|
In 2005 I traveled to the Demilitarized Zone (the DMZ) in Korea as one of 40 artists invited by curator Yu Yeon Kim to respond to this 5 mile wide ‘no-go’ zone dividing North and South Korea along the 38th parallel. Because the DMZ has become a wildlife sanctuary by default, I took birdsong from Avoca to ‘add’ to this highly militarized ‘demilitarized’ zone. Once there I also collected the US soldier guide’s very particular narration of the DMZ history as inscribed in the North Korean landscape, viewed from a platform at the actual border. The resulting video installation in a ceremonial hall in Paju Book City on the South Korean Border became the first off-site work of The Avoca Project - Art and Place and Climate Change (2005 – 2015). This project returns the US soldier’s account (along with the Avoca birdsong) to the border defined by the dry river bed of the Avoca river. After being exhibited as a photographic/audio work at Anna Schwartz Gallery, the work will then be able to be viewed on-site in Avoca on 19/20 and 26/27 July. Lyndal Jones 2008 Camera Emma Cross Construction Simon Pockley Audio unit Jesse Stevens Sound support Brie Trennery Installation Rob Campbell |