Long renowned for its natural beauty and rugged terrain, Chilbosan (Seven Jeweled Mountain) has been the focal point of literature and artwork in Korea since the 17th century. The nearly 900-meter mountain now lies within the North Korean province of Hamgyeongbuk-do and is home to around 750 species of plants and 70 species of animals, birds and reptiles, according to UNESCO.

Because of its location, most South Koreans and Americans would likely never have a chance to visit the scenic mountain. An innovative cross-border exhibition, however, aims to bring its beauty directly to audiences in the Republic of Korea and the United States. 

The map of Chilbosan in the form of an immersive video. The exhibition is on view at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the National Palace Museum in Seoul, South Korea. (Courtesy of Cleveland Museum of Art)

“Into the Seven Jeweled Mountain” is the first international exhibition jointly organized by the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. It is being hosted by the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul and the Cleveland Museum of Art in the United States. The highlight is a traditional 19th-century folding screen from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. On three large 20-meter-wide by 5-meter-high screens, the National Palace Museum in Seoul will digitally display the screen’s depiction of Chilbosan. The adjacent video screens will draw viewers into an interactive experience, surrounding them with shifting scenes from the mountain at various times of the year, such as a snowy winter night or a rainy summer day. Museum visitors in Cleveland, meanwhile, can see the actual folding screen along with its digital counterpart. In both countries, the digital displays feature voice-over narration by actor Ryu Jun-yeol and immersive music written by renowned Korean-Japanese composer Yang Bang Ean. 

The Chilbosan folding screen is believed to have originated in the 19th century during the Joseon Dynasty. Chilbosan has long been recognized for its picturesque terrain. A travelogue written during the early Joseon Dynasty greatly increased its recognition across Korea. In fact, Chilbosan is still known for its rich biodiversity, with a variety of plant and animal species thriving there. The mountain also boasts numerous waterfalls, streams and caves, adding to its natural charm. The travelogue that inspired and popularized artwork depicting the mountain’s beauty was written by a government official, Im Hyeong-su (1515-1547), who visited Chilbosan in March 1542. The folding screen intricately depicts the mountain’s major landmarks and breathtaking scenery, including Gaesimsa Temple, Hoesangdae Terrace, Geumganggul Cave and Cheonbulbong Peak, though the name of the artist remains unknown. 

The map of Chilbosan owned by the Cleveland Museum of Art. It depicts the scenery of Chilbosan, a famous mountain in Hamgyeongbuk-do Province. (Courtesy of Cleveland Museum of Art)

In addition to the digital display of the folding screen, the exhibition at the National Palace Museum also features a video that provides a 3D perspective of 13 pieces of Korean cultural heritage from the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

This exhibition is significant because it is the first time that the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea; the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation; and the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of the leading cultural institutions in the United States, have jointly celebrated Korean cultural heritage. 

The exhibition at the National Palace Museum will run through May 26, while the Cleveland exhibition ends on September 29.