[Weekender] Matisse is having a moment in S. Korea

When “Henri Matisse: Life and Pleasure” — a retrospective exhibition of Matisse held in Seoul — was drawing to an finish in April, hundreds of holiday makers got here to see authentic works by the pioneering French painter and sculptor.

“Individuals continued to come back to the exhibition regardless of the unfold of the omicron variant, which started in February. Some 5,000 guests had been approaching a single day towards the tip. It acquired an excessive amount of consideration and love,” mentioned director Search engine optimization Hyung-won at Gaudium Associates, the cultural content material firm behind the exhibition. 

The truth is, Matisse’s recognition has been rising right here for a while.

On the web, many web sites are promoting posters, postcards and canvases of works by Matisse. A fast search on the internet portal Naver reveals there are over 22,000 gadgets presently being offered alongside key phrases resembling “cafe,” “inside design” and “lounge.”

Born in 1869, the artist is seen because the chief of a daring artwork motion often called Fauvism, derived from the French time period “les Fauves”which implies “the wild beasts.” His selection of sturdy colours and intuitive use of paint invited some harsh criticisms from artwork critics of his time.

Almost 70 years after his dying, nonetheless, his works are gaining mainstream recognition in South Korea. His work are typically discovered hung at unbiased cafes. Once you seek for the hashtag #HenriMatisse in Korean on Instagram, over 52,000 posts come up. This isn’t far behind the 85,000 posts for the Korean hashtag #Picasso. Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was Matisse’s rival and buddy.

On-line searches for Matisse additionally loved a surge in recognition in recent times. Almost seven instances extra folks looked for the artist in November final 12 months than three years in the past, in response to Naver Knowledge Lab, Naver’s complete key phrase analysis instrument.

‘Precisely what folks need’

As a insurgent throughout his time who overcame bodily limitations, it’s no surprise Matisse is being appreciated at present, particularly by younger folks, mentioned artwork critic Ahn Hyun-jung.

“He tried to interrupt away from traditions and appeared for brand spanking new issues, and continued to develop and progress. In a way, it matches the sentiment of millennials and Era Z who’re the leaders of our instances,” she mentioned.

“His works may need been surprising to folks in his day and age. 100 years on, it’s precisely what folks need.”

Earlier this 12 months, comfort retailer chain 7-Eleven of Korea’s retail big Lotte Group launched a Henri Matisse-inspired wine set consisting of three bottles along with his works printed on the labels.

The three wines had been launched individually beginning in September final 12 months and had offered some 100,000 bottles in whole as of March, the corporate mentioned.

“The sensuous labels are designed to enchantment to younger customers,” Tune Seung-bae, a wine merchandiser at 7-Eleven mentioned. The wine bottles can double as inside design gadgets, the official added.

Amid nice demand from the retail trade for collaborations with pop artwork and avenue artwork, the intuitive works of Matisse are an ideal match, Ahn defined.

“Once you have a look at current industrial artwork collaborations, it needs to be simple to recollect when become a emblem or a label. To impress a industrial response, it needs to be one thing you see and immediately feels intuitive. Matisse was a pioneer on this area,” she added.

Although Matisse is thought for his use of daring colours, Search engine optimization of Gaudium Associates underscored that it’s Matisse’s extra understated works in his later years which are getting extra consideration on Instagram and at stylish cafes. Amongst these later works are linear drawings like “Nadia” from 1948, that includes minimal strains, and cut-outs with easy colours.

Matisse was extra appreciated in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Search engine optimization defined, as his fashionable, nonchalant and trendy later works have consoled many individuals throughout a tricky time.

“I feel that his dream of making artwork like a ‘good armchair’ have gained the hearts of individuals at present,” he mentioned.

Amid rising demand, “Henri Matisse: Life and Pleasure” can be held once more in Busan between July 9 and Oct. 31 on the Busan Cultural Heart, Search engine optimization added.

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)