A Special Exhibition: JIKJI Opens the Golden Future

- Special Exhibition: JIKJI Opens the Golden Future

- Date: October 13 - October 27, 2023

- Opening Reception: Friday, October 13, 2023 / 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

*Opening Register:Opening Register

- Gallery Open Hour: Monday - Friday, 10:00AM - 5:00PM

- Location: KCCLA Art Gallery (2nd Floor) / 5505 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

- Exhibition Organizer/Host: Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles, Cheongju Early Printing Museum / Cultural Heritage Administration, Chungcheongbuk-do, Cheongju City

- More information: Tammy Cho at 323-936-3014

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA), in partnership with The Cheongju Early Printing Museum, proudly presents a special exhibition: JIKJI Opens the Golden Future, which will open with the reception at the Art Gallery of the Korean Cultural Center(located at 5505 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036) on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 6:00p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This special exhibition is celebrating California's "Jikji Day," which proclaims that “Jikji,” the world’s oldest existing metal-printed book.

Jikji's official name is Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche Yojeol (Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests' Zen Teachings). Jikji was printed in 1377 at the Heungdeok Temple in the central city of Cheongju during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). It was 78 years before Gutenberg’s 42-line Bible was printed in Europe.

UNESCO confirmed Jikji as the world’s oldest metal-printed book in 2001 and included it in the UNESCO Memory of the World registry that year.

This exhibition highlights how the movable metal type technology continued on from Goryeo to Joseon and how this technology contributed to the advances of Korean book culture and intellectual heritage, thereby reflecting on the legacy the Jikji has bequeathed to us.

During the exhibition opening on Friday, October 13, Master Im In-ho, a national treasure in movable metal type making(Geumsok Hwaljajang), and Master Hong Jong-jin, recognized for his expertise in art mounting(Baecheipjang), will be showcasing their amazing skills in front of the audience.

The exhibition is open to the public, and it will run until October 27th, 2023.