In this K-pop album-like output I explore the values attached to self-made goods circulating Seoul’s birthday cafés – cafés that are rented out and decorated for a few days in order to celebrate the birthday of a fan’s favourite music artist. The crux of these cafés is for fans to visit, buy a drink, and receive goods like cups, posters, photocards, etc.
The crucial role of these goods in birthday cafes is embedded in a network of values, as the goods offer people a reason to visit as well as a way to connect to each other.
One such value, that took centre stage during the talks I’ve had with people in the field, was creativity. Thus, Creative Communities delves into the creativity behind and ascribed to these self-made goods as well as my own creative journey with this project.
Bio
Hi, I’m Anne van der Enden! I love travelling and getting to know new environments and the people in them, so I am very grateful that this project has given me the opportunity to travel to the lovely Seoul, South Korea. This project would not have been possible without the amazing people I have met during my time there, so I would like to use this space to, once again, thank them. Thank you Divicha, Heejung, Karolina, Kelsi, Phina, Steicy, and Yris!
