Chinese Historical Society of America
965 Clay Street, San Francisco CA
2022
In collaboration with the Bruce Lee Foundation, the Chinese Historical Society of America and assisted by Pablo Ruiz Arroyo. Projection mapping animation by Macrowaves and music by Mike Dinkins and De’Ahna Turner.
Growing up in the Bay Area, we’ve always looked up to Bruce Lee. An icon, a legend and hero to many, his philosophies, internal and external strength, heart and drive set him apart from anyone who has ever lived. In our mural we wanted to portray him as “The Bridge,” a connection between people of all kinds throughout history. He transcends time and space to a place where he becomes a part of us (a unified people from before, now and in the future) and we, a part of him.
Quantum physics is the entire measurement of nature- reality in its completeness. Bruce Lee's philosophy was that the quantum field is all around us- we are not independent from it but interconnected and part of a greater totality. Everything is part of everything. We portrayed the idea of the quantum field and Ying/Yang energy emanating behind Bruce Lee in his snake pose. Circling him is a Chinese dragon (Bruce Lee was born in the year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac and the dragon also represents strength and the cycle of life.)
We depicted the life cycle of water to reflect Bruce Lee’s life and legacy, as it relates to our own. Water is in this sense eternal as are we. Water evaporates into the atmosphere, comes down in a snowmelt run off, and later becomes waves crashing down in the ocean before rising up again. Only water can exist in all three states of matter. “Be Like Water.” Bruce Lee said that water is formless. “It can flow or it can crash.” Water flows through us. It also reacts to energy and stores memory.
Our mural connects Bruce Lee’s journey from Hong Kong, Seattle, Southern California and the Bay Area. We also wanted to portray some of the important figures in Bruce’s life (depicted in the bubbles), from influencers, mentors, family and people who are now influenced by his life and philosophy.
Lee Hoi- Chen and Grace Ho
Linda Lee Cadwell
Yip Man
Jesse Glover
Brandon and Shannon Lee
Taky Kimura
Wren Lee
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
James Yimm Lee
Sterling Silliphant
Dan Inosanto
Juju Chan
Wu- tang clan
Jim Kelly
Esmeralda Falcon
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Muhammed Ali
Ryusei Imai
Bruce Lee’s legacy and teachings will continue to inspire and live on through future generations as people yearn to find ways to connect with one another and become greater versions of themselves.