Experience an immersive design showcase in Los Angeles highlighting an inspiring collaboration between Tama Art University (Tokyo, Japan) and ArtCenter College of Design (Pasadena, California). This special exhibition explores how design and food culture can bridge people and traditions across continents, reimagining the rituals of dining through innovative student projects that span from street food to fine dining, and from tableware and lighting to the social customs that shape how we share a meal.

Since 2006, Tama Art University and ArtCenter College of Design have partnered through the Pacific Rim multidisciplinary education collaboration, an ongoing international exchange that addresses themes such as natural disasters, sustainability, ecology, health and well-being, and global food culture through research and design. The program celebrates creative solutions born from cross-cultural dialogue between Japan and the United States.

Through this collaboration, students explore diverse cultural perspectives examining customs, languages, and traditions, then propose responses and design-driven solutions that reflect a shared global vision.

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles previously hosted the 2019 iteration of the Pacific Rim collaborative studio focused on street culture and art, and the 2023 edition centered on finding beauty and meaning in urban life following the pandemic.

This showcase marks the 18th Pacific Rim collaborative studio, featuring final projects from ten student teams. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is delighted to welcome back this program as part of our continued commitment to supporting art, education, and cross-cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan.