Los Angeles, CA – The Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles is pleased to announce the opening of its new exhibition “Rooftops & Backyards: Expanding Taipei & LA”, organized by Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles with  Jimenez Lai, founding partner of Los Angeles-based studio Bureau Spectacular. The exhibition features creative urban models, short films, and drawings of Taipei and Los Angeles that explore the issue of limited space in densely populated urban areas, and how the subject is dealt with differently in Taiwan and America.

The exhibition demonstrates an interesting comparison between the two cities, according to Lai, whereas Los Angeles practices a kind of “backyard urbanism” or  horizontal expansion, Taipei’s expansion is vertical, extending upwards as a form of “rooftop urbanism”. For the Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles, this exhibition is particularly timely and relevant since it applies the universal urban experience as a starting point to delve into topics surrounding art, architecture, urbanism, and the way of life between the cultures of Taipei and Los Angeles. The Taiwan Academy hopes to encourage exchange and dialogue between Taiwan and the United States through this exhibition.

Most recently, the state of California decided to amend its housing policy to allow for Accessory Dwelling Unit's (ADUs) to provide additional rental housing to address the housing crisis in California. The need for more affordable housing options is an issue that is prevalent among not only American cities but the world over.

In addition to an artist talk by Jimenez Lai, the opening reception will also feature a roundtable discussion with Dr. Hitoshe Abe, Founder of Atelier Hitoshi Abe and Director of

the UCLA Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies, Co-Executive Director

of LA Más, Elizabeth Timme, and Professor Ching-yueh Roan(via video conference), renowned Taiwanese architect, artist, and author, who also teaches at the Arts and Design Department of Yuan Ze University. The open conversation will explore the possibilities of expanding buildable space within the context of Los Angeles and Taipei. Guests are invited to participate in the Q&A that will follow.

The opening reception and artist talk will take place at 6 p.m. on May 10th, 2018. Visitors at the exhibit can receive coupons for Lollicup Westwood, which can be used for discounted boba and popcorn chicken. To attend this event, guests are welcome to RSVP for free at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-reception-rooftops-backyards-expanding-taipei-la-tickets-45456358191?aff=es2. Tickets are limited and given at a first come first serve basis.

The exhibition is open through July 7, 2018. Visitors at the exhibit can receive coupons for Lollicup Westwood, which can be used for discounted boba and popcorn chicken. Taiwan Academy’s gallery space is located at 1137 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024. The gallery hours run from Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 4pm.