Cruising J-Town, book talk with author Oliver Wang

Cruising J-Town, book talk with author Oliver Wang

Co-presented by Angel City Press

Curator and author Oliver Wang will be speaking about Cruising J-Town, which is both a new exhibition from the Japanese American National Museum as well as a companion book from Angel City Press. Both the exhibition and the book look at the 100+ year history of Japanese Americans in Los Angeles and their long relationship to the world of cars and trucks.

Since the earliest days of L.A.’s transformation into an “autotopia,” Japanese Americans have been part of the fabric in which cars and trucks have transformed neighborhoods and cities, changed the fortunes of families and communities, and been vehicles for self-expression and creativity. The overall Cruising J-Town project includes everything from prewar hot rods to 21st century drift racing, humble gardening trucks to tricked-out imports, cutting-edge design centers to neighborhood gas stations.

For this event, Oliver will be drawing on a selection of special stories from Cruising J-Town that highlight the myriad ways in which the Japanese American community has contributed to, and been shaped by, American car culture. That will include mini-histories of postwar fish trucks, WWII-era racing clubs, and even a bit of Hollywood casting lore.

Tickets $10 (in-person event only)

Copies of Cruising J-Town will be on sale in the bookstore!

Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 if you have any questions.

Oliver Wang is a professor of sociology at CSU-Long Beach and author of (Angel City Press) and curator of the companion exhibition for the Japanese American National Museum, , currently open through Nov. 12, 2025 at the Mullin Gallery at the ArtCenter of Design in Pasadena. Dr. Wang is previously the author of (Duke Univ. Press, 2015) and has been a long-time writer on music, arts and culture for outlets including NPR's All Things Considered, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Los Angeles Times, and KCET’s Artbound.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:

Cruising J-Town: Behind the Wheel of the Nikkei Community is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, with additional support from the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Sunco Industries, Co. Ltd., and Don & Ellen Mizota. The media sponsor is The Rafu Shimpo.

A companion book by Wang, with a foreword by George Takei, is published by Angel City Press. The 272-page book, illustrated with vintage and contemporary photographs, will be available to purchase at this event.

Exhibition Dates and Location

On view:July 31–November 12, 2025

Location:Peter and Merle Mullin GalleryArtCenter College of Design, South Campus1111 S. Arroyo ParkwayPasadena, CA 91105

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds for PRS events , except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test. Ticket exchanges may be granted on a case by case basis, pending circumstances.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

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Host or Publisher The Philosophical Research Society