MAGO PROJECT 2011-2014
MAGO is the creator goddess in ancient Korean mythology, central to the practice of mudang. The legend of Mago outlines this piece, which aims to express the interconnectedness of dreams and reality, past and present lives, karma and destiny, microcosm and macrocosm. Through an exploration of the myth of Mago and Dohee's own story, the piece unfolds in six chapters, revealing this interconnectedness and its implications in one’s life. The work itself is an intensely personal journey of birth, self-discovery, confrontation, action, and re-birth.
Preceding the premiere performances was a series of four work-in-progress pieces presented at YBCA. "ARA Gut" (Ritual of Ocean) consist of performance installations for each season. It combines aspects of ritual performance, installation performance and audience participation. YBCA's extended commitment allowed for in-depth development of different chapters of the work. The seasonal pieces aiming to bring ritual into city life – urgently needed when nature and human become so disconnected.
MAGO is the creator goddess in ancient Korean mythology, central to the practice of mudang. The legend of Mago outlines this piece, which aims to express the interconnectedness of dreams and reality, past and present lives, karma and destiny, microcosm and macrocosm. Through an exploration of the myth of Mago and Dohee's own story, the piece unfolds in six chapters, revealing this interconnectedness and its implications in one’s life. The work itself is an intensely personal journey of birth, self-discovery, confrontation, action, and re-birth.
MAGO is the creator goddess in ancient Korean mythology, central to the practice of mudang. The legend of Mago outlines this piece, which aims to express the interconnectedness of dreams and reality, past and present lives, karma and destiny, microcosm and macrocosm. Through an exploration of the myth of Mago and Dohee's own story, the piece unfolds in six chapters, revealing this interconnectedness and its implications in one’s life. The work itself is an intensely personal journey of birth, self-discovery, confrontation, action, and re-birth.
The "Chest Eye Harp" is a musical instrument specifically created for the MAGO Project - designed by Dohee Lee and built by luthier, Colin Ernst. The instrument features a dual-bridge which creates a perpendicular surface of violin strings crossed with harp strings that can be bowed, plucked or strummed. The strings represent the directional relationships of the horizontal endlessness of universe, ocean, sky vs. vertical heaven and earth. The body of the instrument is a steel resonating chamber in the shape of an eye. The eye refers to wisdom and seed (birth of life, cycle of life). When Mago created the world, she caused the vibration to harmonize
the world and people and this instrument is symbolic of her creation and harmony of universe.
Central to Dohee's work is constant striving towards a new artform. This project situates Korean arts and mudangism in a modern context. And while that is interesting in and of itself, blending performance styles isn't what is innovative about her work. Dohee's innovation is her expansive view of performance forms themselves. A master percussionist, singer, dancer, and ritualist – she blurs these forms into a cohesive whole. Through her intensive practice and application of ritual, she edges towards embodying content in a manner that is at once ancient, spiritual, and pushing the boundaries for modern performance. The project brings attention to Mudangism, Korean arts, and the current political situation in Dohee's hometown of Jeju Island (destruction of pristine/sacred marine habitat by corrupt business/military interests, deeply effecting Dohee's family.
Not only is this project sharing the concept of human from the depth of ancient myth, but also it tells about the world through micro place (energy/spiritual infrastructure of the world) and macro-world (the perceivable world). I always believe in art which has great strength to access and convey the vital messages into the micro and macro ways of the world.
Not only is this project sharing the concept of human from the depth of ancient myth, but also it tells about the world through micro place (energy/spiritual infrastructure of the world) and macro-world (the perceivable world). I always believe in art which has great strength to access and convey the vital messages into the micro and macro ways of the world.
SPEAK
by Dohee Lee JULY 1, 2014, PUBLISHED BY IN DANCE
Inner Travel with Myth and Past Lives, History and Stories, Dreams and Future
I am looking at the ocean from the far West Pacific out to my homeland Jeju Island, South Korea. I am looking at this land where I live now – Oakland, California...
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