow in French, has sold over 15 million albums and 30 million singles since it was formed in Osaka in 1991. Their first album ``Dune'' topped the indie charts in Japan, and got them noticed by top record label Sony Music, which signed them to a record deal in 1994. L'Arc-en-Ciel achieved a breakthrough in 1996, selling a million copies of their fourth album ``True.'' Their popularity in Asia grew when they simultaneously released two albums ``Ark'' and ``Ray'' in seven Asian countries in 1999. L'Arc-en-Ciel made their American debut when they performed during the Otakon anime convention in Baltimore, Maryland, July 2004. The group gained a following among anime fans, since their music has been used as theme songs for Japanese anime. The following year, the band released ``Awake,'' which included ``Lost Heaven," the closing theme for the Full Metal Alchemist movie. The band went on a Japan-wide ``Awake'' tour, and the ``Asia Live 2005'' tour which took them to Seoul and Shanghai. Band members also have also worked on solo projects. Hyde released several solo albums, starred in movies, and even had a concert in the San Francisco and Anaheim in 2006. Tetsu recorded with another band Creature Creature, while Yukihiro joined Acid Android. Ken also released a solo album ``Speed'' in 2006. L'Arc-en-Ciel's latest album ``Kiss'' was released in November. ``Seventh Heaven'' and ``My Heart Draws a Dream'' topped the Oricon charts. The album, which was available on iTunes in the United States, will also be released in Europe in April. L'Arc-en-Ciel will kick off their world tour on April 19 in Shanghai. The group will make their debut European performance in Paris, and hold concerts in Taipei and Hong Kong. They will wrap up their world tour with concerts at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, and Kyocera Dome in Osaka. Tickets are 99,000 won, 77,000 won, 55,000 won and 44,000 won. For English inquiries, send an e-mail to larc.korea@gmail.com or call Iyescom Entertainment at (02) 783-0114. Visit ticket.interpark.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

ceramics masterpieces

Ceramics Masterpieces in Seoul

The “First Edition” copy of the Portland vase (1790), a reproduction of the Roman cameo-cut glass vase dated 40-50 BC, is from Josiah Wedgwood’s factory in Staffordshire, England. / Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Some of the world's most exquisite and precious ceramics have made the long journey from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London to Seoul. There are 117 ceramic pieces currently on display at the ``Masterpieces in Ceramics from the V&A" at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center Gallery, through June 23. This is a rare opportunity to learn about the history of ceramics, by seeing ancient artifacts from Egypt and China, and the delicate porcelain from Germany, England and France, to modern-day pottery. ``So much of the history of ceramics, is about the East, Korea, Japan and China. We always wanted to do an exhibition in Korea because we have a Korean collection. For no obvious reason, we have never done an exhibition in Korea before. We've done exhibitions in China and Japan, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to start this ceramics exhibition in a major Asian city like Seoul," V&A deputy director Ian Blatchford told The Korea Times. Blatchford said many of the pieces at the exhibition are being shown overseas for the first time. This is only possible since the V&A, one of the world's leading art museums, is currently renovating its ceramics gallery. ``This is our first time here, with 117 pieces from our collection of about 35,000. I mentioned that figure because, one, because we chose with great care, the objects that tell the history of ceramics and many of the objects are of astounding importance. But also I mention the size of the collection to be conceited, because it is the most comprehensive collection of ceramics in the world," Blatchford said. The exhibit is organized chronologically with nine sections, starting with ancient times. Visitors will be greeted by the stunning turquoise-glazed monumental scepter or ``Uas" from ancient Egypt. The scepter, which is dated around 1425 BC, is considered the largest existing piece made of Egyptian faience or crushed quartz. The oldest piece in the exhibit is a three-legged white unglazed earthenware ewer from Shandong province, China, dated 2500 BC. The exhibition shows how the ceramics and pottery tradition around the world are interconnected, particularly the influence of Chinese ceramic tradition in the Middle East and Europe. ``The two things that are less well known is the huge influence of Asian ceramics in the Middle East, and second, is the dramatic impact when Europe learned how to make porcelain. European ceramics lagged behind Asia for many centuries and when they finally discovered the secret (to making porcelain), it changed everything," Blatchford said. There are numerous pieces that will certainly catch the attention of visitors, such as a life-sized goat from the porcelain menagerie commissioned by Augustus the Strong in 1732; porcelain busts of France's King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette; the Alhambra vase and the ``First Edition" copy of the Portland vase by Josiah Wedgwood. Another highlight of the exhibit is Pablo Picasso's ``Artist at His Easel," depicting two scenes of a young artist as a sculptor and an old artist painting at an easel. ``It is not just about objects, but also about trade, civilization and the power of the individual. More than anything, it is really about human invention and ingenuity. I think that is definitely the most inspiring thing you'll take away from the exhibition," Blatchford said. While the exhibition has a few pieces from Korea, Blatchford said the V&A hopes to expand its ceramics collection with pieces from modern Korean artists. ``We are hoping to slightly expand the gallery with some contemporary ceramics. ... We hope, when the exhibition tours, people will get a stronger sense of the Korean tradition because in the West, when they think of ceramics, they think almost entirely of Chinese ceramics," he said. After Seoul, the exhibition will travel to Dusseldorf, Germany; Damascus, Syria; Istanbul, Turkey and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. There are children's workshops on weekdays (except Tuesdays) from April 1 to June 23, and family programs on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is 6,000 won for adults, 5,000 won for middle and high school students and 4,000 won for children ages 4-12. From each ticket, 1,000 won will be donated to UNICEF. The exhibit is open every day except Tuesdays. Visit www.kfcenter.or.kr or www.vakorea.net.

