Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Flowers (Neil) North Korea Journal photograph album
3037  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Overview
 
Table of contents What's This?
Description
North Korea Journal: 2002 is a large album (30 cm x 42 cm) of photographs taken by poet, screenwriter, writer, director, actor, editor, and USC alumnus Neil Flowers during a trip to North Korea (DPRK) in June 2002. Flowers, a Canadian who lives and works in Los Angeles, was the only Caucasian amongst 19 Koreans from L.A. who were invited by the government to visit the DPRK. These Korean Angelenos (and Flowers) had been contributing financially to a noodle factory in Pyongyang that fed the poor. The group also brought books, clothes, food and other items for the Buddhist monks who maintain the remaining temples in the country (many were destroyed during the war). The images depict places Flowers visited and people he met during his visit. The beautifully restored temple Kwang Bop Sa (Kwangbopsa) is featured in the photographs; as is Pyongyang, the massive performance art spectacle called Arirang, and the United Nations buildings at the 48th parallel DMZ. One page features propaganda billboards in the capital city. Captions are included for many of the photographs in the form of description and/or poetry. The photographs are mostly in color with a few in black and white. This is a unique one-of-a-kind book that captures a moment in the history of "The Hermit Kingdom".
Background
Neil Flowers, a Canadian who lives and works in Los Angeles, was the only Caucasian amongst 19 Koreans from L.A. who were invited by the North Korean government to visit the DPRK. These Korean Angelenos (and Flowers) had been contributing financially to a noodle factory in Pyongyang that fed the poor. The group also brought books, clothes, food and other items for the Buddhist monks who maintain the remaining temples in the country (many were destroyed during the war).
Extent
2 Linear Feet 1 box
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Curator, Korean Heritage Library. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Korean Heritage Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
Advance notice required for access.