By Amy Yang:
Divine Immersion: The Experiential Work of Nick Dong is now showing at the University of Southern California’s Pacific Asia Museum, from July 8 to October 3. Each art piece from Divine Immersion is a journey for self-evolution and has scientific and handmade elements implemented into them, such as movements, lights, and sound.
Nick Dong was born in Taipei, Taiwan and immigrated to America in 1999. He went to Tun-Hai University in Taiwan and received his Master of Fine Arts in metalsmithing and jewelry from University of Oregon. Nick’s art pieces mix spiritual inquiry, social healing, and many different forms of art media. Dong has taught at California College of the Arts in Oakland, Chu-Jai-Jao Specialty High School in Shanghai, Musée Tomo in Tokyo, Mart Tiller in Taipei, Gallery FLUX in San Francisco, and the University of Oregon in Eugene.
Five experiential works are a part of Divine Immersion: The Experiential Work of Nick Dong.
1. Divine Moments
Divine Moments is a series where he collaborated with composers to compose original soundtracks for each art piece. Then, with the help of engineers and levitating technology, Nick Dong’s sculptures performed a choreographed dance.
2. Immersion
Immersion is where visitors take place on one of the mats provided and pay attention to the absence of noise. It is a meditation experience, and the visitors get the chance to wind down.
3. Becoming Horizon
This art experience was inspired by how the universe was created. Sound and light in this kinetic sculpture are meant to be inspired by the Big Bang.
4. Heaven
This is a mirrored space where visitors let their fears and personal possessions go.
5. Mendsmith Project
This live-crafting social service project, from July 15 to July 25, was used to bring positivity to grief. Nick asks visitors who are recovering from a loss to bring two pieces of jewelry. One from themselves and one from their loved ones. The visitors will share their stories, and Nick will find the beauty and joy from that object and have the visitors embrace new possibilities.
Go and support Nick Dong and check out some of his amazing artistic experiences at Divine Immersion: The Experiential Work of Nick Dong.
Click on the link below to purchase tickets for Divine Immersion.