Asian in America: A Culinary Virtual Reality Comes to the Japanese American National Museum

Studio ATAO is partnering with the Japanese American National Museum this Lunar New Year to present a special rendition of its flagship series, Asian in America​ on January 23.

Asian in America ​is a culinary-based storytelling experience that explores the narrative of the Asian American identity through food and drink, virtual reality, spoken word and poetry. Over the course of a six-course seated dinner, guests interact with both poetry and virtual reality creations that explain the symbolism behind the ingredients, cooking techniques and final plating of every dish. Each course tackles a different topic within the trials and triumphs of the Asian-American identity, from cultural hierarchies in the food system and the lack of individualism granted to minorities, to the internalization of the “white savior” complex.

Asian in America (Stacey Salter Moore)

Since its official debut at New York City’s Museum of Food and Drink in August 2018, ​Asian in America​ has been nominated for the ​Future of Storytelling’s​ Bridging the Divide Award and featured on the Tribeca Film Institute’s Virtual Reality channel. ​Asian in America ​is now beginning its second year touring across North America after having made stops at institutions such as the James Beard House (NYC), the Hawai’i International Film Festival (Honolulu) and the Culinary Institute of America (Napa Valley), amongst others.

Asian in America ​is the first exhibition of its kind, fusing food and emerging technology with a social mission, gathering communities of all backgrounds to better understand, reflect and discuss their unique perspectives on the minority experience. Here’s a trailer of the experience.

Cocktail Hour ​(​Ticketed​): Thursday, January 23 at 5:30 p.m.

https://www.universe.com/events/studio-atao-presents-asian-in-america-january-23-2020-tickets-QJBH9R

Dinner (T​icketed): ​Thursday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m.