The ‘Piano of Unification’ project by Korean Ministry of Unification and Cheil Worldwide celebrates 70 years of Korea’s liberation
Korean Ministry of Unification joins hands with Cheil Worldwide to unveil project ‘Piano of Unification.’ The project commemorates Korea’s 70th anniversary of liberation from Japanese occupation, and aims to enhance people’s interest in national reunification of South and North.
After Korea’s dark period ruled by Japan from 1910 to 1945, Korean War broke out in 1950 and lasted for three years destroying lives of people living in. Ever since then, the Korean Peninsula has been divided into two. As The Liberation Day, when all Korean races became one in joy for the country’s freedom, as a momentum, the Piano of Unification aims to make people give a thought of national reunification and hope for the peace.
‘Piano of Unification’ is a project to create a piano made of barbed-wires from the inter-Korean border which is a symbol of the divided nation, and to exhibit and perform the piano in public. Seoul Museum of Art, the National Chorus of Korea and Samick Cultural Foundation took part in the project. The creation of piano was undertaken by a world music group ‘Gong Myung’ who are famous for designing and rendering creative instruments. Musicians of Gong Myung brought barbed-wires from frontline military camp and transformed it into a new instrument after giving 3 months of devotion.
“I came to realize that barbed-wires, usually a symbol of division, can represent peace on the other hand as I remembered Christ’s crown of thrones made with border fence’s wires was given to the Pope when he visited Korea last year,” said Songha Lee from Cheil Worldwide. “We launched the Piano of Unification with an idea to move people’s emotions by adding musical aspects to barbed-wires.”
‘Piano of Unification’ boasts authentic design and sound. The design stands out because of the stark contrast between the luxurious exterior of a grand piano and sharp barbed-wires that replaced the piano strings. The sound is definitely different from that of a normal piano. Rusty and rugged wires used instead of clean-cut steel strings give out a sound more close to percussion rather than a keyboard instrument.
The Piano of Unification will be showcased in the lobby of Seoul Museum of Art from July 21 to September 29 as part of ‘North Korea Project’ exhibition. Seoul Museum of Art will display the various artworks that embody division along with the piano. Music performed with the piano and video footage of making it will be introduced in order to help audiences to commemorate the meaning of reunification.
Moreover, the Piano of Unification will be on stage for concert. On August 15, The Liberation Day, it will be played at ’70th Anniversary of Liberation Chorus Festival’ held by the National Chorus of Korea at Seoul Arts Center where chorus consisted of Koreans from all around the world will be gathering and performing.
“As it is a sound made with a symbol of division, the Piano of Unification has a significant meaning in terms of history and music,” said Koo Chun, Art Director of the National Chorus of Korea. “Like Piano of Unification brings music out from the rough piece of iron, I will play the piano with a hope of realizing our long-cherished dream upon this divided country.”