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During the 1950-3 Korean War, many North Koreans fled south with the hope they would one day return to their families.

The dreams of those displaced are still unrealized, but they are reflected in a luminous new installation on the River Thames in London.

“Floating Dreams,” the latest work by Korean artist Kang Ik-joong, is the main installation for the 20th edition of Totally Thames, one of the United Kingdom’s major cultural events.

It is the first time a Korean has been at the festival’s center.


Kang Ik-joong
Totally Thames runs from Sept. 1-30 each year and features 150 projects related to the river.

This year, it focuses on people whose lives are intertwined with a river. Kang’s installation focuses on those who fled across Korea’s Imjin River during the war.

“Water from the River Thames at one point may flow to the Imjin River and water from the Imjin River may flow to Thames,” said Kang during a press conference yesterday.

“Bringing the hope of these displaced Koreans to the River Thames can bring it new meaning, and eventually can contribute to creating world peace.”

“Floating Dreams” consists of a box displaying 500 drawings made by displaced Koreans. Each is individually lit to show details. On top of the box stands a child hold a flashlight, symbolizing the will to never give up hope.

The installation be placed near the corner of the Millennium Bridge closest to the Tate Modern. It will be close enough to shore that passersby can see each of the drawings, which have been printed on square pieces of hanji (traditional Korean paper) measuring 70 centimeters (2.2 feet).

“I think [the issue of the displaced people] affect all of us at the moment,” said Adrians Evans, the founder and director of Totally Thames, adding that one of the main reasons why the United Kingdom left the European Union involved immigration.

“[The details of what happened in Korea] may be so different from what’s happening in Europe, but [this installation] connects us all and will have a real particular resonance [by showing] the river as a connector rather than a divider.

“And the boy on the top of the structure is the beacon for a hopeful future.”

Kang said it is important for artists to turn subjects or issues into public art, calling it one of their many responsibilities.

“The overall subject here is that we share dreams,” Kang said.

To inspire more people to continue holding on to their dreams, the artist said he will try to take the installation around the world after the London event.

He suggested China’s Yangtze River or somewhere in South America as possible sites.