A Special Art Stage - 2026 Greenland Korean Festival

[Moon Jar: A Vessel That Holds the Heart] – Artist Han Ji-hye

The moon jar (dalhangari) is one of the most distinctive forms of late Joseon white porcelain, created by joining two hemispheres into a single, unified vessel. To me, however, the moon jar is far more than a traditional ceramic form. It is an artistic symbol that expresses, perhaps better than any other object, the aesthetic sensibility and philosophy of Korea.

Within its gently asymmetrical curves and generous silhouette lives the uniquely Korean appreciation for yeobaek—the beauty of empty space—and a quiet, embracing warmth. In that fullness, nature and humanity, time and space, come together in harmony. This, I believe, is the heart of Korean aesthetics.

I think of the moon jar not simply as traditional pottery, but as a warm vessel that holds the human heart and connects us to one another. Through this Korean Festival, I hope to share not only the beauty of Korean ceramic tradition, but also the inclusive spirit and tender sensibility that Korean culture carries within it.

The moon jar is an empty vessel, yet it is also a space that holds memory, emotion, and the stories of our lives. Within its quiet fullness, I believe there is a power that gently bridges different cultures and generations. As an immigrant and an artist living far from my homeland, I have placed inside the moon jar my own memories of home, my longing, and the new life I continue to shape in unfamiliar soil. Round but never perfectly so, the moon jar mirrors our own lives—imperfect, yet capable of understanding and embracing one another.

Through this exhibition, I hope some viewers will encounter Korean tradition and aesthetics in a fresh way, while others may find a quiet moment of comfort and connection. May the moon jar become a gentle vessel that draws together different cultures and the people who carry them.

— Artist Han Ji-hye

[Onggi: The Earth's Philosophy of Breathing and Emptying] – Artist Kim Yeon-soo

A Humble Beauty That Holds the Texture of the Earth

Onggi does not draw the eye with vivid color or elaborate ornament. Instead, it carries within itself the very texture of the soil—earth gathered from mountains and fields. The coarse grain that flows across its surface and the deep brown of its glaze are the colors of nature itself, almost untouched by human refinement. This unpretentious quality offers the viewer a sense of ease, free from tension. Rather than smooth, perfect symmetry, the gently distorted shape born in the heat of the kiln becomes, in itself, a small piece of nature.

A Philosophy of Coexistence: The Breathing Vessel

What makes onggi truly remarkable lies in its tiny "breathing pores." The grains of sand within the clay form invisible openings that hold a quiet, living energy. These pores are smaller than water molecules but larger than air molecules, allowing the vessel to exchange air continuously with the outside world, keeping its contents from spoiling.

This is more than a technical marvel. It reflects a deeply Korean philosophy of coexistence—one that does not sever the inside from the outside, but instead harmonizes with the surrounding world, purifying itself through gentle exchange. The way onggi expels toxins and preserves life echoes the Korean spirit of care: a desire to nurture and benefit others.

The Aesthetics of Waiting and Fermentation

Onggi does not reveal its full beauty the moment it is finished. Its true value emerges only when something is placed inside and time begins to flow. Soybean paste, soy sauce, and kimchi held within onggi slowly ripen, shaped by the temperature and breezes of each season. Onggi never rushes. It simply stays in its place, patiently, allowing time to draw out flavor.

This "aesthetic of waiting" reminds us, in an age of constant acceleration, of the quiet value of stillness and reflection.

Revisiting the Spirit of Onggi on the Soil of New Hampshire

To touch the unfamiliar earth of New Hampshire and feel the breath of onggi is not simply an act of reviving the past. It is the work of holding firmly to our roots—as onggi does—while remaining open to the world around us, letting our lives ferment and deepen through connection.

A single, humble piece of onggi carries within it both the strength of having endured fierce fire and the maternal warmth of the earth, which embraces all things without distinction. Through this workshop, I hope you will feel with your own hands the philosophy of emptying and filling, and the quiet, profound life that onggi holds within its simple form.

We are not merely shaping vessels. We are borrowing the heart of the clay to gently shape the inner life within ourselves.

— Artist Kim Yeon-soo