Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ahn Chang-ho featured in L.A.’s new public artwork

“Walk a mile in my shoes” unveiled

Susan Ahn Cuddy looks at her father’s footprint on display at the intersection of Jefferson Blvd. and Rodeo Road Thursday. (Kim Young-jae / The Korea Times)

Los Angeles unveiled a new public artwork, “Walk a mile in my shoes,” featuring photos and footprints of 95 shoes of civil rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Korean independence leader Ahn Chang-ho, Thursday.

The display, located in two sites — on the corner of Jefferson Blvd. and Rodeo Road and on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and Jefferson Blvd. — was commissioned by L.A. city officials and created by artist Kim Abeles.

“This artwork was inspired by a wish for all of us to walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther King, Jr. and those who walked in solidarity with the Civil Rights Movement,” the description reads on the artwork’s site.

Herb J. Wesson, city council president, city officials of the Department of Public Works and Cultural Affairs, Abeles and Susan Ahn Cuddy, Ahn’s daughter, attended the opening event.

“The footprint in the display looks the same as the shape of my father’s shoes when I was young,” Cuddy said. “I’m glad this artwork, through which I can remember my father, was set up.”

Abeles, who started planning the project in 2011, said she drew inspiration from the idea that people can’t really understand each other without having actually experienced it themselves.

She said she recognized the significance of Ahn’s role in establishing Korean immigration to the U.S. and that she worked with his grandson, Philip Ahn Cuddy, to create a tile that most closely resembled his footprint.

Each footprint on display includes a QR code that provides detailed information on each activist.

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