2007 Canadian Participation

In October 2007, the Canadian Crafts Federation / Fédération canadienne des métiers d’art participated in the Cheongju International Craft Biennale.  There, we publicly displayed the internationally renowned “All About Alberta” exhibition, organized by the Alberta Crafts Council as a preview of Canadian work.  The show was displayed at the main location of the Biennale in the ‘Art & Deco House’, a building designed and built specifically for the 2007 Biennale which features exhibitions and sales from around the world. “All About Alberta” was an appropriate choice, as the work within reflected a sample of Canadian history, values and symbols. Feedback from the public who viewed the exhibition was described to us through the two most common comments: “wow” and “is it for sale?” – a most pleasing response which encompasses the visual impact the show had on the Korean public, and the very real market opportunity the Biennale holds.

During the opening week of the Biennale, three delegates representing the CCF/FCMA attended the opening ceremonies to evaluate the potential for 2009, and to begin planning for the guest country pavilion. CCF/FCMA Administrative Director, Maegen Black, and Crafts Association of British Columbia Executive Director, Yvonne Chui, were invited guests of the organizing committee. Thanks to an Audience and Market Development Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Craft Council Executive Director and “All About Alberta” curator, Tom McFall, was also able to attend.

Because the CCF/FCMA had a physical presence at the 2007 Biennale, both through our exhibition and the attendance of the delegation, we were able to amplify the impact our activities had. A Canadian Day of celebrations was organized, increasing media attention not only for the Canadian presence but for the Biennale as a whole. ‘Canadian Crafts Day’ became a large presentation of speeches accompanied by an exchange of gifts and an extensive opening ceremony for the “All About Alberta” exhibition. Held in the beautiful outdoor Art & Deco House garden, the reception was well attended by officials, representatives and the media. The Deputy Mayor of Cheongju City and Maegen Black of the CCF/FCMA both delivered speeches which touched on the value of cultural exchange. Gifts of Canadian and Korean contemporary fine craft were exchanged between the city of Cheongju, the Korean Craft Museum, the Organizing Committee of the Biennale and the CCF/FCMA. A lavish ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, as were a curator’s tour of the exhibition, and a Canadian fibre arts demonstration by another Canadian attendee, CABC president (and exhibitor in the Biennale’s International Competition) Jane Kenyon.

During the course of the 2007 trip, which spanned five days in Cheongju and three days in Seoul, the Canadian delegates took full advantage of the visitation. Every possible opportunity was taken to meet, network and engage with the Biennale, event staff and other international delegates on trade missions of their own. Meetings were held with the Exhibition Team Chief Manager, Joo Hee Jeon, and the General Manager, Gwang Sub Byeun, as well as the 2007 guest country curators, Taddeo Zuccheri of the Italian school (scuola del vetro abate zanetti) and Yu Mi Koh with the Biennale staff.

Countless connections were made through networking opportunities at dinners, openings, the international symposium, and during social events organized by the Biennale staff. The Canadian delegation encountered interest and insight from representatives of the Korean Craft Museum, the Cheongju Early Printing Museum, Korean Craft Promotion Foundation, EWHA Woman’s University, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea; as well as international organizations from Italy, Japan, Australia, Bali, the Netherlands, and the United States. The delegation was also able to meet with four market and cultural representatives as the Canadian Embassy in Seoul. All our meetings were extremely productive, opened doors to more opportunities, and increased the level of positive outcome from the exploratory mission.

The Biennale has huge potential to showcase Canadian culture on the international stage, and to attract interest in Canada as a cultural destination for travel, education and original, contemporary craft and design. We look forward to our continued work with the Biennale in 2009, 2010 and beyond!