Subjectification (Oh Brother), 2018 [Link]
Single channel video.
6’59”
The “Oh Brother Series” consists of artworks that center around a virtual space inspired by the traditional Korean landscape painting titled “Sun and Moon and Five Peaks.” This painting, historically positioned behind the king to represent his sovereign authority, serves as the foundation for a virtual world that the artworks bring to life. However, inside this virtual space, the characters that inhabit it are not autonomous beings with sovereignty, but rather partial subjects or objects devoid of agency.
The video explores the concept of “subjectifying” objects as a means to address the dehumanization inherent in objectification. The piece begins by acknowledging the traditional critique that objectifying subjects leads to dehumanization and various forms of violence. By stripping individuals of their agency and reducing them to mere objects, society perpetuates harm and atrocities.
The video weaves together personal anecdotes and historical references to explore the impact of objectification. One such anecdote is the chilling account of watching a documentary on Jeffrey Dahmer, who arranged the bodies of his victims into posed positions, treating them as objects devoid of humanity. This haunting example underscores the extreme consequences of objectification, where individuals are stripped of their identity and agency, resulting in unspeakable acts of violence.
The narrative then transitions to the historical memory of 9/11 and the subsequent war, highlighting how objectification can manifest on a larger scale, influencing political and social actions. The dehumanization of perceived enemies often leads to conflict and suffering, perpetuating cycles of violence and atrocity.
“Subjectification (Oh Brother)” proposes an alternative approach: subjectifying objects. By imbuing inanimate entities with qualities of subjecthood, such as agency and emotion, the work suggests a reversal of the dehumanizing process. This act of subjectification serves as a potential cure, fostering empathy and a deeper connection with the world around us.
