SPEAKING WITH SHIN

Initial Sketch drawing by TD

Having introduced Prof. Shin to some of my hopes for 6 FEET UP - a prototype for bereavement typology drawing from the psychology and technology of the modern Seoulite, yet rooted in their cultural subconscious  - she suggested that it may prove difficult to discover the contemporary Korean emotional response as such matters were so part of the ordinary. I would have to speak to people, and as many as possible.

There is an issue in Korea. There is barely enough space for the living, are inhabitants content with the space available for the dead? The Presbyterian Church is investigating use of new technologies to replace cremation - itself a 'space saving solution' due to financial and sustainability issues. If cremation is not appropriate after 100 years of implementation, what chance is there for use of any new technology? Are Koreans, and the rest of the world, going to maintain what historic rituals they can entirely isolated from the industrial acts of committal?

I hope to align contemporary life in Seoul with contemporary death in Seoul, whatever the proximity of that relationship may be. Ideally this would be realised through use of new technology, in an appropriate manner - to the full extent of that phrase.

By speaking to Koreans and researching the psychology of modern bereavement, but remembering the necessary requirements of cultural history I hope to formulate a model that represents and supports the modern Korean response to the death of other.