GERMANY: Streetart Berlin – Moabit – Siemens 27 – ZK/U – Center for Art and Urbanism – KIM SEO KYUNG & KIM EUN SUNG

Statue of Peace  –  „Ari“

Since 22nd January 2026, the Statue of Peace „Ari“ has been a guest at ZK/U – Center for Art and Urbanistics for a period of one year. The statue was previously installed in public space in Berlin-Moabit, at the corner of Birken- straße / Emdener Straße, where it stood from 2020 onward. After its removal, the statue found a temporary place of presence and exchange at ZK/U. The Statue of Peace is a work by the artist duo and couple KIM SEO KYUNG and KIM EUN SUNG and owned by the KOREA VERBAND.

„Ari“ commemorates the so-called „Comfort Women“ – girls and women from Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and other regions occupied by Japan who were systematically forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II. The statue also stands as a symbol against sexualized violence and for a peaceful and just society. ZK/U is the host of this temporary stay. We do not act as a political representative of the statue, but as a place that opens space for encounter, diverse perspectives, and open discourse.

During World War II the Japanese military abducted countless girls and women from across the Asia-Pacific region and forced them into sexual slavery. The Statue of Peace commemorates the suffering of these so-called comfort women. It honors the courage of the survivors who broke their silence on 14th August 1991, and who are seeking to prevent the repeat of such atrocities worldwide. A gift from The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, established by AG „Comfort Women“ of Korea Verband in the Alliance for the Statue of Peace.  –  14th August 2020

The statue’s attire refers to the time before World War II. The cut-off hair indicates the violent abduction of the girls and women. The fists and raised heels express a life of shame and isolation even after they returned home, yet also the strong will to never give up, despite humiliation. The bird sitting on her shoulder represents peace, liberty and the bond between the living and the dead. The shadow of the statue, embedded in the floor slab as a mosaic, traces the shape of an elderly woman. It signifies the time that has passed and emphasizes the long wait for justice. The white butterfly is a symbol of reincarnation and the hope for a sincere apology from those responsible. The empty chair invites us to take a seat next to the girl and to feel the emotions of the victims. It embodies the promise from all future generations to not forget, and to take action for a peaceful world. The first Statue of Peace was established in 2011 to commemorate the 1000th Wednesday Demonstration for the resolution of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue, which has been held since 1992 in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. The design was created by the artists Kim Seo Kyung and Kim Un Seong together with The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan.

Project Artist Talk  –  Interview by KOREA VERBAND

The promise carved on an empty chair  –  Interview by TEDX TALKS

Independence Movement Day Special  –  Interview by ARIRANG TV

INFOTHEK

Artist Duo & Couple:  KIM SEO KYUNG  &  KIM EUN SUNG

  ZK/U Project Page:  https://www.zku-berlin.org/satellites/friedensstatue-ari

  Webpage:  https://www.museuartprohibit.org/en/artists/kim-eun-sung-kim-seo-kyung

  Korean Society:  KOREA VERBAND

  Website:  https://koreaverband.de

  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/koreaverband

  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/koreaverband

  LinkedIn:  https://de.linkedin.com/company/koreaverband

  Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/@KoreaVerbandDe

ZK/U Collection: https://vagabundler.com/germany/streetart-map-berlin/moabit-siemens-27

Curator:  21ER GALLERY

Website:  https://www.21ergallery.de

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/21ergallery

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/21ergallery

  Art Space:   Zentrum für Kunst und Urbanismus –  ZK/U

Website:  https://www.zku-berlin.org

Collective KUNSTrePUBLIK: https://www.kunstrepublik.de

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/zku.berlin

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zku.berlin

Photographer: HOLGER PETER

Hashtags: #PeterEatAndArt #BerlinStreetArtPeter

Instagram PETER EAT AND ART: https://www.instagram.com/peter.eatandart

Instagram BERLIN ART PLACE:   https://www.instagram.com/berlinartplace

Instagram STROMKÄSTEN:  https://www.instagram.com/berlinstromkastenkunstpeter_

Profile Page:  https://vagabundler.com/culturists/holger-peter

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