Grains of Change: A Festival of Rice Across East Asia

Grains of Change is a celebration of the cultures of East Asia—in China, Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Japan—through one of the region’s most fundamental staples: rice. This evening program roots global traditions in local community, bringing New York–based artists, restaurants, cultural organizations, and vendors together through rice as both a cultural cornerstone and a symbol of sustainability. 

Throughout the evening, we will explore how rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and biodiversity loss are transforming agriculture across East Asia and here at home. By pairing science with cultural expression and community voices, the event invites audiences to reflect on the connections between what we eat, how we grow, and how we sustain each other in a changing climate. 

You’ll have the opportunity to: 

• Sample East-Asian rice bites produced by local bakery Win Son Bakery and the rice factory New York
• Watch a live mochitsuki (mochi pounding), and learn how rice and ritual are deeply intertwined 
• Observe Chinese calligraphy in the making, and take a piece of art home with you 
• Hear from experts and scientists at our lightning lectures on rice and climate change and take part in hands-on activities in the Climate Learning Lab 
• Play mahjong, or stop by a beginner class with Green Tile Social Club
• Learn about Mongolian paleontology with the Institute for the Study of Mongolian Dinosaurs
• Explore the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium and the Invisible Worlds immersive experience 
• Sip soju cocktails from NYC Korean American-owned business JUMO, with drink ticket purchase
• Wander through the Gilder Center to beats by DJ Suika Bezier, and take photos in front of a Designs by Ahn floral installation
• Browse a curated pop-up marketplace featuring original works from local East-Asian American artists and vendors 

Lightning Lectures 

• The Story of Rice: A Tale in Genomics and Archaeology 
  Through studies of the genome of rice, and weaving in the latest archaeological finds, Michael Purugganan, New York University dean of Faculty of Arts and Science and professor, tells the story of how rice became domesticated in Asia and spread across the world in the last 9,000 years.  

• Rice, Climate, and the Future of Japanese Food 
  Explore how climate change is transforming rice cultivation in Japan and the impact on Japanese cuisine globally with Jun Mattison, manager at the rice factory New York. Learn about challenges facing traditional rice farming and innovative solutions being developed to preserve quality and sustainability. 

Afternoon Lecture | 3-4 pm, Linder Theater

Visiting the Museum during regular hours on Thursday, January 22? Join us at 3 pm for a related lecture (free with Museum admission, no RSVP required).

• Domestication and the Evolution of Crops
  Domesticated plants and animals are central to human life, providing systems that support societies around the world. In this lecture, Michael Purugganan, New York University dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science and professor, explores what domestication can teach us about evolution and shares recent research on the histories of rice and date palms.