On the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Austrian-Korean diplomatic relations, Weltmuseum Wien, in collaboration with outstanding Korean artists who created these works in recent years, is showing the exhibition 책거리 Chaekgeori – Our shelves Our selves in three gallery rooms.

In Korea, chaekgeori (Korean: 책거리, translation “books and things”) designates a painted arrangement of books, shelves, various objects, and small treasures. This kind of painting has its origins in the Chinese tradition of collecting things such as the writings of Confucius, scrolls adorned with calligraphy or paintings, ancient ritual vessels, and decorative objects – and in the high esteem accorded them. Also beloved among Chinese collectors were depictions of flowers and animals, such as butterflies, mandarin ducks, carp, cranes, deer, as well as lotus blossoms, peonies, chrysanthemums, peaches, pomegranates, melons, and the citron, Citrus medicus, also known as ‘Buddha’s hand’. These motifs express positive wishes for health, happiness, wealth, and freedom from want. But their depictions are also often playful, inviting their viewers to seek and identify them in the paintings.