A April Contemplative Trip to Gwangyang

Published 13 Apr.2022 11:01(KST)

Facing the Inner Self at Okryongsa Camellia Forest, Marosan Fortress, and Jeonnam Provincial Museum of Art

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do proposed a contemplative journey to Gwangyang for modern people who rely on searching before thinking in their busy daily lives.

The city recommended tranquil spaces such as the Oknyeongsa Camellia Forest and Marosan Fortress, where one can deepen their thoughts, as well as the Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art, where the exhibition "Human, Seven Questions" is being held.

The Oknyeongsa Camellia Forest is a place where thick camellia trees, each over a thousand years old, densely surround the remains of Oknyeongsa Temple, embodying the aesthetics of emptiness and fullness.

The camellia trees, planted by Seongak Guksa Doseon when he renovated Oknyeongsa to invigorate the earth's energy, form a lush forest that blooms red flowers in April, continuing the breath of a millennium.

Sitting on the temple site, which is completely empty without even a single stone pagoda guarding the ruins, one feels comfort as warm sunlight and clear breeze fill the space abundantly.

Although it is difficult to expect the modest blossoms of previous years due to drought and cold damage, the ancient wisdom and energy that dreamed of harmony and coexistence with nature through pibo pungsu (geomantic principles) are further amplified.

Marosan Fortress, designated as Historic Site No. 492, is an ancient fortress built during the Baekje period and used until the Unified Silla period, located about 3 km east of Gwangyang-eup, the original downtown area.

At an altitude of 208.9 meters, Marosan Fortress is a teomoe-style mountain fortress that preserves the saddle-shaped terrain with high edges and a low center, surrounding the summit with fortress walls.

Walking slowly around the fortress while examining traces of watchtowers, building sites, wells, and roof tiles inscribed with names such as 馬老 (Maro) and 軍易官 (Gunyeokgwan) is like a time travel to the past.

It is perfect for soothing a tired soul in the wind that casually fills the open fortress and for enjoying "nolmyeong" (relaxing and doing nothing) while gazing blankly at the beautifully colored sunset.

It is a beautiful paradox that one can recall and comfort the daily life, which was like a war, in the fortress where fierce battles were fought with heightened senses to enemy movements.

The Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art, where the traveling exhibition "Human, Seven Questions" from the Leeum is being held, is also a good space to step out of oneself and objectively look inward.

Visitors can have an opportunity to contemplate human values fiercely pursued by world masters such as Alberto Giacometti’s "Large Woman III," George Segal’s "Rush Hour," Andy Warhol’s "Forty-Five Golden Marilyns," and Joanna Rajkowska’s "My Father Never Touched Me Like This."

Kim Seongsu, head of the Tourism Division, said, “Gwangyang has thoughtful spaces like the Oknyeongsa Camellia Forest and Marosan Fortress where one can step out of the speed and competition-driven self and immerse in contemplation, as well as high-quality exhibitions at the Jeollanam-do Provincial Museum of Art that pose intimate questions.”

He added, “Starting from why T.S. Eliot, the British poet, cried out in his 1922 poem 'The Waste Land' that ‘April is the cruelest month,’ we propose a contemplative April trip to Gwangyang to look at oneself with unfamiliar eyes.”