10 things that made me happy

Got tagged by Jennee!

Fresh strawberries

Shopping and brunching with Tess (the chocolate pancakes and salmon brioche at Flying Pan are YUMMY)

Spring shopping loot - a black and white checkered top, a scarf, a blindingly blingy skull ring and a white eyelet top

Getting a 1 GB USB for free  

Going to two concerts with Jennifer and Eunice

Emailing with the Pretties

Giving presents: an iPod for my bro and a necklace for my Mom

Getting my Johnny's fix (Two calendars, photobooks, a DVD and magazines can make me happy but broke...^_^)

Fangirling over my new crack: Kanjani 8 (Eito is LOVE)

Cold Stone ice cream (the calories are worth it

 

 

 

blast from boyband past

Backstreet Boys Still Gets Crowd Screaming

Backstreet Boys kept the crowd screaming for more during their concert at the Olympic Fencing Stadium, southern Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of All Access By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Backstreet Boys, one of the most popular boy bands of all-time, returned to Seoul for a successful concert at the Olympic Fencing Stadium, Saturday evening. On their 16th year as Backstreet Boys, the now four-member group still has what it takes to get a crowd of thousands on its feet and screaming. Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, A. J. McLean and Nick Carter showed a lot of energy during the Seoul concert, which was their last stop on the Asian leg of their ``Unbreakable'' world tour. Once the lights dimmed, the crowd roared with excitement as one by one, the Backstreet Boys appeared on stage. Each member was introduced in the same way a boxer is before a fight. Appropriately enough, they were all wearing satin boxer's robes as they sang ``Larger than Life.'' ``It's great to be back to this beautiful country,'' Dorough said, in between songs. Backstreet Boys performed several ballads and pop-rock songs from their recent albums ``Never Gone'' and ``Unbreakable.'' However, it was apparent the crowd knew more of the songs from the group's earlier albums. To keep things fresh, the Backstreet Boys tweaked many of their hit songs such as ``I Want it That Way,'' ``As Long as You Love Me'' and ``Quit Playing Games (With My Heart).'' It's impossible to expect the Boys to sing and dance like they did in their music videos in the late 1990's, since the members are all in their early 30's except for 28-year old Carter. They still had a few dance moves, but none of their old complicated routines or flashy back-up dancers. Even the stage seemed somewhat bare, with just a few chairs and the band. Only the lighting would change as the group performed different songs. Backstreet Boys were at their best with romantic ballads like ``More than This.'' The Boys seemed pretty laid-back while singing ``Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,'' as they sat around a table, playing poker and smoking cigars. Each member had a chance to do a solo performance. Carter and Littrell have already released their solo albums in the past years, while Dorough and McLean are currently working on theirs. Dorough surprised many with a strong performance of a Latin-inspired number ``She's Like the Sun,'' which will appear on his forthcoming solo album. McLean did a rock song, ``Drive By Love,'' and Carter, who appeared to have some vocal problems, sounded hoarse while also doing a rock number. Littrell sang ``Welcome Home,'' which was a number one hit on the U.S. Christian music charts. Since it was their last concert in Asia, they specially performed an extra song ``Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon.'' Fans surprised the Backstreet Boys by throwing yellow airplanes towards the stage during the ``Inconsolable'' performance. The members looked surprised, but delighted the fans by throwing the airplanes back into the audience and even autographing some of the airplanes. McLean thanked the fans for continuing to support the Backstreet Boys through the years. ``We really liked the paper airplanes. We never had anything like that. It was really cool,'' he said, as the fans cheered. Backstreet Boys ended the concert with their hit ``Shape of My Heart,'' and a promise to be back in Seoul for another concert. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

world without us

Book Imagines World Without Humans

