More Than Just a Mural: The Mind Behind LA’s Son Heung-min Tribute Unveils a New World
If you’ve walked past Wilshire and Catalina recently, you’ve likely stared up at the massive, striking face of soccer legend Son Heung-min. But the artist behind that iconic landmark is now trading the spray can for a curator’s baton. The highly anticipated Dave Young Kim exhibition, titled “Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry,” has officially taken over the USC Pacific Asia Museum (PAM) in Pasadena, offering a deep, immersive dive into the soul of the Asian diaspora.
Where Ancient Legends Meet Modern Immigrant Memories
Dave Young Kim, a Korean-American artist known for weaving identity into public spaces, serves as the artistic director and curator for this expansive project. Running through September 6, the showcase is less of a traditional gallery and more of an “emotional voyage.”
The Dave Young Kim exhibition masterfully blends over 100 artifacts from the museum’s 5,000-year-old collection with contemporary works from 24 modern artists, including Greg Ito and Wendy Park. “It’s like stepping into a poem told by a loved one,” Kim explains. By placing ancient Himalayan and East Asian relics alongside modern installations, the exhibit creates a bridge between the legends of the past and the lived experiences of immigrants today.
AI Portraits and Infinite Golden Toads: An Immersive Journey
Spanning 12 distinct rooms, the exhibit utilizes cutting-edge technology to make myth feel tangible. Visitors can lose themselves in:
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The Infinite Mirror Room: Featuring “Jin Chan,” the mythical three-legged golden toad of prosperity.
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The Immigrant Cabin: A reconstructed airplane cabin featuring panoramic videos that simulate the flight to a new life.
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Interactive AI Art: An AI-driven installation that generates “immigrant portraits” based on the visitor’s own facial features.
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The Moving Pond: Digital installations that react and ripple as guests approach.
For Kim, this isn’t just about art—it’s about visibility. Much like his Son Heung-min mural made Korean-Americans feel “seen” in the world of sports, this Dave Young Kim exhibition aims to validate the complex heritage of the Asian-American community through the lens of protective deities and ancestral symbols like dragons and cranes.
Dave Young Kim continues to prove that he is one of the most vital voices in Los Angeles’ contemporary art scene. Whether he’s painting a 50-foot soccer star or curating a high-tech journey through time, his message remains the same: our stories deserve to be told. Don’t miss this chance to see how the myths of old are shaping the identities of tomorrow.
[By Eungyoung Lee]
