Chapter 78 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum
A few days after Irina returned to Poland, I received a call from her.
"Do you want to use my paintings as educational material?"
-Yes, I mentioned your paintings to Professor Yeji from the piano department.
Isn't Yeji a Korean female name? I didn't know it was also a name in Poland. Irina's voice came through the phone.
-I told the professor that the ten files you gave me are time art pieces expressing Chopin's rubato, and I played them in front of her. She was so moved by the simultaneous appreciation of the artwork and performance that she proposed to use them immediately as teaching materials at the Warsaw Conservatory.
Is this story applicable to someone other than Irina?
It was about studying and painting Irina, not Chopin.
Of course, it's not a bad story from my perspective, but the education of Chopin, a master who needs to be constantly reinterpreted, shouldn't be distorted into Irina's performance because of me.
Just because she's currently considered the best interpreter of Chopin doesn't mean she will be the only one in the future.
I calmly conveyed these thoughts. Irina listened seriously and agreed.
-That's true, Ban. You have a deep thought process. If it were me, I would have accepted the offer right away.
Honestly, it's a pity.
An artist's work being used as teaching material at the Warsaw Conservatory?
That's enough to make headlines with hundreds of trucks of articles.
But I'd rather not become a villain of the century who creates irreversible mistakes due to my greed.
Think about it.
What if, in about 100 years, it's revealed that Chopin's music, which has been interpreted until now, was misinterpreted?
And what if it turns out that I was the cause of that?
All the students growing up from 100 years from now will point fingers at my name.
So, the painting, which was not drawn from studying Chopin's music, should not become teaching material.
"I'm also regretful, but I think it's right to decline, Irina. Please thank them for the offer."
-Yes, Ban.
"Are you still in Poland?"
-Yes, I'm leaving for the United States the day after tomorrow.
"Is it for a tour again?"
-Yes, I've been re-invited to Carnegie Hall.
Wow, Carnegie Hall. And a re-invitation at that. It's my wish to go there and see a performance. She really is in a different league.
"Have a great performance in the U.S. and always take care of your health, Irina."
-Can I call you from time to time?
"Are you going to contact me occasionally?"
-Is that not okay?
Why wouldn't it be? Knowing a celebrity like you would be an honor for my family.
"No, that's great, haha. Call me anytime."
After a pleasant conversation with Irina, I hung up the phone. Although the call was enjoyable, my mind is a bit cluttered now. Putting my phone in my pocket, I looked up and saw the sign in front of the building.
Today's Exhibition: Toulouse-Lautrec Moulin Rouge.
When did this change?
Last time, it said they were preparing for the next exhibition. While I was away for a few weeks, the exhibit had completely changed. Unlike the case with Teacher Mucha, I couldn't see the last appearance of Klimt.
In his later years, Klimt spent his life with Emilie Flge, his sister-in-law and wife of his deceased brother. When you search for him on the internet, you can find a photo of Klimt in his later years, wearing a sack-like dress, standing in a garden with Emilie.
Although she was his brother's wife, Klimt loved her dearly and left many paintings of her. In fact, the strange clothes in the photo were designed by Emilie. Despite being in an era when women were undervalued, she was a talented individual who created her own brand and influenced the fashion industry.
Klimt and Emilie exchanged numerous letters and postcards for over 30 years.
These contained not only stories about each other but also discussions about work, and Emilie's opinions and advice. Klimt, who found writing difficult, sent her hundreds of postcards and letters. On some days, he sent as many as eight postcards.
However, after Klimt's death, Emilie burned most of these letters. Klimt disliked revealing his private life and carefully hid it, and it seems Emilie understood this aspect of him.
Klimt died of Spanish flu after living as a hemiplegic due to a stroke, and his last will is still famous.
'Bring Emilie to me!'
Love sought until the moment of death.
I wanted to see this last appearance of Klimt. It's a real pity.
I looked up at the sign again.
"Toulouse-Lautrec."
He's certainly a famous painter, but he wasn't one of my favorites. Like all art, preferences in painting vary according to taste. Even as a painter, one tends to have preferred artists. That's why I'm not particularly interested in this.
Well, it should be fine.
The reason I visited this art museum in Jongno today wasn't to see the exhibition anyway.
I looked around the building.
There's a kiosk for ticketing in the corridor on the first floor.
Apart from the stairs going up to the second floor and down to the basement, there's nothing special on the first floor.
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