Cattle roam in the foothills of Sierra Nevada, in Cathey’s Valley, Calif., Feb. 4. Journalist Alan Weisman writes about what will happen to Earth if humans disappear, in his book “The World Without Us.” / AP-Yonhap By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Big-budget Hollywood films love to deal with doomsday scenarios, when the very existence of humans are threatened by asteroids, nuclear bombs, incurable deadly viruses and even aliens. But what happens if the wildest Hollywood plot comes true? What happens if humans succumb to a virus and the entire human race suddenly becomes extinct tomorrow? It sounds crazy, but it is not far in the realm of possibility. If animals and plants can become extinct, what makes us think that humans will remain on Earth forever? This is exactly what award-winning journalist Alan Weisman writes about in his thought-provoking book ``The World Without Us.'' He had originally written an essay ``Earth Without People'' for Discovery magazine in 2005, which was selected for the Best American Science Writing 2006. The book expands on Weisman's essay, delving into different scenarios of what the Earth would look like after people are gone. It's a hypothetical look into the future, but everything Weisman writes is based on interviews with scientists and other experts. ``Humans are going extinct eventually. Everything has, so far. It's like death: there's no reason to think we're any different. But life will continue,'' said Doug Irwin, an extinction expert from the Smithsonian's Museum of National History. One of the attention-grabbing sections of the book is when Weisman describes in vivid detail how New York City will disintegrate after people disappear. The subways and tunnels will be flooded with water within a few days, and the buildings, which you would think could last forever, will start crumbling in a few years. It is a sobering thought that even a great city like New York would be reduced to rubble after a few decades. Weisman travels to different parts of the world, in search of places unspoiled by humans. To find an example of a world without people, Weisman went to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, which has been no man's land since 1953. Interestingly, the DMZ has become a refuge for wildlife such as the Asiatic black bear, Eurasian lynx, musk deer, Chinese water deer, yellow-throated marten and the Amur leopard. The Korean Federation for Environmental Movement is mentioned in the book as a group pushing for the preservation of the DMZ as a wildlife sanctuary or national park. Rare red-crowned cranes, of which only 1,500 birds are known to exist, can be found in the DMZ. ``The truth is, if not for the seething hostilities that keep this zone clear, these birds would likely face extinction,'' Weisman said. Plastic garbage is one of the biggest environmental problems today. The disturbing part is, even if humans stop existing and creating plastic, the plastic will still remain, but until when, no one knows. Experts say every bit of plastic that has been manufactured in the world for the last 50 years, except those that have been incinerated, still remains. Over a half-century, total plastic production surpassed 1 billion tons. ``Today's amount of plastic will take hundreds of thousands of years to consume, but eventually it will all biodegrade,'' the book quoted Dr. Anthony Andrady, a senior research scientist at Research Triangle. Sometimes, it is not even about the big things that people should be worried about, but the little things. It was surprising to find out many exfoliating scrubs that are so popular among women today, is a source of non-biodegradable polymer granules. These tiny plastic bits end up in the sea, eaten by birds, fish, other sea creatures, and eventually cause their death. The real danger lies in the petrochemical and nuclear plants around the world. Weisman noted the petrochemical plants, described as ``ticking time bombs,'' will start breaking down once humans are no longer there to run the machines. Even more disturbing is the fate of 441 nuclear plants operating on Earth. If every human were to disappear on Earth, Weisman noted that nuclear plants would briefly run on autopilot until each one overheated and spilled radioactive waste into the air and water. This would be like the Chernobyl nuclear disaster all over again, except multiplied 441 times. Would anything man made last the next few thousands, or even millions, of years? Experts interviewed by Weisman said the Chunnel, the enormous undersea tunnel connecting France and England; bronze and plastic are likely to survive thousands, if not millions of years. In writing a book about science, Weisman avoids using too many technical terms. Instead, he engages the reader in a conversational tone. While the future looks dark for humans, he still injects a bit of hope for the world without people. After you finish reading how much damage humans have inflicted on Earth, you might even think that Earth would fare much better without humans. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

