IN DUE COURSE

“… The aforesaid three great powers, mindful of the enslavement of the people of Korea, are determined that in due course Korea shall become free and independent." – The Cairo Declaration, 1943

Korean independence movement, including Kim Gu and Syngman Rhee were reportedly infuriated by the phrase: ‘in due course’ in the declaration, as it means Korea will be placed under trusteeship and functionally again a colony under great powers.

When the war ended, Kim Gu (the Father of Korea and the chairman of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea) who fought for a united Korea, returned to his homeland that has been divided by major powers. Kim Gu was assassinated in 1949.

The site-responsive work uses fallen flower petals from the only tree in the ‘Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea’ building in Chongqing, China – the last adminstraion building the provisional government used before returning to Korea. The petals form the phrase in question and was executed and documented at the historical building.

The ephemeral flower pedals allude to both the flowery language used to conceal intentions in the declaration, while underscoring the vulnerability of weaker states and may be, an end of an aspiration.

Media:  Withered flowers collect at the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea historical site, Chongqing, China
Dimension:  variable

1
2
3

Process of work executed on-site

Previous
Never knew his name
Next
B.M.A.

Email: antchin69@hotmail.com    |    IG: anthonychin.art