Talk: Dragons, Myth and Reality

Courtenay McGowen (Mingei International Museum of Art Board of Trustees Chair) will engage the public in a talk about a creature that has been a source of fascination for centuries--the dragon. Nowadays, dragons are fixtures in pop culture, through franchises like How to Train Your Dragon, Dungeons and Dragons, and Game of Thrones. However, the cultural history behind this creature as a type of ancient imagery that is inherited from our species' innate fear of predators is not widely known. Through "Dragons: Myth & Reality," Courtenay will explore the history of dragons in folklore, folk craft, and art from across the world, while challenging participants to question how these creatures of great mythological strength came to be. This lecture is held in conjunction with the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum's ongoing exhibit, Dragons: Exploring the Symbolism Behind China's Most Revered Creature(June 1 2019-January 26 2020).

Admission/Cost: FREE

Location:
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
Chuang Archive & Learning Center
541 B Second Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101


Saturday, December 14 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM