The Wise River

2011

Single Channel HD Video & Pigmented Inkjet Prints

South / North Korea

Yeonpyeong is the closest South Korean island to North Korea (7.5 miles south) and has been the site of repeated North Korean bombings, in the past decades. During my fellowship to South Korea, I visited Yeonpyeong Island to get a glimpse of North Korea from the observatory points on the island. The fishing boats, islands and coastal shores provide images of one of the most secretive states in the world. Presented as a comical karaoke video, this piece conveys the geopolitical struggle between North and South Korea. Shot from Yeonpyeong, the video combines the lyrics to Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with romantic sunset views. These two elements cunningly reference South Korea’s failed Sunshine Policy (1998-2007), an attempt to warm relations with North Korea via tourism, business development, and reunited railroads. This work has been exhibited numerous times in South Korea as well as at screening events and exhibitions in the US and Europe.