The Egret
A Publication of the Maridon Museum
Fall/Winter 2011
museum. Drs. Kim and Anderson developed a collaboration
for the museum’s foreign film
series. This collaboration served
as the conduit for the Maridon
to receive its first piece of Korean
Art. The painting was presented
to The Maridon Museum on July
18, 2011 by Dr. Kim on behalf of
his sister.
Il-Wol-Oh-Bohng-Doh literally means “Painting of the Sun,
Moon and the Five Peaks.” This
is a popular theme of Korean traditional paintings. Il-Wol-OhBohng-Doh is also referred to
as a Korean folding screen with
the highly stylized and symbolic
landscape painting of the sun,
the moon, and the five peaks. A
screen with this design was traditionally set behind Uh-Jwah,
the king’s royal throne
(continued on page 2)
“Il-Wol-Oh-Bohng-Doh”
“Painting of the Sun, Moon
and the Five Peaks”
(Korean Traditional Folk
Painting)
Artist, Young-Ran Kim (1959- )
was introduced to The Maridon
Museum from across the world
by her brother Song-Hee Kim,
PhD, visiting Professor from
Slippery Rock University. Dr.
Kim met with museum docent,
Dr. Betty Anderson, to visit the
1
in the Joseon (pronounced
Joh-Sun) era (1392-1910). The
painting is divided into three
parts representing heaven,
earth and man. It was believed
that the Il-Wol-Oh-BohngDoh could be complete only
when the king sat in front of
the screen, linking heaven,
earth, and man, thus bringing
harmony to the universe. The
painting is rich in color and
symbolism.
Right to Left: Roxann Booser, Cyndy Sweeney,
Carole Fruehstorfer, Nancy Hile, & Courtney
Ingram
Artist Kim was awarded “Excellent Artist of the Year 2008” by
Korea Traditional Culture and
Art Promotion Association.
Ms. Kim has been receiving
awards for her work in Korean
Hanji Art, Korean Traditional
Folk Painting and Traditional
Painting since 2006.
Left to Right: Museum Director Roxann Booser,
In-ho Kwon (Dr. Kim’s wife), Dr. Song-hee Kim,
& Dr. Betty Anderson
Banjitgori
This sewing box was also handcrafted by Young-Ran Kim. It was
presented to the Maridon Museum along with her painting. The
box is decorated with lotus flowers, honeysuckle, and Taegeuk
patterns. The lotus has been used
as a symbol of purification. The
pattern of Korean honeysuckle,
which is called “indongcho”,
symbolizes the prosperity and
productivity of family because
it easily spreads its vines after
surviving the harsh winter. The
Taegeuk pattern indicates sky,
earth, and humanity.
(Continued on page 8)
2
3
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3
(Continued on page 9)
carvings and artifacts since they
offer a glimpse into the history, religion and culture of the
people.
Betty loves to see visitors’ interest in the collection. It gives her
great joy and satisfaction when
visitors make a “spark” or a special connection to an item.
Betty finds she has many “favorites” (They change from time to
time!) in the Maridon’s collection. They include: the tiny Netsuke of Two Men Playing GO in
a Hollowed-Out Melon, a Japanese ivory carving of an Old Man
With a Rooster, highly-decorated
German porcelain plates and
especially the Painted Pottery
Tang horse. She states: “We’ve
all benefitted from Mary’s passion for Asian art and collecting!
Wouldn’t we all love to have the
ivory Wisteria Maiden displayed
in our own home?”
Dr. Betty Anderson Shares a
Wealth of Knowledge and
Experience at the Maridon
By Donna L. Reeder
Dr. Betty Anderson-Maridon
Museum Education Committee
member, docent, and resource
person- is truly and deeply committed to share the study and
understanding of Asian history
and culture.
As a docent, Betty gets the opportunity to tell the stories of the objects in the collection along with
their significance to the people
who lived at the time they were
created. Betty notes the difference
between “modern” western values
and those of the traditional east.
She likes to stress the traditional
east’s view of man’s relationship
with nature as expressed in the
paintings,
Betty is a native of Rochester,
New York. She was a trained
stewardess based in New York
City where she met her husband,
married and started a family.
Her husband was transferred to
Pittsburgh and the family lived in
Forward Township near
4
Evans City and later in Butler. She
loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren and also
her dog, who now lives with her
son in Johnstown, PA.
