Former hair designer shares life, art at L'art de la vie

The huge rock that forms the topography at the center of L'art de la vie complex in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of L'art de la vie

By Kim Ji-soo

ICHEON, Gyeonggi Province ― Sitting for lunch at L'art de la vie in eastern Gyeonggi, one was left envying the trees that were "cut and designed" by retired hair designer Lee Sang-il. The big pine trees were neatly trimmed with just a little touch of flair ― a signature trait that the former hair designer used to demonstrate on his client's hairstyles.

Then the envy grows when you realize that this person has created a world of his own. L'art de la vie is Lee's and his wife's residence, but also an open museum. Sprawling for over 3,300 square meters here amid the golf clubs and rice fields, the compound offers 11 spaces for accommodation, an art gallery, restaurants, a bakery, an art studio and a convention center. He bought the land 17 years ago before his retirement. When he retired in 2012 after 3 years as a top hair designer, to the despair of his clients, including this writer, he turned to build the cultural space complex.

A native of Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province and a well-known appreciator of art and nature, Lee maintained much of the atmosphere of the low, mountainous valleys of Seogyeong-ri, Moga-myeon in Icheon. The result is that L'art de la vie still retains the feel of an untamed mountain. Yet, the fine dining, the displays of art and other collections and the various types of accommodation, juxtaposed with the rugged natural surroundings, turn out to be oddly comforting.

"Tending to nature, you learn new things every day and derive inspiration from them. The most natural is the most beautiful," Lee said.

The interior of a hanok villa at L'art de la vie in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province

There are three "hanok" villas and eight Western-style lodges for accommodation. There are Western and Korean restaurants, a small gift shop as well as an art studio and a convention center ― a similar compilation of spaces he showcased near his last hair salon close to Dosan Park, in southern Seoul.

Lee, who, later in his career, took on painting, did not forget to include an art gallery at L'art de la vie. It opened also to the public with a special exhibition titled, "Women and Life." The gallery has four exhibition halls. One can experience his success as a hair designer; in the first exhibition hall of his art gallery, the "Beauty DNA" features capsules including strands of former clients' hair. The second hall exhibits his extensive array of graphite drawings titled, "Gwanghwamun Fashion Show." These two are then followed by "Last Beauty," a 2012 installation work on death in the third hall, and "First Beauty" in the fourth exhibition hall, with images evoking birth.

A view of the art gallery of L'art de la vie at night, Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Courtesy of L'art de la vie

The official opening of L'art de la vie was in May of this year, and he has had celebrities, including tycoons visit, paying special attention to renting the hanok villas.

"This is my way to give thanks to the relationships that I have built over decades by turning them into art, and providing an open museum for all to experience," he said.

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