Gallery Talk: Kaneji Domoto
The Environmental Design Archives would like to thank everyone who attended our first Gallery Talk of the 2019-2020 Academic year! We had an amazing turnout and are so pleased to have been able to share this wonderful collection with all of you. We would also like to thank our speakers: Gary Kawaguchi, The Domoto family, and Gail Dubrow.
The attendees were able to view the exhibition about the life and career of Kaneji Domoto that explores the complex story behind the only American Japanese architect and landscape architect at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian community, in Westchester County, New York in 1944. On display are original correspondence, photographs, and drawings from the Domoto Collection held by the EDA that explore what it meant to be a mid-century American Japanese architect and how Domoto’s life experience and Japanese heritage influenced his work- illuminating the intersections between race, the designed environment, power, access, and ability.
Interspersed below are images from the exhibit and the panel discussion. The panel discussion began with Gary Kawaguchi, author of Living with Flowers: History of the California Flower Market. Gary spoke about the Domoto family in the context of Japanese American history and social life.
Living with Flowers: History of the California Flower Market.
Advertisement for the Domoto Brothers Nursery
Brochure from the 1939 World’s Fair.
Following Gary’s talk about the beginnings of the Domoto Brothers nursery and Kaneji’s early career, three of the Domoto children as well as Kan's nephew, Michael Tsukada, recollected on aspects of their father’s life and career by sharing personal stories and insights about their father.
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Katherine Domoto sharing family photos.
The house the Domoto children grew up in at 16 Union in New Rochelle, NY.
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Kris Marubayashi speaking about her father’s involvement with the Japanese American community.
Homemade Christmas card featuring the Domoto children, made by Kaneji Domoto.
Letter of redress from the Domoto Collection - shown in the exhibit.
Our final speaker of the night was Gail Dubrow who drew on research for her new book, Japonisme Revisited, placing Kaneji Domoto’s story into the broader context of the lives, educational trajectories, and careers of other architects of Japanese ancestry in America.
Gail Dubrow discussing the career of Kan Domoto outside of Frank Lloyd Wright.
1939 World’s Fair invitation.
UC Berkeley’s Botanical Garden, designed by Domoto, shows his matured design pre-Taliesin.
We hope you enjoyed the panel discussion and viewing the exhibition!
Our wonderful audience.
The exhibit will be on view in the Environmental Design Library: Raymond Lifchez and Judith Stronach Exhibition Cases, 210 Wurster Hall until December 16.