Betty received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Master’s
Degree in History, and a Graduate
Certificate in Asian Studies at Pitt.
After that she was employed as the
Assistant to the Director of Asian
Studies at Pitt. While working as
a Teaching Assistant at Carnegie
Mellon she earned a Doctorate in
History in 1990. She also taught at
Butler County Community College and created the Asian program
there.
With great effort Betty speaks and
reads the Chinese language. At
the Maridon’s Chinese New Year
celebrations guests are fascinated
as Betty presents the blessing in
Chinese and then English. She has
a large history and Asian book
collection. Due to down-sizing to
an apartment, Betty has shared
many of these with the museum.
She currently belongs to an Asian
Reading Group at Slippery Rock
University.
Betty has traveled to Mexico, Europe and has made several study
trips to China. She especially
treasures the memory visiting the
port city of Canton (Guangzhou),
crossing the bridge and visiting
the small areas where westerners
could only transact their trades
in certain areas. She also fondly
remembers the New Year’s Eve
Party at Beijing University in
1978 and the Women’s Conference in 1995.
Betty is very grateful for the
special partnership and support
of Slippery Rock faculty members
with the museum. These professors planned, selected and gave
generously of their time to share
their insight when the resoundingly successful Asian Art Films
are shown periodically at the
museum. These excellent films
from Japan, China, Korea, and
India offer an additional, alternative medium for the study and
understanding of Asian history
and culture.
After touring the Maridon Museum with Betty, Dr. Song-Hee
Kim, a visiting SRU professor
who also spoke at the film series,
has been instrumental in bringing two new Korean pieces to
the museum- a Korean painting
called “Irworobongdo” and a
paper-crafted sewing box, both of
which are now on display at the
museum.
(continued on page 9)
5
Kids Korner
Haiku Contest
Winnner
Emily age 10
Kids Help Out at the Maridon
Dazzling Pointed Ice
Shows
Crunching underfoot,
the dazzling silvery light.
Delicate crystals
Boy Scout Troop 6 planted tulips on a blustery
October morning. When the tulips bloom in
the Spring, they will not only look beautiful,
but they will serve as a teaching aid for an
adult program entitled, Tulipomania!
The boys also shared in a docent-lead tour,
and breakfast before heading out to plant the
tulip bulbs.
Thanks boys. You did an awesome job!
6
Mars Girl Scout Troop 20534
Visited the museum to do some
badge work. They learned to
tie obies, did origami, and also
presented the museum with
some promotional posters that
they designed themselves.
Submit your Asian Inspired
Artwork, and we’ll try to put it
in one of our next issues.
Send pictures to:
Maridon Museum
Attn: Courtney
322 N. McKean St.
Butler, PA 16001
Parker Age 13
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon!
Chinese New Year
Coloring Contest
The Maridon would like to invite
children 12 and under to participate in a coloring contest inspired
by the Year of the Dragon! You
may download a copy of the picture from our website, or stop into
the museum and ask for a copy.
Winners will be judged in two age
groups 1-7 & 8-12. The winners
will receive a $15 gift certificate for
the museum’s gift shop. Entries
must be post marked by
January 31, 2012.
Mail your pictures to:
The Maridon Museum
Attn: Coloring Contest
322 N. McKean St.
Butler, PA 16001
Tealey at age 7
7
Banjitgori
(continued from page 2)
8%
of goal
Colored “Hanji” (traditional
Korean paper made of paper
mulberry) is attached twice on
the paper infrastructure with
traditional starch paste before the
patterns are decorated. Lotus,
honeysuckle, and Taegeuk patterns have been drawn and cut
with a knife one by one along the
Goal:
lines and attached on the infra$2.5 million
structure of the box which is also
made of paper. The whole working process usually takes more
than a month. After which diMaridon Endowment Fund Update
luted starch paste is applied seven
“Follow the Dream”
times on the surface and left until
Goal: $2.5 Million over Three Years
dried completely. Finally the box
Percent of Goal Achieved to Date: 8%
is lacquered three times with the
Special thanks to:
glossy and nonglossy transparent
lacquers.
