Silla History Gallery at the Gyeongju National Museum Reopened after Major Renovation

CURRENT

by LEE DONGGWAN Associate Curator, Gyeongju National Museum

On the sixteenth day of the sixth month in the year of Imsin (552 or 612) two men jointly record this oath. We swear before Heaven that henceforth for three years we shall maintain the way of loyalty and that no negligence shall occur. Should this oath be violated, we vow we shall be subjected to Heaven’s great punishment. Should the country be unsettled and a great chaotic age ensue, we vow to perform by all means the way of loyalty.

from Monument with Inscription of Hwarang’s Oath made in the year of Imsin

Exhibition Hall 3 of the Silla History Gallery

From December 8, 2020. Gyeongju National Museum

The three-year renovation of the Gyeongju National Museum began in 2018 with Exhibition Hall 2, which sheds light on “Silla, the Land of Gold.” The next year, Exhibition Hall 1, which deals with the early period of the Silla Kingdom, was revamped, followed in 2020 by Exhibition Hall 3, which covers the unification of the Korean Peninsula and the blossoming of the Unified Silla Kingdom. The massive overhaul entailed the installation of earthquake-resistant systems and improvement of the display viewing environment. The Silla History Gallery was reopened on December 8 of last year.

The renewed Silla History Gallery is now a refined and elegant cultural space where visitors can come for respite from their tedious daily routines and relaxation in a comfortable setting. The mazelike exhibition space was replaced by 4-metertall glass display cases to maximize the feeling of unrestricted openness and establish an ambience that is sensationally stimulating.

The central corridor connecting the exhibition halls inside the Silla History Gallery now boasts a simple and modern interior decoration inspired by the look of Korean traditional houses, called hanok, and Silla earthenware. Notably, multiple glass panes have been installed in place of an entranceway that look out on the museum’s central courtyard and offer a fine view of Gyeongju Namsan Mountain in the distance. The outside scene is drawn indoors to heighten the sense of the calmness in which to observe the important cultural artifacts from Silla Kingdom that are strategically arrayed about the space. As a result, the museum’s unique qualities stand out, and it has been transformed into a symbolic space for relaxation.

Originally, two separate spaces, Exhibition Halls 3 and 4, were dedicated to the processes of Silla’s power centralization and the Three Kingdoms’ unification as well as to the Unified Silla culture. The renovation merged these areas into a single area named Exhibition Hall 3, making the information easier to understand and its delivery more consistent. The latest research results and data on recent excavations were carefully selected to augment the exhibition, making it more meaningful and attractive. The first half of the overall exhibition now covers how Silla’s royal authority was strengthened, neighboring states were subjugated, and the Korean Peninsula was ultimately unified. Importantly, the Silla Monument in Jungseong-ri, Pohang (National Treasure No. 318), has been put on permanent display for the first time, providing a look at how the Silla bureaucracy was structured and how the central and local governments were connected. Various earthenware pieces and epigraphs on display help to round out the story of how Silla continued to expand its territory, annexing Geumgwangaya, Daegaya, and the Hangang River basin.

The second half of the exhibition introduces Unified Silla culture, which reached new heights after the political situation stabilized and royal authority was consolidated. Visitors can see and easily grasp the overall cultural landscape from displays of the Silla royal palace and royal capital organizational process as well as clothes and accessories introduced from the Tang Dynasty, China. A sub-theme exhibit tells the story of how Buddhism gained official religion status after the martyrdom of the monk Ichadon d. 528 and how funerary practices were simplified. In addition, the contents of the Silla Art Gallery, which had been in the Kukeun Collection, were relocated inside Exhibition Hall 3 of the Silla History Gallery, where some 1200 cultural heritage including two national treasures and four treasures are now on display. The late Dr. Lee Yang-sun 1916–1999 , pen name Kukeun, wished to share the beauty of Korea’s cultural heritage with the public, and this facility is designed to bring his lofty ambition back into the spotlight.

A display of the Silla Monument in Jungseong-ri, Pohang designated as National Treasure No. 318

Roof-end Tile with Human Face Design

Silla Kingdom, 7th century / Clay / D. 11.5 cm / Treasure No. 2010

Monument with Inscription of Hwarang’s Oath

Silla Kingdom, 552 or 612 / Stone / H. 32.0 cm, W. 12.3 cm, T. 4.6 cm / Treasure No. 1411

Burial Urns with Green Glaze

Unified Silla Kingdom, 8th century / Ceramics / Left work: H. 39.0 cm, D. 19.0 cm (mouth), D. 20.7 cm (bottom), Right work: H. 13.4 cm, D. 9.2 cm (mouth), D. 8.7 cm (bottom) / Treasure No. 2028

Kukeun Collection including two national treasures and four treasures relocated inside Exhibition Hall 3

The exhibits have been encased in anti-reflection glass (visible light penetration ratio of 99%) on all sides to enhance the viewing experience. This material virtually eliminates light glimmer or mirror-like reflection, unlike general-purpose glass (88% visible light penetration for 1cm thickness) or lowiron glass (91% visible light penetration for 1cm thickness). In addition, the interior lighting has been entirely replaced with the latest LED equipment, optimized for museum displays to deliver higher visitor engagement. At the same time, certain artifacts such as stele are presented in the open air, removing the glass barrier and bringing the visitors closer to the artifacts.

An earthquake struck the Gyeongju area in 2016, and since then the Gyeongju National Museum has been involved in various seismic retrofitting projects in line with a policy that puts the safety of both the visitors and the artifacts first. This installation work for the Silla History Gallery was completed at the end of 2020, and these anti-earthquake systems have been continuously inspected and tested. The latest technologies are involved and they are able to provide full protection in the event of an earthquake measuring at least 8.0 on the Richter scale.

The Silla History Gallery has been reopened and is now better than ever. The renovation project that took three years to complete has resulted in an outstanding exhibition space, optimal environment for viewing exhibits, and comfortable and pleasant convenience facilities, while state-of-the-art earthquake resistant systems were adopted to protect precious cultural artifacts. The Gyeongju National Museum remains dedicated to maintain the intrinsic value of the museum while continually widening the scope of interaction with visitors.