While not just an expat thing, the Richard Gere photo exhibition offers a glimpse into Tibet and elsewhere in the Far East. I personally hadn’t known the man as anything other than a movie star, but apparently his photography has won him some fame as well.

Define ‘pilgrim’: A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons, or a traveller (from the Latin peregrinus). The exhibit featured ample Korean and excellent English signs, along with a liberal picture-taking policy (er, there was no policy). The spiritual journey became clear enough in time.

Wait, what? This isn’t Tibet. As it turns out, Mikhail Baryshnikov makes an appearance as well, courtesy of photographer Annie Leibovitz. One section of the ‘Tibet’ exhibit was dedicated to displaying photographs donated to the cause – a couple dozen well-known photographers in all.

The Legend of Virginity, by Helmut Newton. The generousity notwithstanding, there’s zero connection between the two sides – something I wish the curators could have made clearer.

Here we are – the other half of the space allows for some reasonably well-lit shots.

Boy, Mongolia, by Richard Gere (1995). While the picture is peaceful, the visible noise (even in this picture of a picture) reminds us of the exhibit’s uncorrected nature. Those used to the Photoshop era and digital photography in all its sharpness might want to look away.

Dharmamisala Nun, 1996. Not sure who decided the tiny picture belonged in the huge frame with more matting than photograph.

One of my favorites – Shekar Monastary and Valley, 1993.

Mother and Child in the Jokhang, Lhasa, Tibet, 1993. I don’t know whether this is considered fine art, an expression of the confusion and turmoil in the region, or just a bad shot. Either way, the blur and noise made me desire just a little more thought put into the exhibit.

A picture blown up to fill an entire wall. Good thing extreme contrast doesn’t get too noisy.

Is that a hanbok or an apron?

I’m sorry to disappoint photography fans, but even a casual photo buff will note the blur and grain in these exhibitions. Some of it is understandable – the titles of some imply an after-midnight photo – while some might be attributable to the equipment used. We are talking about a film camera, although no mention was made about which kind of camera or film he used. Blur, when used to emphasize a subject, is a beautiful way of de-emphasizing a different depth. As grain goes, it too adds a gritty touch to a scene, except that too many pictures would have benefitted from a few modem touches.

If you’re a fan of the man or the man’s mission, it’s probably worth the 10,000 won admission to enjoy some pictures of an exotic region. If you appreciate the region and want to show your support, fair enough.

The exhibit is at the Seoul Arts Center (near Nambu Bus Terminal in Seoul) until July 24,2011. Admission 10,000 won for adults.

Ratings (out of 5 taeguks): How do I rate destinations?
Ease to arrive:

Foreigner-friendly:

Convenience facilities:

Worth the visit:

© Chris Backe – 2011
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