You are invited to the McCormick Gallery at the Boston Architectural College on Tuesday, April 7 at 2 pm for a brief gallery talk accompanied by Japanese snacks and cherry blossom tea.  You will explore the exhibition Obento and Built Space: Japanese Boxed Lunch and Architecture.  The exhibition examines the material and social culture of bento boxes, while highlighting how bento boxes inspire architects and designers to think about the potential of emptiness, craft, portability, and sustainability.

Using miniature environments that individuals carry with them as a touchstone for good design, the exhibition explores formal and experiential principles, which you will experience during your visit.  You will have the chance to learn about the story of one manufacturer of bento boxes and the art of making a carefully crafted boxed lunch in relation to the recipient, to the season, and to the maker’s intent.

Like good architecture, bento boxes are ordered and arranged, set within the landscape of furoshiki (cloth that serves as both bag and placemat.)  The bento boxes on display at the BAC are from the collection of Debra Samuels, Japanese food specialist and cookbook author, and work of architects and artists Hiromi Fujii, Sou Fujimoto, KOKO Architecture + Design, Glenn Murcutt, Hiroshi Nakamura, Patkau Architects, and Aat + Makoto Yokomizo.

The exhibit and programming are generously supported by the United States-Japan Foundation and the Boston Architectural College.  Please rsvp by emailing catalina.ianetta@the-bac.edu no later than Tuesday, March 31. Free of charge to the Back Bay community.