An art exhibition that brings together students and makers from Japan, Thailand, and California.

Worlds collide between California, Japan, and Thailand in the epic convergence that was FUTURE CRAFT Japan + Thailand. This two week field research trip and exhibition brought together students from ArtCenter College of Design in California and Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan to envision opportunities for design with a social impact on the design community in Northern Thailand.

The purpose of the trip was to think about the intersection of handcraft and digital technology, natural material innovation and traditional Thai craftsmanship. The results of their work was then exhibited at Tama Art University in Tokyo.
The two-week trip allowed students to explore local crafts like weaving, metal, lantern-making, natural fiber & wood craft. The program was driven by new applications of eco-fiber and Lanna craft techniques. Penny Herscovitch & Dan Gottlieb, Associate Professors, Environmental Design Department at ArtCenter College of Design said of the project:
The Future Craft Thailand studio challenged students to create designs that extend Northern Thai craft traditions to global markets, create value for artisan villages, and innovate with renewable natural materials. The exhibit at Tama Art University Tokyo showcased the Future Craft Thailand furniture, lighting & home goods with a dramatic backdrop of shadow projections of Thai crafts.
Collaboration acro...