Last week at the Metropolitan Museum, in front of the stunning site-specific installation by Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj (born 1986, Kostërc, former Yugoslavia), I was moved to tears as I witnessed a young man drop to one knee and propose. The mix of elation and anxiety was palpable as everyone wondered whether his soon-to-be bride would say yes or hesitate.
As Maria, the Korean bride, I deeply resonate with these emotions. I’ve experienced the whirlwind of love and commitment firsthand, having been married 50 times and proposed to hundreds of strangers. My documentary, which took over nine years to complete and was released in 2013, has transformed into a film about love in America, garnering significant media attention. Many refer to me as the "Woman Who Married Fifty Times" or the "Voice of Unmarried Women."
Now available on Amazon Prime for just $2.99! I can’t help but laugh as I share this.
For those unfamiliar with my project, as a first-generation Korean-American artist, I embarked on a unique journey to capture the essence of the American experience. Dressed in traditional Korean wedding attire, I traveled across all fifty states, posing for portraits and playfully proposing to random men, women, and even animals. This endeavor created a poignant visual narrative that explores the intersections of identity, tradition, and the immigrant experience.
You might wonder why I took on such an ambitious project. The answer is simple: my father. Our relationship has its challenges, but I know he loves me. The cultural gap between us is vast, and he has always wanted me to marry, believing it would secure my future. Rather than argue during family gatherings, I chose to connect with fellow Americans about family dynamics and fulfill my father's wish for me to marry.
I invited diverse participants on this transformative journey, starting in Las Vegas, Nevada—the wedding capital—challenging preconceived notions of American identity. By weaving together personal stories, cultural insights, and striking imagery, my work reflects the richness and complexity of the human experience, inspiring deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse tapestry that defines the United States.
Among my memorable experiences, I married a Samoan Hawaiian mafia member with commitment issues in Hawaii and a fifth-generation cowboy from Wyoming. I even married a museum director from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum (now deceased) and a woman in Boston, an actress and model, to explore same-sex marriage. For more stories, visit my website at www.mariathekoreanbride.com.
I cherish these experiences and maintain connections with many of my participants throughout the country, whom I consider my extended American family. Now - As the founder of Private Museum Tours and Art Advisory based in NYC and a teaching artist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I help others engage with art in serene environments. These spaces are filled with unique artworks and antiquities dating back 5,000 years. I offer access before the museum opens to the public, accompanied by a talented photographer who has witnessed many weddings in his career.
The young man's proposal reignited my creative energy and rekindled my love for love and my affection for people and America. Who will be the next to get married?
Let us celebrate art and the freedom to marry whomever we choose in the USA!
#KoreanBride #LoveInAmerica #ArtAndCulture #DocumentaryFilm #MarriageJourney #CulturalDiversity #MetropolitanMuseum #ArtEngagement #IdentityAndTradition #ImmigrantExperience #AmazonPrime #LoveStories #CherishedConnections #CreativeJourney
Comments