Artist Statement
-Kim Soyeon

  I just want to tell my feelings about American culture, especially African-American culture. It was my first time to see the land of America, different peoples, and different cultures through this SIELI program. In a short duration, about two months, I was always nervous. At anytime in anywhere I was a little bit unstable. The biggest reason was a condition separated from my family. Another reason was I was surrounded by totally different people in terms of languages, appearances, and life styles. I’ve experienced a little bit of culture of Native Americans, African Americans, and Mexican Americans by reading articles about them, appreciating photos that reflect them, talking with them, and looking around several museums to see their history and culture. Among them, African American culture was most strange and newest to me. I’ve never seen African before, and never thought about their history or present life. To me, they were just stranger who will never face me. But I’ve faced them already, and been shocked that I knew nothing about them. I realized that there is nothing to ignore or neglect if it’s about something that can influence current situation in the world. It’s the reason why I chose this subject. Maybe it is such an individual thought.  But through my presentation, I wish you to be considerate when you deal with other cultures.