Photo Exhibition on Modern Heritages

“Journey into Time, Memory of Modern Times”

The Cultural Heritage Administration holds a photo exhibition on the modern heritage under the theme of “Journey into Time, Memory of Modern Times” from November 17^th to 23^rd.

Featuring 30 cultural heritages from modern period that spans from 1876 (the year in which the Treaty of Ganghwa, or Korean-Japanese Treaty of Amity, was signed) to 1950 (the Korean War), the exhibition takes place at Hyehwa subway station (blue line) in Seoul. Hyehwa station has been selected as the exhibition venue due to its large floating population, since the exhibition aims to give the public an opportunity to see the heritages from a new perspective and thereby encourage people’s interest in the conservation of the modern heritage in danger of deterioration or disappearance.

The Registered Cultural Heritage on the photo exhibition includes the Joyang (literally meaning “light of Joseon”) Education Center, a modern education facility established during the Japanese colonial period, in Hyomok-dong, Daegu: the old Engineering Department Building of the Seoul National University, symbolizing tertiary education in Korean modern engineering, in Gongneung-dong, Seoul; the Seungil-gyo Bridge with the reinforced-concrete Rahmen’s arch in the European style, in Cheorwon, Gangwon-do; the water tower which supplied trains with water in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do; the Jangdan-myeon Office bearing the traces of bullets in Paju-gun, Gyeonggi-do; and the funnel of the steam locomotive that was stopped by a bomb during the Korean War.

Also displayed are the photos of the five modern heritages to be designated as the Registered Cultural Heritage: the stone walls of Hangae village, a good match for the traditional Korean house, in Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do; the Byeongyeong village famous for its folk-style walls made of stones and mud in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do; two whistle stops with beautiful surroundings, namely Hwarangdae Station and Dongchon Station; and the caves on the side of the sea cliff of Mt. Songaksan in Jeju, once used by the Japanese military and conveying the sorrows of the time.

Concerning the status of the modern cultural heritage, an official with the Cultural Heritage Administration said, “It is a pity that the modern cultural heritage reflecting 100 years of history and culture are being destroyed in expectation of profits from property development. I hope, this exhibition would give an opportunity for people to change their perspectives on modern heritages and see them as cultural sources for the future.”