Reading Scripture to a Cow’s Ear 쇠귀에 경읽기
written by Juyoung Park
There is a Korean saying, “reading scripture to a cow’s ear (우이독경牛耳讀經).” Another similar saying originates from China, “playing harp for a cow (대우탄금對牛彈琴).” Most Koreans already know the meaning of these sayings and need no further explanations to understand them. These phrases are quite popular in Korea, and it’s easy to grasp what they are trying to imply. Yet, it’s not easy to shrug off these two short phrases because that “cow” often alludes to me and my “ignorance and stupidity,” which then leads to numerous other implications. But these sayings aren’t just about the problems I face as a person, and they can be applied to contexts much broader than “us,” like problems on the level of society, politics, and international relations. “Communication” is what led me to ponder on this subject. As long as we live in a society, things are bound to become necessary for us, and communication is an essential part in the process of obtaining them. And for me, I don’t see communication as a direct confrontation but a gentle and focused back-and-forth interaction where I deliver my message in consideration of the other’s emotions. Thanks to the advancements in technology, we are now entering the 5G era, and the advent of social media made text-based communication quicker and more accessible. Although communication became more convenient in our sophisticated civilization, it promoted literal conversations in text format instead of encouraging sincere exchanges. Such literal communications are prone to misunderstanding and often result in escalating violence. Also, miscommunication can fuel emotional quarrels, and we often see these fights leading to bigger conflicts. These sayings are nothing more than short phrases, but the lifestyle they present is undoubtedly an excellent role model for us. Ironically, I place myself — the artist — as the “cow” in these phrases, thereby highlighting the fact that the world I see is centered around myself. While I consider sound simply as an audial input, I also view it as a visual cross-section. Living amid non-realistic errors and misunderstandings, I recognize myself exactly as I am and conversationally express my perception. Instead of juxtaposing myself next to the ideologies and standards of this world, I share the full density and speed of emotions just as I feel them. Communication guides us to the path of the mind via the wholehearted temperature that bosoms the time before language, connecting us to the flow of life, nature, and air. Seeing myself as the “cow” is an understanding on a personal level, but would it be too audacious to claim that this private understanding can be extended to the diverse viewpoints that exist between all societies — every eye that listens, every hand that speaks, every ear that sees — in essence, every image that is altered during its delivery? I still yearn to be that stranger, who drifts the sea in search of unfinished communications and encounters.
1.For non-Korean readers: in East Asia, an ignorant, stupid person is compared to a "cow." And just like how a cow cannot understand holy scripture and beautiful music, the message here is that it's pointless to give wise advice to people who are not smart enough for it.
“Maybe art doesn’t exist .
Because you, my audience, who participated in this performance, were just as much a part of It as I was.
All of you are artists. All creative activities are based on the relationship between the I and the other.
Perceiving the text and sound written on the glass, and tossing whipped cream, this was a ‘painting from communication’ painted by the tongue.
This painting, made with tosses and tongues, is our landscape painting that exists within the violence and sweetness of communication.
Today, just like any other day, we exchange messages and meet with each other to have more ‘cream-tasting communication’. “
Copyright © 2019. Juyoung Park. all rights reserved.