Heavy Smoker's Monologue

Hello, hello again.

So, this is a short post ro reassure everyone that while, of late, this blog seems to have gone the way of the online quiet death fated to so many other online projects, we are still here. Very much so.

Right now, a lot is happening behind the scenes of HSM, hence the absence of published posts.

The original goals for starting HSM was to build an artistic community to facilitate collaboration and general encouragement of creative pursuits. In two words, it was about people and platform. Meeting people with a vision to create, whatever their medium might be. And providing a platform to put those creations into circulation in Seoul and beyond.

As is always the case with new projects, releasing HSM into the wild of the internet has been part of an evolution of an initial concept into a sustainable project. We have people engaged and a lot more interested in and aware of the possibilities. For now, we are still planning to release the first issue of the ‘zine in March, though this release will likely be part of a broader artistic project. News, announcements and general blogiliciousness to follow.

In short, stay tuned and stay involved - we are still looking for more sijos as well as general prose, poetry and visual arts submissions. 

Megan, on behalf of Heavy Smoker’s Monologue

Konglish-y

Heavy Smoker’s Monologue / Tomboy Donkey Revolution* / What’s the f#ck of a sundial in the shade? 

These are just a few of the Konglish phrases to be found in Asia where they sprinkle English words on T-shirts, caps, pants, even shoes, like glitter & sparkles (which can also be found in excess). Sometimes the phrases are downright dirty, sometimes they make no sense, and sometimes they are profound in the way only a series of randomly thrown together words can be.

The challenge? Take Konglish phrasing and turn it into something more to submit to Heavy Smoker’s Monologue. Something like prose, poetry, sijo, haiku or a video montage, a still life, a song, a yet-to-be-invented medium.   

*Technically, a Japanese-English phrase. 

Gallery Dongduk Student Exhibition

#1HSM / throwing down the gauntlet

The first issue is underway, and by underway, we* mean we’ve been drunkenly talking about it a lot in Hongdae. At some point though, we need to get down to a little less talking and a lot more action. So, here’s the bottom line, we want you to get involved. WE WANT YOU TO SUBMIT BY FEBRUARY 15.  

What we would love for #1HSM: submissions of sijo poetry and a visual medium representing the inspiration of the sijo. Ideally the two are not just alongside of one another, but the visual art provides the background for the words, which are inscribed or set into it. 

Never heard of sijo? Sijo is a form of traditional Korean folk poetry, often set to music. Here are some guidelines from the Sejong Cultural Society:

Sijo are written in three lines, each averaging 14-16 syllables for a total of 44-46 syllables. Each line is written in four groups of syllables that should be clearly differentiated from the other groups, yet still flow together as a single line. Liberties may be taken (within reason) with the number of syllables per group as long as the total syllable count for the line remains the same.

The first line is usually written in a 3-4-4-4 grouping pattern and states the theme of the poem, where a situation generally introduced. The second line is usually written in a 3-4-4-4 pattern (similar to the first) and is an elaboration of the first line’s theme or situation (development). The third line is divided into two sections. The first section, the counter-theme, is grouped as 3-5, while the second part, considered the conclusion of the poem, is written as 4-3. The counter-theme is called the ‘twist,’ which is usually a surprise in meaning, sound, or other device.

Perhaps, it would be easier if we just showed you what we are talking about. This is a sijo by Yun Seondo, reproduced from the Sejong Cultural Society website, as an illustration of the form:

You ask how many friends I have? Water and stone, bamboo and pine. (2-6-4-4)
The moon rising over the eastern hill is a joyful comrade. (2-4-4-6)
Besides these five companions, what other pleasure should I ask? (2-5, 5-3)

Read some more sijo samples. 

What we also might like: any other submissions that combine words with another medium, really we’re not too fussy. If you’ve done something interesting, send it our way. 

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*Currently, we is really just me, Megan Smith, an expat recently returned to Seoul on a one-way ticket. However, I include in that we all the other expats who in a compromised state of intoxication expressed interest (even if that interest was just a vague facial expression) in submitting to this project.