Eat Chocopie Together
August 2020, New York
A community-driven digital art initiative with real social impact, powered by the popular chocolate snack, Chocopie.
Mid 2020, when New York City was shut down to curb the spread of COVID-19, everyone was still coming to terms with the new socially-distanced reality where human interactions were all conducted virtually. People longed for contact.
“Eat Chocopie Together” was a digital art initiative conceived to connect people in a meaningful way. Working with contemporary artist, Mina Cheon, EatChocopieTogether.com was successfully launched against all odds in the midst of the pandemic.
Sweet Revolution.
The chocolate snack, Chocopie, is a cultural symbol of reunification, recognized by both South and North Korea — sharing the treat represents compassion and yearning for peace. Originally a physical artwork presented at the 2018 Busan Biennale in Korea, Mina Cheon's “Eat Chocopie Together” featured thousands of Chocopies arranged as a large peninsula. Visitors were encouraged to take a piece to eat as a gesture of peace and friendship, until the very last piece.
For the digital artwork, the EatChocopieTogether.com featured 5,000 virtual Chocopies that allowed anyone from anywhere, to extend love and thoughtfulness to friends and families globally. The simple act of sharing a digital Chocopie also promoted awareness of the peace efforts between the Koreas. The initiative also had real social impact. It was the perfect crowdsourcing platform to support those affected by the pandemic.
For every Chocopie shared, funds were donated on the participant's behalf to the Korean American Community Foundation charity, up to a total of $5,000. We challenged the community to share all Chocopies. With overwhelming support and engagement from the public, the campaign hit its goal within a month of its launch.
