MINO Arata

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MINO Arata

Participating Project	Exchange Residency Program (Japan-based creators sent abroad)
Activity Base	Tokyo and Kanagawa
City / Place stayed	Seoul / SeMA Nanji Residency
Period	2025.3 - 2025.5

Purpose of the residency

The former Yongsan U.S. military base, which was originally a Japanese military base taken over by the U.S. forces, ceased operations by 2024 and is gradually being opened to the citizens of Seoul. However, the contaminated land that should have been restored upon its return by the U.S. military remains unresolved, left in a "suspended" state. This situation represents a political issue rooted in the U.S.-ROK SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) and serves as a symbol of the historical shifts in the ownership of land and people by nation-states. At the same time, it raises the question of whether our bodies, which should be free, can truly find comfort on "suspended" land as long as they remain subject to sovereign states. Building on themes I have explored in Japan, creating work in Seoul—a place with a similar status agreement—enables a multifaceted artistic approach to issues surrounding military bases and war.

Plan during the residency

• Month 1: Conduct research at and around the former Yongsan U.S. military base, exploring potential narratives. Additionally, I aim to interview people who worked at the base and residents in the surrounding area.
• Month 2: Begin the creation of a play while organizing collaborative workshops with local artists and performers based on the developing work.
• Month 3: Present a provisional outcome using a studio visit or a temporary space such as a gallery. Specifically, I plan to conduct a tentative "performance" based on the research findings.
• Foster exchanges and collaborative opportunities with interdisciplinary artists based in Seoul.

Creator Information