As I began my culinary work in California, my curiosity about food expanded into the roots of my own flavor, washoku. Naturally, this curiosity led me toward teaism. I became particularly intrigued by tea room architecture. Why do we create a designated space for the simple act of serving and being served a cup of tea? What unfolds within that room, and how does it shape our experience?
 

Series #1 installation was inspired by Taian — the tearoom designed by Sen no Rikyu, considered to be the ultimate expression of wabi aesthetics, it is rustic and smaller than most tea rooms. At the time, my collaborator/host, Iko Iko Space, was located in a nearly 100-year-old landmark building called The Woman’s Building, which once housed an education center founded in the 1970s to support female artists.

Iko Iko Space occupied the top floor, where soft daylight poured in through the skylights. In that open space, I created a tearoom filled with light.

 

A space for daydream.

Light and flowy.

An unordinary act of tea takes place. 

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