Title | PARADE | ||||||||||||||||
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Period | 23 Oct 2024(Wed)~3 Mar 2025(Mon) | ||||||||||||||||
Venue | Special Exhibition Hall 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Exhibition OverviewLife ends, as it does for all living things.
Death, a constant stranger to the living, Is something we’ve never truly known. Death is whispered to be the beginning of a journey into the unknown. The living may feel deep sadness in the face of death, But they cannot join the journey to the next world. All they can do is send someone with those who must go. The only friend on the way to the other side is Kokdu. Just as the midwife welcomes us at birth and the parents care for us in life, When we exhale our last breath here and inhale the first in the afterlife, It is Kokdu who welcomes and guides us. And this exhibition invites you to meet Kokdu, a Korean carved wooden figure. Often vibrantly painted, Kokdu figures represent various roles, helping the transition peacefully to the afterlife. Korean ancestors would say “go back” instead of “die” Believing that the place we go after death is where we first came from. As we journey through the world of the dead, returning to their spiritual home, Surrounded by the vibrant and colorful Kokdu, And with a piece of our cherished heritage, We hope you reflect on life and death through the lens of Korean tradition. Part 1 Unfamiliarity, To confrontWhen a family member passes away,
Loved ones perform a ritual, hoping that the departed might return. They climb to the roof with the deceased’s usual clothing And call out the name of the dead, trying to turn back the clock to bring back the soul. Yet, the living must face this strange and sorrowful goodbye. And they begin the rituals to make sure A peaceful journey for the deceased into the afterlife. At the time of death, one must leave the familiar world behind, And begin the journey to the afterlife. This is when the The Caregiving Kokdu, a servant-looking wooden figure, greets the deceased, Easing their fears in this unknown world, And guiding them gently to the other side. Other Kokdus in the form of Immortals, Buddah, monks and shamans, Also offer their comfort to the deceased. Part 2 Farewell, To embraceThe living say good bye to the deceased
Through rituals meant to bring them peace in the afterlife. One such ritual is ssitgimgut, or “the ritual of washing.” It cleanses the sorrows and impurities of this life, Allowing the soul to enter the next life purified. While ssitgimgut is mainly for the dead, It also offers comfort to those left behind. As the living feel sadness in the face of death, So does the one nearing it. They grieve the loss of connection with loved ones, And fear the loneliness of an unknown place. In this moment, The Entertaining Kokdu steps in to soothe the departing soul. Dressed as a clown, they perform playful tricks And play various instruments, bring calm and comfort to the deceased’s mind. Part 3 Journey, To let goThe living prepare a funeral to say goodbye to the deceased.
It marks the moment the deceased leaves their home in this life, As the body is laid to rest and the mortuary tablet is placed with care. The deceased travels in a beautifully decorated Bier to the other side, Carried through their home and village for a final goodbye. The living mourn this sorrowful parting, hoping they can rest in peace, While the pallbearers singing a song, which Koreans call sangyeosori, to wish the dead eternal life beyond this world. The journey from this world to the next is long and difficult. That’s why The Guardian Kokdu is needed along the way. They leads the deceased safely to the other side, protecting them from harm. Riding alongside the bier, They mount a horse, tiger, or spirit animal, Armed with weapons and fierce expressions, To shield the departed from evil spirits. Epilogue A journey with KokduNow, the Caregiver, the Entertainer and the Guardian stand united,
Ready to embark on the journey to the next world. Shall we now meet the dragons and phoenixes who will guide the deceased and Kokdus on this sacred path? What might the ideal world we once dreamed of look like? Another Story Life with Kokdu, Kokdu’s motherIn one of the many antique shops along Cheonggyecheon 5-ga,
I found a Kokdu, wrapped in ragged cloth, tucked away in a corner, ready to be forgotten. As I gazed at a female Kokdu dressed in a green jeogori (jacket) and a red chima (skirt), her right hand raised, It felt an echo of my own reflection. With a serene expression and feet firmly grounded, The way she held her hand aloft Seemed to embody a woman who had endured life's trials and finally found her peace. I felt as though this Kokdu had been waiting for me all along. Offering a comfort I hadn’t known in years. I gathered Kokdus in my room, and when I was with them, I felt as if they were protecting me. “I'll keep you alive, and you will also keep me alive.” Materials
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Date | 2024-10-23 |