Korean T'alchum

• Masked dance fought to be preserved. It is still fighting to live. 
• Characteristics of Korean Folk Dance
• Spiritual base of respect for nature and respect for freedom of expression. 
• Embodiment of feelings of HAN (deep inner sentiment that is manifested as profound grief or sadness) and SINMYEONG (artistic ecstasy or exhilaration that occurs at final dramatic moment (when tears turn to laughter, darkness to light)
• Self expression 
• Interpret yourself; manifestation of self. 
• Strongly improvisational
• Freedom of time and space
• Excellent device for satire
• Present dramatic confrontation and problems within society. 
• Eliminate gender/class distinctions
• Performance is done in the village, the backyards of homes (MADANG). Can also be westernized in a sort of thrust stage.
• Performances can last up to one hour, an abbreviation of much longer performances which can last up to several hours.
• Call and response -- Audience participation 
• Communal - There is unity between performers and the viewers. 
• Intervene in show. A play for conference and debate
• Puts them in realistic, grounded setting
• Rooted in ancient use to satirize daily life and social problems. 
• Spiritual ceremony of the mask -- Masks are burned (after usage) except in Andong --> Made out of wood. 
• Shape of nose, shape of eyes, wrinkles, small pox, warts
• Symbolic relationship/debauchery/sorrow
• Size of masks affect performances/movements.
• The bride - not happy
• First three years of marriage, they were not allowed to talk about life and could not leave the groom's house. 
• Mouth closed - no speaking, no opinion
• Eyes slim and looking down 
• Bar Maid 
• Mouth small - little speaking, no political say, speak to make living
• Eyes small - 
• Dots of mask 
• Bigger nose --> Exaggerated sexual activity and promiscuity
• Fur mask - More animal than human, depraved. 
• White spots mean leprosy 
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