Famine and Feast

On Saturday, I happened upon one of the four public performances of Bodies of Pyongyang by artist Yoonhye Park. See more photos here. This is the type of thing you don't usually see in Kansas and if you are looking to create public awareness, I am fascinated by North Korea - that in 2009 a regime like this can continue to survive. The statements regarding the treatment of women in North Korea contained in the press release of this public art performance comes as no surprise:

Most people know who is Kim Jong-il, the dictator of North Korea. However, women in North Korea are hidden and veiled in contemporary context. "Bodies of Pyongyang" is a public live visual art performance installation. Around thirty girls wearing North Korean schoolgirl uniforms are situated inside a (70"x70"x70") clear plexiglass cube box, which is located off a street intersection. These tightly packed schoolgirls try to move about the enclosed cube box expressing their emotional pain and struggle. Red strings symbolizing their dual inner states of suppression and resistance entangle the girls further confining their freedom to move within their already limited and hermetic space.

Of course the sight of a large clear plastic box packed with Korean girls in school uniforms with bright orange respirators will attract plenty of attention, even in New York City. So there was plenty of gawking and photography - the freneticism around a photo opportunity, irrespective of its merits, often looks like famine victims faced with a feast. However, unlike many North Koreans, it is unlikely any performers or onlookers were faced with the prospect of famine ...

Note: You can read about the Bodies of Pyongyang here or the artist Yoonhye Park here. The last public performance in New York City will be at Thompkins Square on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 2:30-5PM.