"I’ve long hoped that someday we could do something together."
Mizuki Takahashi, a co-curator of the Japan Pavilion, said that through tears after a joint performance by the Korea and Japan pavilions on May 6 (local time) at the Venice Biennale.
Takahashi recalled that about 10 years ago, a candidate to curate the Japan Pavilion suggested working together. Takahashi said they proposed a plan to create the Korea Pavilion and its exhibition but were not selected. "Even so, I kept thinking that someday it would be wonderful if we could do something together," Takahashi said.
In the Giardini, where the Biennale’s permanent national pavilions stand, the Korea and Japan pavilions sit side by side. Between them is a long hedge that functions like a border. It is unclear when it was planted. The Japan Pavilion does not want it there, but it cannot be removed.
Choi Bitna, curator and artistic director of the Korea Pavilion, said officials tried to relocate the trees but Biennale park authorities refused.
Instead of removing the boundary, the two sides chose to cross it. During the Korea Pavilion’s official opening events, the joint performance aimed to show that crossing a border can be simple and welcoming.
Japan Pavilion co-curators Lisa Horikawa and Takahashi, along with participating artist Ei Arakawa Nash, stepped over the hedge and entered the Korea Pavilion. The Korea Pavilion director and participating artists greeted them with open arms. Officials from both countries raised glasses for a toast and exchanged congratulations — "omedeto" in Japanese and "chukahamnida" in Korean — before embracing.
The artworks also crossed the hedge. Choi Go-eun’s work "Merdiang" from the Korea Pavilion passed through the hedge and reached the Japan Pavilion. The piece was a joint Korea-Japan project, with financial support from the Japan Pavilion.
Baby dolls from the Japan Pavilion were also invited into the Korea Pavilion. The dolls, described as having been born on March 1 and May 18, hold their arms wide in a celebratory gesture.
Choi Bitna said the collaboration was intended to show a forward-looking relationship. "In 1995, Japan made its first official apology" related to historical issues, Choi said. "It doesn’t deny it, but it seems to try to forget. Still, I think the fact that the Japan Pavilion team acknowledged that past and commemorated specific days in Korea shows how solidarity can be built."
Choi also pointed to the Japan Pavilion’s promotion of the Korea Pavilion. The Japanese side posted a Korea Pavilion poster at the Japan Pavilion exit. The Japan Pavilion also closed temporarily from 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., and staff used that time to tell visitors, "Please go see the Korea Pavilion," and to announce that a joint performance would begin at 4:30 p.m.
Lee Beom-heon, chair of the Arts Council Korea, said the two sides would work to keep the cooperation going. Calling the day’s performance meaningful, Lee said they agreed to maintain a constructive partnership with the Japan Foundation, the Japan Pavilion’s commissioner. He said they also promised to expand similar cooperation, including Seoul and Tokyo inviting each other.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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