Hankook Ilbo | The World’s Most Famous Rabbit, Miffy, Has Arrived
Hankook Ilbo introduced the 'Many Mini Miffy' exhibition held at Lotte Gallery Jamsil Avenuel Art Hall in Seoul, covering its three-part structure from Dick Bruna's original artwork to figures reinterpreted by domestic and international artists to collaboration merchandise from 27 fashion brands. The article included a photo of the 'Kim Hyun Jung Mini Me Miffy in Hanbok,' modeled after artist Kim Hyun Jung's hanbok-clad appearance by hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo.
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An exhibition titled 'Many Mini Miffy' is being held at Lotte Gallery's Jamsil Avenuel Art Hall in Seoul, where visitors can see both the original picture-book drawings of the Dutch rabbit Miffy, known for her black eyes and X-shaped mouth, and figures in which Korean artists have reinterpreted Miffy anew.
This traveling celebratory exhibition began in the Netherlands last year to mark Miffy's 60th anniversary, and arrived in Korea by way of Japan.
Every drawing by Dick Bruna (89), the writer and illustrator who created Miffy, features a black outline, painted stroke by stroke with a brush. Her signature character, Miffy, is no exception. Miffy, who first appeared in Bruna's debut picture book 'Miffy' in 1955, remains the most frequently appearing character in his picture book series to this day.
The charm of simplicity — primary colors of red, blue, green, and yellow and extremely minimal lines — offers boundless possibility to the artists who reinterpret it. Artist Han Jem-ma, met recently at the exhibition hall, said, "Miffy doesn't have the intense character presence of Mickey Mouse. Because of that, it can hold whatever the artist's imagination brings to it. Its appeal is that it's like a blank canvas, a living canvas."
The exhibition is organized in three parts. Part one presents 'the history of Miffy' through Bruna's original Miffy designs, books published in Korea, and original memorabilia made in the Netherlands. Part two consists of works in which domestic and international artists reinterpreted Miffy — 22 Miffy figures made by Dutch artists plus 13 more made by Korean artists. Han Jem-ma delicately arranged crosses and nails to create a mother-and-baby Miffy, while sculptor Kim Woo-jin created a Miffy over two meters tall out of pieces of plastic chairs. Metal craft artist Lee Su-mi decorated a Miffy with 99% pure silver and jewels. Designer Kun placed the mouth of his signature giant-toothed logo character 'Sakun' onto Miffy.
Part three presents Miffy dressed in the unique styles of 27 domestic and international fashion brands. This is the first time Miffy has collaborated with fashion brands in Korea. At the artists' request that the exhibition not generate profit, the works themselves are not for sale; instead, Miffy character merchandise made by ten brands will be sold at Lotte Department Store branches. The exhibition continues at Lotte Gallery Busan Gwangbok branch (June 1-28) and Cheongnyangni branch (July 1-24). (02)3213-2606
Reporter Lee Yoon-joo misslee@hankookilbo.com
[Photo captions]
Comp Pro, a furniture company that makes ergonomic desks and chairs, created a Miffy studying at a miniature desk of its own making. Photo courtesy of Lotte Gallery.
Artist Kim Woo-jin presents a Miffy over two meters tall made from pieces of plastic chairs. Photo courtesy of Lotte Gallery.
'Kim Hyun Jung Mini Me Miffy in Hanbok,' modeled by hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo after the hanbok-clad look of artist Kim Hyun Jung, known as an 'idol of the art world.' Photo courtesy of Lotte Gallery.
A Miffy made by installation artist Han Jem-ma. The artist's signature items — nails and crosses — are delicately arranged. Photo courtesy of Lotte Gallery.
Designer Kun applied the mouth of his signature giant-toothed logo character 'Sakun' onto Miffy. Photo courtesy of Lotte Gallery.
A view of the 'Many Mini Miffy' exhibition at Lotte Gallery.