Jochen Hiltmann's 'Where at Home: Paint or Die' Blends Biography, Art Theory, and Love Letter for Song Hyun-Sook

Jochen Hiltmann, a sculptor from Germany, created 'Where at Home: Paint or Die,' a unique publication centered on his wife, Song Hyun-Sook, a German-Korean artist. Released by Zeno X Gallery and König Books, this work combines elements of biography, art theory, environmental criticism, and manifesto. It chronicles Song's path from Muwol-li, North Gyeongsang, Korea, to West Germany in 1972, where she served as a 'Korean angel' nurse. After her encounter with Hiltmann in 1973, she pursued studies at the University of Fine Arts Hamburg and explored Korean art history at Chonnam National University in 1984. The book examines the effects of modernism, capitalism, and industrialization on Korean society, referencing thinkers like Goethe and Adorno, while emphasizing cultural navigation over Song's political views.