Description

For “Remember I”, eL Seed was inspired by his project ‘The Bridge’ installed in November 2017 at the DMZ, the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

The goal of the project was to celebrate a call for reunification, unity, and mutual respect. The initial plan was to build a bridge-like sculptural artwork that represented the beginning of a bridge; a curved sculpture that rises up to 20 meters high.

However, due to the security matters within the military zone the concept was fraught with difficulties and getting permission for the initial idea was difficult. Military restrictions would not allow this idea to be realized so instead, eL Seed proposed a horizontal laser-cut art piece installed on the fence of the DMZ. The art piece spells out the words of Kim Sowol, a poet from the Northern part of Korea who died before the separation between the two countries. ⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You may remember, unable to forget:
yet live a lifetime, remember or forget,
For you will have a day when you will come to forget.

You may remember, unable to forget:
Let your years flow by, remember or forget,
For once in a while, you will forget.

On the other hand it may be:
‘How could you forget
What you can never forget?⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Bridges are never built from one side. It involves taking a step forward from both sides.  eL Seed proposed a bridge that would begin in South Korea and extend to the mid-point a gesture of solidarity. The project will remain unfinished until another art piece is installed in North Korea, thus making it the ultimate symbol of unification. ‘The Bridge’ feeds the memories of the older generations with the souvenir of one united country. It stands as a reminder for the younger generations that there is a shared culture, language, and traditions and that art can bring people, culture and generations together beyond political conflict.