1912 Hanami, 2024
In 1912, cherry blossoms were introduced in Washington, D.C., as symbols of Japan's diplomatic goodwill, while in Korea, the same species took root as instruments of colonial control. The Yoshino cherry trees, gifted to Washington by Yukio Ozaki, then Mayor of Tokyo, were presented as tokens of Japan's modernity and peaceful aspirations on the global stage. Conversely, in Korea, these blossoms were planted near Changgyeonggung Palace—which had been converted into Changgyeongwon under Japanese colonial rule—not as symbols of friendship, but as agents of imperial ecology. Their presence was meant to overwrite Korean royal heritage and visually assert Japan's dominance, embedding colonial authority into the Korean landscape.
The cherry blossoms at Changgyeongwon were not merely aesthetic; they represented a deliberate attempt to transform Korea's royal grounds into symbols of imperial authority. Through the concept of "common sense ecology," this project examines how these blossoms became tools of ecological symbolism, used to overwrite Korea's cultural identity and establish a colonial presence. By analyzing how ecological interventions such as cherry blossoms shaped both physical and cultural landscapes, the project reveals how these seemingly benign changes were employed to solidify imperial influence.
"Common sense ecology" refers to the ways colonial authorities normalized environmental changes to embed their ideology into daily life. The cherry blossoms, while originally markers of imperial control, were slowly absorbed into Korean cultural identity, masking their colonial origins. This exploration highlights the transformation—how ecological symbols imposed by colonial powers were adapted and reinterpreted over time. The use of such ecological interventions as instruments of domination shows how Japan's strategy extended beyond physical control, influencing cultural practices and public perceptions in subtle yet enduring ways.
This exploration moves beyond reconstructing visual records and focuses on understanding the anthropological dimensions of cultural adaptation and ecological manipulation. It highlights how local communities interacted with these imperial symbols—whether by adopting, modifying, or resisting them—providing a nuanced perspective on the interaction between power and adaptation. The cherry blossoms, which became ingrained in cultural traditions, exemplify the way colonial authority moved beyond direct coercion, permeating the cultural fabric through a combination of ecological and ideological influence. This lens offers an understanding of how the Japanese colonial regime utilized seemingly innocuous environmental changes as enduring tools for cultural transformation and control.
This work delves into how "common sense ecology" was not only a means of ecological manipulation but also a tactic for controlling cultural narratives. By exploring how these interventions were absorbed into everyday cultural practices, it illustrates how colonial power was solidified through cultural adaptation, making the cherry blossoms lasting symbols of both imperial control and cultural transformation. The focus is on how colonial authorities used environmental changes to establish normalcy and acceptance, embedding imperial influence into daily life in ways that persisted long after direct colonial rule had ended.
By examining how local communities in Korea adapted to and reinterpreted these changes, this project reveals the dynamic interactions between imposed colonial symbols and indigenous cultural responses. It provides a nuanced view of the interplay between power and adaptation, showing how seemingly minor ecological choices served as powerful instruments of ideological control. This approach offers insight into the subtle, yet pervasive influence of colonial power, moving beyond direct imposition to highlight the resilience and agency of local communities in shaping their cultural landscapes.
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1912 Hanami, 2024
In 1912, cherry blossoms were introduced in Washington, D.C., as symbols of Japan's diplomatic goodwill, while in Korea, the same species took root as instruments of colonial control. The Yoshino cherry trees, gifted to Washington by Yukio Ozaki, then Mayor of Tokyo, were presented as tokens of Japan's modernity and peaceful aspirations on the global stage. Conversely, in Korea, these blossoms were planted near Changgyeonggung Palace—which had been converted into Changgyeongwon under Japanese colonial rule—not as symbols of friendship, but as agents of imperial ecology. Their presence was meant to overwrite Korean royal heritage and visually assert Japan's dominance, embedding colonial authority into the Korean landscape.
The cherry blossoms at Changgyeongwon were not merely aesthetic; they represented a deliberate attempt to transform Korea's royal grounds into symbols of imperial authority. Through the concept of "common sense ecology," this project examines how these blossoms became tools of ecological symbolism, used to overwrite Korea's cultural identity and establish a colonial presence. By analyzing how ecological interventions such as cherry blossoms shaped both physical and cultural landscapes, the project reveals how these seemingly benign changes were employed to solidify imperial influence.
"Common sense ecology" refers to the ways colonial authorities normalized environmental changes to embed their ideology into daily life. The cherry blossoms, while originally markers of imperial control, were slowly absorbed into Korean cultural identity, masking their colonial origins. This exploration highlights the transformation—how ecological symbols imposed by colonial powers were adapted and reinterpreted over time. The use of such ecological interventions as instruments of domination shows how Japan's strategy extended beyond physical control, influencing cultural practices and public perceptions in subtle yet enduring ways.
