December 02, 2025
Students from ArtCenter College of Design and Tokyo's Tama Art University Explore How Design Around Food Can Connect People Across Cultures
Pacific Rim 18: TasteMaking LA Pop-up Exhibition
on View at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Features Work by 10 Student Teams
Monday, December 15, 2025
ArtCenter College of Design and JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles present Pacific Rim 18: TasteMaking LA, a special pop-up exhibition of student final projects exploring how design and food culture can bridge people and traditions across continents. In this inspiring and immersive design showcase, students from ArtCenter and Tokyo’s Tama Art University collaborated across cultures to reimagine the rituals of dining through a variety of innovative projects ranging from street food to fine dining, and from tableware and lighting to the social customs that shape how we share a meal.
Led by Dan Gottlieb and Penny Herscovitch, associate professors in ArtCenter’s Spatial Experience Design program, 10 student teams explored diverse cultural perspectives, examining customs, languages and traditions and then proposing responses and design-driven solutions that reflect a shared global vision. The final projects on display in this showcase are the end results of a 14-week studio course and mark the 18th annual Pacific Rim collaborative studio between ArtCenter and Tama. Pacific Rim brings together students studying design at both universities for collaborations that bridge Japan’s and California’s diverse cultures, around themes of global relevance. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles previously hosted the 2019 iteration of Pacific Rim focused on street culture and art, and the 2023 edition centered on finding beauty and meaning in urban chaos.
WHAT:
Pacific Rim 18: TasteMaking LA pop-up exhibition of student projects
Event page: https://www.japanhousela.com/events/pacific-rim-tastemaking-la-artcenter-college-design-showcase-food-culture-student-projects/
Co-hosted with JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
WHEN:
Monday, December 15, 2025
4–6 p.m.
WHERE:
JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
ADMISSION:
Free, no reservation required.
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About ArtCenter College of Design
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. ArtCenter offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide variety of industrial design disciplines as well as visual and applied arts. Renowned for both its ties to industry and its social impact initiatives, ArtCenter is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. Throughout the College’s long and storied history, ArtCenter alumni have had a profound impact on popular culture, the way we live, and important issues in our society.
About JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs – London, Los Angeles, and São Paulo – conceived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding of Japan in the international community. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is a place for new discoveries, offering experiences that showcase the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs. Occupying two floors at Ovation Hollywood, the second floor features an exhibition gallery and WAZA Shop while the fifth floor offers a variety of programs and events at the multi-purpose hall (Salon) and the library. UKA, a Michelin-starred, multi-course kaiseki restaurant, also offers exclusive dining experiences.
Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website: www.japanhousela.com
Media Contact
ArtCenter College of Design
Press Office
pressoffice@artcenter.edu
