Vancouver-based performance artist David Khang presented this site-specific piece, addressing issues of divided nations, in the courtyard of the Kasteliotissa, the venue for the symposium in Nicosia, Cyprus. Closing the first day of the symposium, “Wrong Place” began with Khang entering the courtyard dressed in a Korean military uniform. He performed a ritual of placing framed items in the courtyard, then began to recite poetry in Korean. After that, he played versions of childhood games such as jacks, and then moved along the medieval wall, variously pressing his lips to the brick and painting (with water) the boarded windows. Finally, he began painting his uniform blue (UN colours) and invited audience members to finish the job. Once completely blue, he wrapped himself in the flags of both Koreas and began rolling between boulders until the performance ended and he left as he had entered.
"Wrong Place": An Experiment in Locational Identity
a performance by David Khang
at the Performing Identity / Crossing Borders symposium, Nicosia, May 3, 2007
Entrance with photo
Ritual placement
Standing at attention
Reciting poetry
Getting a light
Reciting poetry #2
Reciting poetry #3
Reciting poetry #4
Playing jacks
Playing jacks #2
Hopping/kicking game
Lips to wall
Lips to wall #2
Painting with water
Painting uniform
Audience members assist
More painting
Audience in courtyard
Backlit paintng
Fully painted
Holding Korean flags
Wrapped in flags
Rolling in flags
Rolling in flags #2