Rev. Donald R. & Clarinda Phillips Jeanes
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Larrick
Dr. Betty Anderson
PNC Foundation
(continued from page 5)
Mr. and Mrs. James Sweeney
Every docent learns from the
other ones. This writer/docent is
no exception. From the time this
writer met Betty when the information classes began in preparation of the museum’s opening to
the present, Betty’s stories, experi2012 Concerts
ences and information continue
Feb. 11 - A Night of Song featuring tenor
to be interesting and fascinating
Michael Forest
as Betty shares her special insight March 10 - A Night of Beginnings, featuring
to explore the Asian history and our Young Artist Competition Winner
culture that nurtures our minds April 14 - A Night of Remembrances, featurand eyes at the Maridon Museum. ing Aaron Patterson, alto saxophone.
8
(Continued from page 3)
they seem to use the pomegranates as
toy balls, one can determine that they are
boys.
The most intriguing object is the ginseng
plant in the center. Ginseng which is very
valuable grows naturally and is consumed
for good health. Looking carefully at the
plant, one can see the face of an old man
which represents longevity.
If one is lucky enough to find ginseng in
the wild, he should harvest it. However,
according to legend, ginseng cannot be
pulled out of the ground, but must be dug
with a shovel. However, if one goes to get
a shovel, the ginseng will run away. Therefore, it must be tied and anchored to the
ground to keep it from escaping.
The grapes that appear in this piece do
not have symbolism for the Chinese.
They were carved to peak the interest of
those in the West to purchase the work. It
was believed that those in the West liked
grapes.
The value of this work is not only in its
lovely appearance and excellence in carving, but in the symbolism — protection
from evil, wealth, abundance, happiness,
peace, and good health. This piece would
be a marvelous wedding present to secure
a wonderful life for the newly weds.
When viewing the jade objects in the
Maridon, look carefully for the symbolism
mentioned in this article.
Article by: Cyndy Sweeney
9
What’s Goin’ On at the Maridon
Adult Lecture Series
· Feng Shui Lecture: Saturday, January 14, 2012 from 10AM to 3PM.
The Maridon welcomes back Fawn Chang to instruct an advanced Feng
Shui workshop. The basics will be reviewed for any first timers, as well
as going more in depth with the information about how to arrange your
home to positively influence your life. Charge for the lecture is $35 per
person, lunch and all materials are included in the class fee. Reservations
are required as space is limited.
•
•
•
•
Doll Festival
Tulipomania
Hanafuda and other flower games
Asian Flower design
Children’s Programs planned for Winter/Spring of 2012:
•
•
•
•
Oshoogatsu –Japanese New Year’s
Setsubun- Bean Festival
Doll Festival Children’s Day
You’re Invited to the
Year of the Dragon!
Join us at the Butler Country Club
for our Annual Chinese New Year Celebration.
5:30 PM to 11 PM February, 18 2012
Tickets are $125 per person
all proceeds benefit the Maridon Museum
An elegant evening of dining, dancing, authentic entertainment, and Chinese auction baskets.
Call for more program details or to be put on our activities flyer mailing
list. 724.282.0123
10
Not Yet a Maridon Member?
There are so many reasons to join:
*Support a unique museum in the Mid-Atlantic region dedicated to connecting Eastern and Western cultures
**Get free admission to the museum and enjoy gift shop discounts.
***Get invitations to opening receptions for exhibitions and
other members-only events.
The Gift Shop at the Maridon Museum
Need a gift for the upcoming holidays, a birthday, anniversary, or just
because? Then stop by the gift shop at the Maridon Museum for unique
items for all ages. We offer jewelry, figurines, children’s books, tea pot
sets, and much more. Remember, members receive a 10% discount on
all purchases. Also, look for coupons on our website at www.maridon.
org. Thank you for shopping with us!
The Egret Publication in Digital Format
There is an effort to limit the number of printed copies of the Egret. This
will reduce expenses greatly. In order to create an email subscription
list, the Maridon needs your help. Please send your email address to
[email protected]. Thank you for your assistance.
The Maridon is open 11 AM to 4 PM
Wednesday through Saturday
The Maridon Museum was a gift to our community by Mrs. Mary Hul-
ton Phillips. The museum evolved from Mrs. Phillips’ wish to share the
beauty of her collection with others in her community but has had the
far reaching effect of drawing visitors from around the world. The museum is asking for your support of the continuing operation of what has
been called a cultural “gem” in Butler. Please mail your contribution to:
The Maridon Museum, 322 N. McKean St., Butler PA 16001.
11
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PERMIT NO. 64