Military Sexual Slavery during WWII

 

My topic is body politic and the politics of the body. When I was given the topic, a military sexual slavery issue came up in my mind. Because the women and girls’ body were not considered as human beings during WWII. 

The past continues, and the survivors still live in pain; besides, the fallacious recounting of history, sex trafficking, and the continued use of rape as a weapon in war deny human rights. I feel a responsibility as a Korean and a woman. This is not only an assignment for my Seminar and Studio classes, but also this is a mission in my life. 

I wrote a research essay (See the essay: The Uncomforted Fact) about the issue.

I designed a blouse inspired by a Korean traditional clothing and used fabric that red flowers on it. The red flowers express blood. Meanwhile, they symbolize the desire of being beautiful and having beautiful time like blossoming flowers. They were women and girls who should have deserved it.

I also designed a veil to express the survivors’ isolated lives, and handcuffs to convey the feeling of oppression.

Then, I produced a video because I wanted to show the real survivors’ images and their voices to let people know the cruelty of their stories.

Finally, I created a book( See the book: Untouchable) on the issue to expand my project, because a book is a great medium to convey ideas with images and words.

Since I was surprised because many people still do not have very basic information about the comfort women issue, I will make videos in diverse languages and post on public websites, like YouTube, to let people know about the issue. 

I will continue research, study, and act for the military slavery issue in Korea and other countries, and I will study sex trafficking as well.  Moreover, I want to study the contemporary military sexual slavery issue, such as the women sexual slaves in South Sudan.  In these wars, women and children can become victims easily, and this fact is unacceptable.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXhwKkmWo5s

 

 

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Process

1. Final mood board & material board

 

 

2. Project sketches & Plans

• Design sketches for the clothing

 

• Plans

 

• Sewing Practice

 

• Measurements of the blouse

 

 

• Plan for the video

 

 

3. Materials

• Body

 

• Back: cruelty and beauty

 

• Matches of the body and back part fabrics

 

• The veil

 

• Trimmings

 

 

4. Prototype 

• Muslin prototype

 

• Trimming prototype

 

 

• Final prototype

 

 

5. Making process

 

• Mistakes

 

6. Final styled photos

• The veil

 

 

• The blouse

 

7. Premiere Pro for the video

 

 

8. Inspiration for the video

 

 

 

9. Others – Graphic novel

Tattoo