The Crane Dance, #1 – Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal, Botanical Garden, Montréal, Québec

Busan (Latinized as "Pusan" before 2000) is a port city at the far southeastern corner of the Korean peninsula. Busan is South Korea’s second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of approximately 3.6 million. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the world’s fifth busiest seaport by cargo tonnage.

This sculpture is entitled "Coexistence." It symbolically evokes the principle of the harmony between development and conservation that the city has set as a priority. Through sustainable development, a variety of habitats have been maintained within the city for species such as Japanese cranes. This is one of the four species of cranes that pass through South Korea during one stage in their migration and it is a species that is threatened by human activity. The Demilitarized Zone along the boundary between North and South Korea provides a sanctuary for these birds and for the white-naped crane as well.

The man in traditional Korean costume is performing the Dongnae Crane Dance (Dongnae-Hak-chum) and imitating the crane’s movements, highlighting the interaction between humans and nature in the past. The dancers are costumed all in white, including a tunic with wide sleeves that imitate the crane’s wings. Their black hat evokes the bird’s head. This flowing, poetic dance is regularly performed by Korea’s leading dance companies.

For a description of the art of Mosaiculture and of the Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal competition, please turn to the first photo in this series at:

www.ipernity.com/doc/jonathan.cohen/33872015