botero & warhol

Botero, Warhol's Works Shown in Seoul

American pop artist Andy Warhol's iconic portraits of Chinese leader Mao Zedong and Hollywood screen legend Marilyn Monroe can be seen at the Opera Gallery Seoul through March 15. / Courtesy of Opera Gallery By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The works of Colombian master artist Fernando Botero and American pop artist Andy Warhol are being shown together in a special exhibition at the Opera Gallery in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. The special exhibition will give viewers a chance to compare and contrast the two aritsts' works from a social and historical context. On display are 20 works by Warhol and 15 Botero paintings and sculptures. Opera Gallery curator Park Eun-jin said this is the first time since 1997 that Botero's works have been shown in Korea. She also noted Warhol's immense popularity in Korea, as seen with numerous exhibitions and even advertisements featuring his Pop Art. Botero is a neo-figurative artist who has been described as the ``most Colombian of Colombian artists.'' He was born in Medellin in 1932, and majored in Fine Arts at Medellin University. He later moved to Spain, then France and Italy, where his distinctive style caught the art world's attention. Viewers can see the depth and scale of Botero's works from his small sculptures to the massive, one-ton sculpture, ``Reclining Woman.'' As with his sculptures, Botero's colorful paintings show how he plays with exaggerated sizes and proportions of the figures. It also brings to mind elements of South American traditional folk art. The ``Woman with Green Dress'' (1992), ``Street'' (1998) and ``Reclining Nude with Book'' (1997) feature his trademark round, if not obese-looking, people. Critics have suggested Botero uses these exaggerated figures as a form of satire. However, Botero explained: ``An artist is attracted to certain kinds of form without knowing why. You adopt a position intuitively; only later do you attempt to rationalize or even justify it.'' Even if Warhol's works are already well known in Korea, there are still a few pieces which will pique the interest of art buffs. The ``Three Portraits of Ingrid Bergman,'' feature different sides to the enigmatic Swedish actress. The portraits show Bergman in a '40s studio shot, as Ilsa in ``Casablanca'' and as a nun in ``The Bells of St. Mary.'' Park said it is hard to put together all three portraits in sequential order. A portfolio of 10 screen prints of ``Mao,'' featuring the Chinese leader Mao Zedong is also at the exhibit. There is a smattering of diamond dust covering the surface of ``Superman'' and ``Mickey Mouse,'' making them sparkle. Warhol's lesser-known portraits are also seen at the exhibit, such as ``Kimiko'' and ``Saint Apollonia.'' ``Kimiko" is a print of a Japanese woman in soothing blue and green colors. It is also rare to have two ``Saint Apollonia'' portraits, almost mirror images of each other except one is red and the other is yellow. Saint Apollonia, the patroness of dentists, was tortured by having all her teeth pulled out. The portrait shows her holding a clamp with a tooth. The Botero and Warhol exhibit runs through March 15. Call (02) 3446-0070 or visit www.operagallery.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

