EunSun Heo’s performance at the windmill in Wellington delved into the themes of division, isolation, and resilience, drawing parallels between the geographical characteristics of Korea and New Zealand. Korea, her homeland, is a peninsula almost island-like due to its separation from other countries by sea and the North Korean border. This aspect resonated with New Zealand’s island nature, divided into North and South islands, and Wellington’s unique position between them.
Heo’s performance explored the journey of individuals from ‘island-like’ lands and related it to the broader human experience. She depicted how each person carries their unique burdens and reasons for living, yet all are subject to life’s inevitable challenges, symbolized by the wind. In the performance, the attendees faced the metaphorical wind head-on, embracing it rather than avoiding it.
The performance poignantly concluded with a reflection on the uncertainty of future encounters, mirroring the unpredictability of life’s journey, where paths may or may not cross again in the ‘place where the wind gathers’.
