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Art for Life
That is until when, in 1992, he left everything behind to study
abroad in Europe. Seong confesses that he was full of conceit,
having achieved so much at an early age. “Music was all I knew;
it was my life ... But one day, I met God. Everything changed after
that.” During his studies in Paris, the young musician learned of
an organization named Emmaüs, led by a priest named Abbe
Pierre. Through the charitable work of the group, Seong came to
realize that art was not only fun, but that it could be used to create
happiness in others as well. He learned that to spread joy, one
must share and live among those in society who are in need. He
came to regret the years spent enjoying his talents selfishly, and
instead wanted to give to others. Seong’s own “festive life” started
when he decided to share and use his talents for his neighbors.
The cafe now holds two concerts every Tuesday and Saturday;
a busy schedule that has the calendar booked through 2012.
January through March of this year will showcase jazz, March to
June will present classical music, July will return to jazz, and
August will present 15 th and 16 th century music. Though this year
is filled with Western music, the upcoming year will have traditional
Korean performances featuring instruments such as the
gayageum byeongchang, geomungo and haegeum accompanied by
dances. Film festivals and a myriad of events are also scheduled.
Performance profits are donated to the impoverished and others
in need. The philanthropic couple has helped foreign women living
in Korea who have no way to maintain their livelihood obtain
Korean citizenship, and has sponsored five orphaned minors
every year for the last three years, by giving them 1 million won
each month.
“Art for Life” does not stop at helping others materially. The
pair also help children learn and gain a better understanding of the
arts. Seong buys the paintings the children make at 5,000 won
(around US$4.50) per piece and hangs them in the cafe. He
hopes to teach children that art is not free, but that it is a relationship
of exchange and growth. “Children draw very well. After listening
to music, we ask the children to draw their impressions and
we get such unique paintings filled with their infinite imagination.
These paintings are worth more than any piece of art in the professional
world.” The paintings Seong has collected over the years
from children are enough to cover all the walls of his cafe.
Another method to expand a sense of community is to give visitors
a chance to write poems. Providing people with the opportunity
to recite verse about subjects which they never had a chance to
express serves as a moving catharsis. Through this process Seong
has grown close to his patrons, and once received a letter he will
never forget. One woman, after arguing with her husband, wrote
him a letter after deciding to take her own life. By the time Seong
received the letter the woman had already passed away, but in her
final moments she knew she could reach out to someone, and was
not alone. Seong once again realized, upon reading the letter, the
importance of connecting emotionally to others.
After this incident, “Art for Life” started couples’ art therapy
classes. The class “Ieum (connection)” helps estranged married
couples re-establish a close bond. The intimate and raw emotions
of the meetings have melted even the coldest of hearts, from
wealthy business people to busy celebrities who are often
detached from the lives of others.
24
KOREA
FEBRUARY
2010