BURL BURLINGAME / BBURLINGAME@STARBULLETIN.COM A mannequin shows off a Korean bride's colorful traditional dress.

Museum’s ‘Tiger’ exhibit
lacks claws

Experiencing Korean culture
Center celebrates Koreans’ isle life

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By Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.com

Bishop Museum's partnership with the Centennial Committee of Korean Immigration to the United States has resulted in the new exhibit "Century of the Tiger: A Centennial Celebration of Korean Americans 1903-2003," running through March 16.

There's no apparent connection to the CCKIUS' book of the same title (review, page 23), other than some images. Honoring the first Korean immigrants to Hawaii, the exhibit features the usual historic photographs, artifacts and educational activities that make up the user-friendly, state-of-the-art in museum display-ology these days.

COURTESY BISHOP MUSEUM Pictures hung on a faux plantation wall are actually flat-screen computer monitors cycling though a slide show of historic images.

The exhibit is heavy on reading signage and the tactile appreciation of finely crafted objects. It's more of a dull, safe celebration of culture than an examination of history. One clever touch is a flat-screen computer monitor hung on a wall like a picture, cycling through images of picture brides and family groupings.

There will be special Saturday events focusing on Korean customs. There's also a Bishop Museum Family Sunday on Feb. 9 and a "Friday Night Sleepover" on Feb. 21.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95; special rates for youth, residents, seniors and military. Bishop Museum Association members are free. Information: 847-3511 and www.bishopmuseum.org.

COURTESY BISHOP MUSEUM This Korean "tiger kite" is a typical plaything.

COURTESY BISHOP MUSEUM The perforated bowls and vases are examples of Punch'ong ceramics.

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