sparkling pandas

Swarovski Shows Limited Edition Pandas

Pandas, designed by Heinz Tabertshofer, are the first crystal figurines from the Endangered Wildlife series 2008-2010. / Courtesy of Swarovski By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Swarovski is turning the spotlight on endangered species, by introducing a limited edition crystal series featuring endangered wildlife. The first collection features pandas designed by Heinz Tabertshofer. Tabertshofer, who was in Seoul last week to promote the Trilogy Endangered Wildlife series 2008-2010, said it is important to protect the environment and save the wildlife. In an interview with The Korea Times, Tabertshofer said he was always been interested in nature and animals ever since he was a child. His parents, who both worked for Swarovski, also gave him crystals to play with, while he was growing up. His love for nature and crystals is probably what makes the Austrian-born designer the perfect person to design Swarovski's exquisite crystal animals. Tabertshofer has worked for Swarovski for the past 30 years, starting out as an apprentice. He worked at the technical department, and 10 years ago, he was assigned to the design department. His first design was a crystal Siamese fighting fish. His passion for creating crystal animals clearly shows. Tabertshofer said the design process involves a lot of research, observing the animals in the zoo and making detailed sketches, and eventually precise models. For the 2008 series, the panda was chosen since it is regularly associated with the threat of extinction. While designing the panda figurines, Tabertshofer said he went to a zoo in Vienna to closely observe the pandas' movements. But he didn't need much time to observe the pandas, whose daily routine consists of eating and sleeping. ``Pandas are very unique and endangered animals. They're one of the rarest animals in the world,'' he said. ``It wasn't possible to go to China, so I went to the Vienna zoo where they had some pandas. I conducted my research, started reading books and watching videos. But the important thing was to see the animals in real life, and talk with the scientists there.'' Tabertshofer succeeded in capturing the essence of the pandas in crystal. He designed an exquisite mother and cub panda set, a single cub, a bamboo window ornament (bamboo represents the panda's food), a giant panda named Ching Ching and a bracelet with panda and bamboo charms. All these are only available this year to members of the Swarovski Crystal Society, a collector's club. The mother and cub panda set consists of two figurines in faceted crystal, created in clear and black diamond crystal with jet crystal eyes. The mother panda holds a bamboo stalk, while the cub looks playful. Ching Ching, which means Water Green in Cantonese, is a six-inch tall crystal figurine. As rare as the giant panda it represents, only 33 pieces were made around the world. In Korea, Ching Ching was auctioned off for $9,900, and the proceeds were donated to charity. With every purchase of a piece from the Swarovski Crystal Society Endangered Wildlife Trilogy, Swarovski will make a contribution to the company's environmental projects. The Swarovski Water School, founded in Austria in 1999, aims to develop children's awareness of environmental issues especially that of water. This year, the theme is ``Living Yangtze,'' which seeks to help the management of water resources and educate people living in selected towns along the Yangtze River, the longest river in China. Tabertshofer said the Endangered Wildlife Trilogy will be focused on Africa next year, and India in 2010. When asked which animals will be featured in the rest of the trilogy, he declined to identify them. But there's a small hint in the title plaque for the entire 2008-2010 trilogy, which features three sets of tiny animal paw prints. The first set is the panda's paw prints, but anyone can try guessing the two other unnamed set of paw prints. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr