Seoul

Vanessa Berlanda on craft

THE PICK UP

Upon arriving in Seoul, Vanessa visited the Leica Store Gangnam in the central district of Gangnam. Here she received her Leica Q and her topic - Craft.

Upon arrival in Seoul, Vanessa visited the Leica Store Gangnam to receive her Leica Q and her topic - Craft.

SEOUL - A TALE OF TWO CITIES

With approximately 10 milion inhabitants, Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a huge metropolis where modern skycrapers, hi-tech subways and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets.

Seoul is a huge metropolis where modern skyscrapers, hi-tech subways, and pop culture meet Buddhist temples, palaces and street markets.

A MODERN METROPOLIS

Seoul has been described as the "most wired city", with a highly advanced technological infrastructure, cutting edge architecture and state-of-the-art Internet connectivity. It is also home to a host of leading IT and electronics businesses.

Seoul has been described as the "most wired city", with a highly advanced technological infrastructure, cutting edge architecture, and state-of-the-art Internet connectivity.

A MODERN METROPOLIS

Seoul has been described as the "most wired city", with a highly advanced technological infrastructure, cutting edge architecture and state-of-the-art Internet connectivity. It is also home to a host of leading IT and electronics businesses.

Seoul has been described as the "most wired city", with a highly advanced technological infrastructure, cutting edge architecture, and state-of-the-art Internet connectivity.

Rooted in tradition

The hi-tech side to Seoul is contrasted by strong ties to its cultural traditions, which can be seen not only at the temples, palaces and street markets, but also in the traditional clothing, art and social etiquette.

The hi-tech side to Seoul is contrasted by strong ties to its cultural traditions, which are visible as much on its streets and places of worship as they are in traditional clothing, art, and social etiquette.

An engaging approach

Vanessa made a conscious effort to reach out and connect with her subjects, hoping to communicate the emotions she felt while engaging with the local craftsmen and women. The emotive feel to her photos is testament to the success she had.

Vanessa connected with her subjects, hoping to communicate the emotions she felt to them. The emotive feel to her photos is a testament to her success.

The Craft

Vanessa Berlanda hit the streets of Seoul to shoot a portrait of the city's thriving craft scene.

insadong

Insadong-gil is the ideal place to experience Korean culture from the past and present, and the street is surrounded by craft stores. Here I found a shop selling Korean brushes, where I met an interesting craftsman. Korean brushes are not only used for drawing but also for calligraphy works. Calligraphy is a craft of forms and shapes, with just the right accordance of dots and lines required to make a perfect work.

Insadong-gil is the ideal place to experience Korean culture in its past and present iteration. Here I met a craftsman selling Korean brushes.

During my days in Seoul I always ended up in stopping in front of street stalls where young Korean boys were preparing Dragon's Beard candy, usually singing during the process. These sweets are actually a hand-made traditional craft from China.

Nevertheless, Dragon's Beard candy soon spread in popularity and became a much-loved regional delicacy in other parts of Asia, such as Korea.

I'd always end up stopping in front of street stalls where Korean boys were preparing Dragon's Beard candy, usually singing during the process.

This ramshackle shop also serves as a workshop. Here I met a mother and daughter, who were making rubber stamps and seals, serving customers at the same time. I started talking to them and the mother was very friendly, while her daughter was very shy.

The mother was very proud of their family business, telling me that her mother also used to work here. She was also very proud that the Queen of England had visited her shop, showing me large picture hanging on the wall that captured the royal visit.

This workshop in shop is run by a mother-daugher duo who make rubber stamps and seals. The mother was very proud of their family business, telling me her mother used to work here as well.

While I was wandering around Insandog-gil, I walked past a shop window and saw an old woman drawing. She looked so concentrated that I didn't want to bother her, so I decided to take a photo from outside. I tried to capture reality for what it was, to represent exactly what my eyes were seeing in that very moment.

While wandering around Insandong-gil I walked past a shop and saw an old woman drawing. Instead of bothering her, I decided to take a picture from the outside.

hongdae

I found this screen-printing workshop while I was wandering around Hongdae, which is situated right in front of Hongik University, well known for its focus on fine arts. The workshop was located at the back of an art gallery where screen-printing works where exhibited.

I wanted to photograph this place and add it to my series because I liked the idea of merging traditional art with something more modern.

hongdae

This screen-printing workshop is situated right in front of Hongik University, at the back of an art gallery. I included it because I like the idea of merging traditional art with something more modern.

I entered Hongdae and its fascinating streets, when I glimpsed a young girl, sitting on the sofa of a tattoo studio. She was practicing a sketch of a skull. She looked so concentrated that I decided to take a first shot from outside before I entered.

She wasn't the owner of the shop but she told me that she usually spends a lot of time there in order to learn from the owner.

I came upon a young girl in a tattoo studio, she was practicing sketching a skull. Though she wasn't the owner she told me that she spends a lot of time in the shop, learning from the owner.

Hongdae was full of surprises for me, walking through the streets I was lucky enough to find some really special places, just like the workshop of this old lady. To enter her workshop I had to go down a narrow stone staircase and I never imagined I would find such a beautiful place.

The atmosphere was so warm and cozy, and the lady was really friendly. She showed me her craft and her handiworks made entirely of leather.

Hongdae was full of surprises, like this old lady’s leather workshop. It's located at the end of a narrow, stone staircase and it felt so warm and cozy. Never would I imagined finding such a beautiful place.

myeong-dong

To understand a city and its culture, it's important to take the time to appreciate and experience its food scene. Street food is very common in Seoul, for example in Myeong-dong. I spent a couple of evenings here because the atmosphere was very warm and full of life.

The streets of Myeong-dong are home to a lot of different kinds of street stalls, selling everything from savory to sweet. It was very difficult to choose what to try first!

myeong-dong

It's important to take the time to appreciate a city's culture by understanding its food scene. Street food is very common in Seoul, particularly in Myeong-dong, where they sell everything.

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Shanghai

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