Talchum: Art of the Commoner

Talchum, or traditional Korean masked dance, is a form of folk entertainment originating from the Goryeo Dynasty. Known for its crass humor and encroachment of taboo subjects, the anonymous performances were both a form of relief and protest by and for the common folk, while simultaneously being looked down upon by the noble classes. Now, with the passage of time, what was then considered cheap entertainment has become a carefully preserved cultural asset. This project is an exploration of the distinction we make between high and low art. A distinction that is drawn by factors such as race, economic class, gender, and time; which warp our perspective on the value of a piece, and lead us to ignore or downplay the art made by disenfranchised groups