11 o’clock Music Walk: An Architectural Pilgrimage Towards Light

The Gwangju Arts Center’s upcoming performance, 11 o’clock Music Walk, promises to transport audiences to a world of leisure and serenity. Scheduled to take place at the Gwangju Arts Center Small Theater on the 24th, this unique event will be guided by Professor Kim Jong-jin of Konkuk University’s Graduate School of Architecture.

Professor Kim Jong-jin is a renowned architect and writer who weaves together architecture, classical music, space, and people to create a captivating narrative. Through his books, including “The Authenticity of Space,” “The Comfort of Shadows,” and “The Door of the Unknown,” he showcases his exceptional artistic sense, drawing from art, philosophy, literature, music, and psychology.

In this performance, Professor Kim will embark on an architectural pilgrimage towards light, accompanied by the audience. The journey will be set to the tune of classical music, as they explore the silent messages created by the spaces in “The Comfort of Shadows” and the interplay of light and shadows within those spaces.

Part 1: Light of Silence

The first part of the performance, Light of Silence, takes the audience to Le Thoronet Abbey in southern France. This historic monastery, a representative of the Cistercian Order, has inspired countless architects and artists. The simple space within the abbey creates a sense of calm, heavy light, and sound resonance, setting the tone for the architectural and classical stories that follow.

The piece to be performed in this section is ‘Bach, The Art of Fugue, No. 9 Countermelody’, a beautiful and intricate composition that complements the serene atmosphere of the abbey.

Part 2: Light of Art

The second part, Light of Art, transports the audience to the Insel-Hombreu Museum in Germany. This unique museum, with its small pavilion buildings seamlessly integrated into nature and ecology, showcases the beauty of lush surroundings and the interplay of light within the white spaces.

The piece to be performed in this section is ‘Beethoven String Quartet No. 14, 1st movement’, a masterpiece that echoes the feeling of the museum’s paths meeting and diverging.

Part 3: Light of Life

The third part, Light of Life, introduces the Giladry House in Mexico, the final work of Mexican architect Luis Barragán. This stunning example of architecture showcases the movement of light and color, with the colors of the garden, flowers, and trees all following Mexican tradition and nature.

The piece to be performed in this section is ‘Bossa Nova for String Quartet by Haeyoon Kwon’, a vibrant and lively composition that captures the essence of Mexico’s natural beauty.

Part 4: The Light of Rest

The final part, The Light of Rest, takes the audience to the Swedish Woodland Cemetery. This beautiful and pastoral park cemetery, based on Scandinavia’s romantic naturalism, offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere, perfect for contemplating the cycle of life and death.

The piece to be performed in this section is ‘Wilhelm Stenhammar’s String Quartet in F minor, 2nd movement’, a masterpiece by a Swedish composer that embodies the romantic and Nordic sentiments of the cemetery.

The performance will feature a string quartet composed of young local artists, including violinists Hwang Eun-hyul and Kim Ji-min, violaist Kwon Hye-rin, and cellist Jo Eun-gang. Tickets are available for 20,000 won (R seats) and 10,000 won (S seats).