Lolling and Rolling at Performance Works

Video, music and monologue come together as Jaha Koo takes on the absurdities of linguistic imperialism. The main subject is the South Korean phenomenon of tongue-tie surgery, a procedure that makes it easier for patients to pronounce the English “r” sound. Jaha Koo investigates this absurd practice, and branches out to many related topics, including war, colonial history and English’s status as the key language of political power. From this exploration emerges a polemic about the subaltern’s “inaudible voice” and its embattled position in our world.

Witty, perceptive and revelatory, Lolling and Rolling features Jaha Koo mixing music from behind a turntable as he speaks to the audience; there are also two screens behind him playing footage that complements his discourse. It’s a multimedia aesthetic for a multifaceted exploration–one that shines a light on the oppression of linguistic minorities and decries their loss of identity.