USC Pacific Asia Museum will present a new exhibition, “Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry,” from February 14 to September 6, 2026. The exhibition is designed to explore the immigrant experience through mythological themes and contemporary art. A public preview of the exhibition in progress will be available from December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
The project was conceived by Los Angeles-based Korean American artist and muralist Dave Young Kim. The installation spans 12 rooms and incorporates around 100 objects from USC PAM’s collection alongside new technology and works by more than 20 contemporary artists, including Dinh Q. Lê, Lily Honglei, Wendy Park, Momoko Schafer, Kyungmi Shin, Sanjay Vora, and Lauren YS.
Visitors will encounter creative environments that reflect various aspects of the immigrant journey. These include settings such as a night crossing with demons, an immigrant’s first apartment, and a room centered on a gold Jin Chan frog. Mythical figures like dragons and guardian spirits are used as metaphors for internal states and intergenerational legacies.
“Imagine stepping inside an illustrated book of poetry written by a cherished loved one,” said artistic director Kim. “Mythical Creatures is guided by verses on the walls that reflect the wisdom of an imagined, beloved elder—tender, unfolding, and finally given voice. This exhibition invites us into a conversation that was always meant for us, made possible by activating the Pacific Asia Museum’s remarkable collection and collaborating with an exceptional group of artists. Together, I believe we have given timeless stories a renewed life.”
The exhibition integrates new technologies such as video installations in reconstructed spaces and AI-powered interactive experiences that allow visitors to assume the role of an immigrant. QR codes linked to a custom app developed with AI offer deeper exploration of specific objects in the galleries.
“Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry embodies a transformational shift in our direction at USC Pacific Asia Museum,” said Bethany Montagano, director of USC Museums. “Centering artists, rethinking interpretation, and building exhibitions from the emotional and intellectual lives of our audiences outward. It also reflects our commitment to dismantling orientalist frameworks and approaching the collection not as a march through history, but as a living archive with the power to meet people where they are. I’m thrilled that we are able to present this incredibly bold and ambitious exhibition—one of the most expansive projects we’ve ever undertaken.”
Public programs such as workshops, panel discussions, and film screenings will accompany the exhibition; updates can be found at https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/.
Dave Young Kim has previously worked on public art projects in California and Korea. His work focuses on cultural memory and migration themes.
USC Pacific Asia Museum is located in Pasadena and specializes in arts from Asia and the Pacific Islands.
