gook magazine
Collage/printed zine - March 2023
“Gook Magazine” was a project that involved devising and creating a fictional magazine based off of an important figure in history, including visual analyses on a quote of theirs. As a Vietnamese artist inspired by my country’s history and politics, I chose to do mine on South Vietnam’s Madame Nhu.
Below is a description of the magazine, as well as further context behind it’s intentionally controversial name:
Gook’s March 2023 issue revolves around de-facto first lady Madame Nhu, the infamous “Dragon Lady” of South Vietnam during the early years of the Vietnam War, who exerted her power through feminist movements, government policies, foreign affairs and even fashion trends.
The issue features a brief look into the eventful life of the revered yet controversial figure, and how her disparaging comments over a certain period forever ingrained in Vietnam’s history, known as the Buddhist Crisis, ultimately led to her family-led government’s demise. Various artworks and photographs of her journey will appear, supplemented by contextual information and analyses, such as Malcolm Browne’s “The Burning Monk” (page 4).
The issue follows a dual-toned colour theme adorned with psychedelic 60s typography and patterns as a nod to the trends of the time period to appeal to Gook’s younger readers. The spread featuring the aforementioned quote however, aims to act as a splash of melancholy, a stain between the pages much like Madame Nhu’s remarks were on the country’s history. Our current focus is to inform Gook’s majority overseas-Vietnamese (“Việt Kiều”) audience of the more domestic atrocities committed during the war that are often under-discussed.
For context, the word ‘gook’ refers to the popular slang word for Vietnamese soldiers/civilians, primarily used by American GIs during the Vietnam War, or Americans in general. This was also used by them during the Korean War, though its true origins are still debated upon.
In modern usage, it is now viewed as a racial slur towards those of Vietnamese or Korean descent. That being said, I have never been called a "gook" in my life, and have never heard the word used verbally either, though I am aware that does not diminish its meaning or impact for others. I am also aware that the word would most likely be used in America nowadays anyway. I therefore personally do not take offence to it in any setting that isn't hateful or racist (of course if it were hurled at me as an insult or hate crime however, then I would very much be offended). All the people I have spoken to about the word, from family members to other Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese friends, are also oblivious to the word ands its origins, and also take the same stance I do. I have also heard of a film titled Gook released in recent years.
I wanted to use it as my magazine's title because firstly, on a less relevant note, I wanted my title to be short and punchy, something easy to recall or recognise. Secondly, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to reclaim the word as it were, take this word that has been used negatively and insultingly in the past and turn it on its head, making it something that can be positive instead. I thought it was a unique idea that would also be thought-provoking to those who are aware of it, though it has mostly flown over people's heads that I've showed it to.
Be that as it may, I know that if this were a real magazine, some may still take offence, though I still think it sends a powerful message on its own. So, I am willing to leave it on "agree to disagree".