This exploration moves beyond reconstructing visual records and focuses on understanding the anthropological dimensions of cultural adaptation and ecological manipulation. It highlights how local communities interacted with these imperial symbols—whether by adopting, modifying, or resisting them—providing a nuanced perspective on the interaction between power and adaptation. The cherry blossoms, which became ingrained in cultural traditions, exemplify the way colonial authority moved beyond direct coercion, permeating the cultural fabric through a combination of ecological and ideological influence. This lens offers an understanding of how the Japanese colonial regime utilized seemingly innocuous environmental changes as enduring tools for cultural transformation and control.
This work delves into how "common sense ecology" was not only a means of ecological manipulation but also a tactic for controlling cultural narratives. By exploring how these interventions were absorbed into everyday cultural practices, it illustrates how colonial power was solidified through cultural adaptation, making the cherry blossoms lasting symbols of both imperial control and cultural transformation. The focus is on how colonial authorities used environmental changes to establish normalcy and acceptance, embedding imperial influence into daily life in ways that persisted long after direct colonial rule had ended.
By examining how local communities in Korea adapted to and reinterpreted these changes, this project reveals the dynamic interactions between imposed colonial symbols and indigenous cultural responses. It provides a nuanced view of the interplay between power and adaptation, showing how seemingly minor ecological choices served as powerful instruments of ideological control. This approach offers insight into the subtle, yet pervasive influence of colonial power, moving beyond direct imposition to highlight the resilience and agency of local communities in shaping their cultural landscapes.
1/2
1912 Hanami, 2024
In 1912, cherry blossoms were introduced in Washington, D.C., as symbols of Japan's diplomatic goodwill, while in Korea, the same species took root as instruments of colonial control. The Yoshino cherry trees, gifted to Washington by Yukio Ozaki, then Mayor of Tokyo, were presented as tokens of Japan's modernity and peaceful aspirations on the global stage. Conversely, in Korea, these blossoms were planted near Changgyeonggung Palace—which had been converted into Changgyeongwon under Japanese colonial rule—not as symbols of friendship, but as agents of imperial ecology. Their presence was meant to overwrite Korean royal heritage and visually assert Japan's dominance, embedding colonial authority into the Korean landscape.
The cherry blossoms at Changgyeongwon were not merely aesthetic; they represented a deliberate attempt to transform Korea's royal grounds into symbols of imperial authority. Through the concept of "common sense ecology," this project examines how these blossoms became tools of ecological symbolism, used to overwrite Korea's cultural identity and establish a colonial presence. By analyzing how ecological interventions such as cherry blossoms shaped both physical and cultural landscapes, the project reveals how these seemingly benign changes were employed to solidify imperial influence.
"Common sense ecology" refers to the ways colonial authorities normalized environmental changes to embed their ideology into daily life. The cherry blossoms, while originally markers of imperial control, were slowly absorbed into Korean cultural identity, masking their colonial origins. This exploration highlights the transformation—how ecological symbols imposed by colonial powers were adapted and reinterpreted over time. The use of such ecological interventions as instruments of domination shows how Japan's strategy extended beyond physical control, influencing cultural practices and public perceptions in subtle yet enduring ways.
This exploration moves beyond reconstructing visual records and focuses on understanding the anthropological dimensions of cultural adaptation and ecological manipulation. It highlights how local communities interacted with these imperial symbols—whether by adopting, modifying, or resisting them—providing a nuanced perspective on the interaction between power and adaptation. The cherry blossoms, which became ingrained in cultural traditions, exemplify the way colonial authority moved beyond direct coercion, permeating the cultural fabric through a combination of ecological and ideological influence. This lens offers an understanding of how the Japanese colonial regime utilized seemingly innocuous environmental changes as enduring tools for cultural transformation and control.
This work delves into how "common sense ecology" was not only a means of ecological manipulation but also a tactic for controlling cultural narratives. By exploring how these interventions were absorbed into everyday cultural practices, it illustrates how colonial power was solidified through cultural adaptation, making the cherry blossoms lasting symbols of both imperial control and cultural transformation. The focus is on how colonial authorities used environmental changes to establish normalcy and acceptance, embedding imperial influence into daily life in ways that persisted long after direct colonial rule had ended.
By examining how local communities in Korea adapted to and reinterpreted these changes, this project reveals the dynamic interactions between imposed colonial symbols and indigenous cultural responses. It provides a nuanced view of the interplay between power and adaptation, showing how seemingly minor ecological choices served as powerful instruments of ideological control. This approach offers insight into the subtle, yet pervasive influence of colonial power, moving beyond direct imposition to highlight the resilience and agency of local communities in shaping their cultural landscapes.
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