2022
Mixed Media
Jewish Museum Frankfurt
The transmedial installation the sweet taste of revenge - Die Rache der K. by Un-Zu Ha-Nul Lee and Larissa Smurago combines Korean and (post-)Soviet-Jewish perspectives and negotiates the possibility of non-violent revenge in the context of hope and justice. The installation explores the universal theme of revenge across cultures, examining varied interpretations from individual acts to collective mandates, challenging the idea that violence is the sole means of preserving honor and advocating for a more satisfying, nonviolent revenge.
Centered around the story of K., a woman who endured profound suffering but never sought revenge—perhaps by choice—the work intricately weaves Korean and (post-)Soviet-Jewish traditions. The term 'Han' in Korean, describing the physically felt pain and resentment, parallels Jewish traditions in connecting individual and collective destinies. Both cultures share the approach of coping with pain through nonviolent, reflective storytelling.
At the heart of the installation stands an ancestral table, traditionally set in Korea on the anniversary of a person's death. Laden with the deceased's favorite foods, drinks, and cherished items like books or instruments, the table becomes a poignant symbol of remembrance. The narrative prompts reflection on the complexities of revenge, the impact of cultural heritage, and the power of nonviolent storytelling as a means of healing.
The table is abundantly set with foods: a large Napoleon cake, red caviar, bacon, candies, pickles—all reminiscent of the festive tables in the Soviet Union and, to this day in Germany, gracing numerous tables at celebrations of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union, often without strict adherence to Kashrut. On the table, you'll also find an array of cosmetics and a telephone, which became K.'s gateway to the world when she could no longer leave her house. The wall panels surrounding the table depict two scenes from K.'s life, one that was typically Soviet and unusually harsh.
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