Traavik is among a very few artists who have been able to successfully develop a long-term collaboration with North Korean cultural authorities, based on mutual trust, respect and curiosity. Common Ground is a think-tank forum that argues for the necessity of exchanging arts and culture between North Korea and the rest of the world. Remember to reserve seats at rsvp@kafny.org
From the COMMON GROUND press release:
"The symposium is an attempt not only to embrace the public's opinion and feedback about the exhibition series Unify Korea, but also to promote international public awareness and a more comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical issues of the Korean conflict immediately related to securing world peace, and dismantling walls between different countries, cultures, and races. With these objectives, the symposium will examine specific facts and their meanings as they relate to the current geopolitical situation surrounding the Korean struggle for peace, and the striking affinities that exist despite the obvious disparities between North Korean arts and contemporary arts."
For more information about COMMON GROUND visit www.kafny.org.
Traavik has earlier performed his work for a NYC audience in Power Games, a two-person show held at NOoSPHERE in June of 2012. For detailed information about the performance read review by Holland Cotter in The New York Times here.