Jin Hi Kim: Ritual for Covid 19

Electric komungo performer and Guggenheim Composer Fellow Jin Hi Kim created ‘A Ritual for Covid-

19’ in memory of 400,000 deaths in the USA and 2 million deaths worldwide during the pandemic. The work, inspired by Korean Shamanistic ssitkimkut ritual, purifies the deceased spirit while releasing the grief of survivors. Kim creates a live interactive performance on the world’s only electric komungo as she presents a range of projected images reflective of the coronavirus pandemic. A community processional enters the performance space where a 100-yard white cloth is symbolically used in a shaman ritual to release grief. This performance is in the spirit of healing of the apocalyptic years of 2020-21 and was created in collaboration with media artist Benton C Bainbridge and videographer Dustin DeMilio.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IWxIFATaXo&t=1s

"Her unique vision blends science fiction images, state-of-the-art technology, ancient mythology and timeless music and dance traditions. No other artist is doing work quite like this, and she does it with superb style." 

-Joseph McLellan, The Washington Post

“The solitude and strength in Jin Hi’s work sets us on an unexpected journey—" 

-Marcie Hershman, Rebecca Blunk Fund Award

A Ritual for Covid-19 was made possible with funding by the New England Foundation for the Arts' New Work New England program, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Seedlings Foundation, the Fund for the Arts at NEFA, and individual donors. This project is supported by the Rebecca Blunk Fund, in memory of Rebecca Blunk (1953-2014), celebrating her 29 years of service to NEFA and her abiding passion for the arts.

Additional Support by the Korea Foundation Arts and Cultural Exchange Program, and Artist Fellowship Award through the Artist Fellowship program from the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA).