RAD (Research And Development)

Part prototyping laboratory, part community salon, RAD (Research And Development) transforms Lee Gallery into a workspace for engineers, designers, and other leaders from the world of gaming to test hardware for a major original exhibition (opening in Spring of 2025) from visionary game artist Jenova Chen. Catalyzing cross-disciplinary dialogue and encouraging discovery by new audiences, RAD doubles as a venue for monthly public programs showcasing the limitless creativity of the Bay Area’s art/tech community through an eclectic series of performances and presentations.

As part of its strategic initiative to offer dynamic visitor experiences that engage cutting-edge technologies, the Asian Art Museum has presented exhibitions in recent years from some of the world’s most important Asian and Asian American artists working in, or drawing inspiration from, the digital realm. Continuing in this vein, RAD paves the way for the museum’s upcoming collaboration with Chen and his studio thatgamecompany, whose acclaimed releases (including Flow, Flower, Journey, and Sky: Children of the Light) have revolutionized the game world. The RAD laboratory serves as a testing ground for the immersive world of Chen’s 2025 exhibition, which bridges virtual and in-person gameplay.

Credit: Overview from museum website