Until Grandpa becomes a God, 2017

One channel video installation (17:38)

The video work “Until Grandpa becomes a God” originated out of her fathers request to capture the last moments of her grandfather Gatuko Matsusakis life. It shows scenes from the hospital, the embalming and the departure of the funeral car, intermingled with interviews of family members. The video captures the fragility of the last remaining moments of a persons life and the reflection process this passing of a beloved person inflicts on everyone involved.
Gatukos life was highly influenced by societal norms of his time. He was the firstborn son of the family so he was expected to carry the legacy of the family into the next generation by getting his own son. His parents arranged a marriage with a neighbors daughter and he took a blue collar job as a carpenter to provide for his family. He didn’t get the chance to follow his dreams. It touches upon questions of happiness and self-fulfillment in a time where society changed from following traditions and family expectations to a more individualistic ideal of following ones own path and dreams. What is happiness in a life and time where it doesn’t derive from ones own decisions? Can it still blossom and feel as fulfilling as the modern approach.
This generational tension of different ideas about life come together in the last moments of Gatukos life. Was he happy with his life? Was this what he expected from his life? He didn’t answer these questions. Death makes the mysteries permanent.