1.5 Generation Korean American
Eunsil Choi
1.5 generation Korean immigrants are defined as people who were born in Korea and immigrated to the United States between the ages of 5 and 16 with their first generation parents. The first generation Korean immigrants experience cultural shock, social adjustment, language barriers, career changes, immigrant status, and financial difficulties in their new country. Inside of this situation, the 1.5 generation Korean immigrants struggle with their ethnic identity and acculturative stress.
Compared to other ethnic groups, Korean immigrants experience difficulties most acutely at home. To resolve the family concerns amongst this group, language barriers must be narrowed, as having an intimate relationship between parents and children among each other is an important point where the gap might be narrowed.
This three-dimensional exhibition is designed to explore the barrier of intimate relationship between Korean parents and children of the 1.5 generation. There are two colors, blue and red, representing the gap between the parent and the children. The color palette is from the national flags of the two countries, the Republic of Korea and the United States. This exhibition interacts using the recorded-voice, colored-glasses, and a touching-invention tool to identify the barriers within the family. Appreciators can enjoy the exhibition not only by looking but also experiencing the gap with various senses.