2024 Year of the Dragon
Early China to LEGO
The dragon has captivated the Asian continent for thousands of years. This exhibition explores the representation of the dragon over the span of a millennium and three Asian countries. It demonstrates how the form and function of dragon imagery have drastically evolved over time.
Representations of the dragon in China appear as early as the Neolithic period (ca. 7000–1700 BCE). Dragons were believed to possess a number of powers, including the ability to change size, breathe clouds, control the waters, and create rain. As the role of the dragon evolved, it was adopted as a symbol of the Chinese emperor during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.). As the imperial association with the emperor grew stronger, it reached a new height during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), when the five-clawed dragon became an image that was reserved for the emperor. A symbol of strength and power, the emperor was at one time referred to as “The Dragon.” Similarly in Korea, where the dragon was an auspicious and powerful creature symbolizing good fortune, the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) chose the dragon as their emblem.
The evolution of the form and function of the dragon image is represented through the art in this exhibition. Prior to the fall of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), fine materials such as jade and ivory were used to create dragon imagery. It is apparent in the workmanship that many of these objects were created for the emperor or high-ranking nobility. However, after the Qing Dynasty, both the form and function of the image of the dragon drastically changed and became accessible to everyone.
Today, the image of the dragon is found all across the world. The dragon has been represented in every medium imaginable and is used in everyday objects. In this exhibition, we see the image of the dragon on a Japanese enamel cigarette case. A dragon intertwines itself on the base of a silver champagne holder from the Mandarin Hotel. A child’s LEGO toy is built in the form of a mythical dragon. The dragon is found on a household trivet from China and even on postage stamps.
A creature once venerated for its ability to bring rain to fertilize the lands is now seen throughout the world as a decorative motif for everyday objects. Although the dragon is no longer revered as a bringer of rain or associated with imperial authority, the image of the dragon still evokes the same sense of power and mysticism that established it as a multi-cultural wonder thousands of years ago.
The Heritage Museum is extending the 2024 Year of the Dragon Exhibition till the end of the Lunar New Year, February 2025, providing the community with more performances, workshops, and engagements collaborating with local artists.
Related Programs
If the Sky Could Dream, created by the Heritage Museum of Asian Art's resident artist 2024 Irene Hsiao, running from February through January 2025.
Guardians of the Earth and Sky, created by the Heritage Museum of Asian Art's resident artist 2024 Irene Hsiao, performances from July through August 2024.
The Dragon Within: Loong and Global Symbols, workshops, performances, and collaboration with local artist starts September through February 2025.
If the Sky Could Dream
February 9th, 2024 & Additional Performances/Workshops
Join the Heritage Museum of Asian Art's Artist in Residence Irene Hsiao to experience her new interactive and performance series. If The Sky Could Dream focuses on the Chinese dragon as a powerful being that fosters harmony. Representing the Chinese Dragon as a water deity, the installation series will feature images and projects of weather and local bodies of water in Chicago.
Guardians of the Earth and Sky
July 13, Calumet Park | July 29, Palmisano Park |
August 17, Garden of the Phoenix
Come on an adventure with the Four Celestial Guardians: the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Azure Dragon of the East, and the Vermilion Bird of the South!
Explore seasons, elements, colors, and constellations through storytelling, music, and dance in this interactive performance directed by Heritage Museum of Asian Art Resident Artist Irene Hsiao in collaboration with tai chi master Peter Wong, dancers Amanda Maraist and Darling Shear, musicians Paige Brown and Hunter Diamond, visual artist Young Kim, and storyteller Penny Li.
Altogether, this multicultural cast is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, French, English, Japanese, Korean, and Swahili – and the performance is created in collaboration with participants of all ages, who will be invited to speak, sing, dance, and create artwork with us.
The Dragon Within: Loong and Global Symbols
September, 2024 through February, 2025
This program explore how mythical creatures like dragons persist in cultural spaces and everyday life. Through workshops, performances, dance, music, and roundtable discussions, the program fosters creative experiences in collaboration with local artists and cultural organizations.
Heritage Museum of Asian Art is a non-profit organization with IRS 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.
Accessibility
3500 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60609
312-842-8884
Workshops