Multidisciplinary Visual-Sound Installation/Exhibition

“I Photographed The Comfort Girl” created by photographic artist Emra Islek

Visit Emra’s website for more info: http://emraislek.com/i-photographed-the-comfort-girl-2/

http://emraislek.com/i-photographed-the-comfort-girl/

Images and Visuals by Emra Islek // Music and Improvisation by Stephanie Chou

Live music, pre-recorded music, video, and photo installation

Premiered at Gallery MC, NYC - September 2023

Emrâ Islek and saxophonist Stephanie Chou calls for attention to the tragedy of Chinese “comfort women” who were kidnapped or coerced into “comfort stations” for sexual slavery during WWII. The artists created an interdisciplinary zone, which synthesizes printed and projected photography, video, live and recorded musical performances. Collaboration on this topic was inspired and triggered by Chou's 75 minute original music ‘Comfort Girl’ –a unique blend of traditional Chinese, classical and jazz music- which was commissioned by the American Composers Forum. The work not only attempts to give the comfort women’s fading story a new emphasis, but also addresses the modern-day violence against women. ‘I photographed the Comfort girl’ is ever so relevant for our times, as the institutionalisation of rape under disguised titles such as “marriage”, “the military”, “traditions”, and “the church” is evident at present; human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation numbers are soaring; modern day sexual slavery and domestic violence against women continue.

Live performance duration: approx 15-20 minutes

Contact Emra or Steph to learn more about the piece, see more installation photos and videos, and inquire about booking.