Tropical Modernism Revisited: A Global Perspective at East-West Center

On March 29, 2025, Dean Sakamoto joined a distinguished panel of ten invited professionals and scholars for Tropical Modernism Revisited symposium organized by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and Docomomo US_Hawaii. The event fostered a dynamic discussion on the significance of design, innovation, and their positive impacts on both the built and natural environments across the global community.

During the discussion, Dean Sakamoto delivered an engaging presentation on Vladimir Ossipoff (1907–1998), titled: Adaptive Modernism, Vladamir Ossipoff's Liberty Bank in Chinatown, Honolulu. Sakamoto highlighted Ossipoff’s pioneering approach to modern design, showcasing how he blended timeless architectural principles with modern ideals, client needs, and the specifics of Hawai‘i’s subtropical urban landscapes.

It was a full day of compelling talks by speakers from Brazil, Australia, Africa, South East Asia, South Asia, Mexico, California, and Hawai'i at the I.M. Pei designed, Jefferson Hall on the East-West Center Campus, ending with a lively Q&A with the audience.

For more information click HERE

SHADE is proud to announce another new member of the Institute's Advisory Board

Mark Enomoto’s graphic design career has spanned a diverse range of challenges, from print to digital design and even marine-themed projects. With a BFA and MFA in graphic design, he worked across various mediums and technologies, witnessing the shift from traditional hand skills to the early days of Mac-based design software. Enomoto eventually transitioned into user experience design and management before stepping away from the field. He now spends his time learning woodworking and renovating his mid-century modern Ossipoff home.

SHADE is proud to announce a new member of the Institute's Advisory Board

Jacob Reidel examines and advances the purpose, value, and potential of architectural practice. His work—spanning practice, research, publication, and teaching—is grounded in the conviction that while architecture and the people who create physical spaces have existed for millennia, the practice and the profession of architecture are comparatively new and unstable frameworks, subject to reconsideration and redesign. He is assistant professor in practice of architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, a licensed architect in New York where he co-chairs the AIA New York Future of Practice Committee, and is co-founder and editor of CLOG.

Reception for Art of Design: Swiss Posters, 1950-2022

Thank you everyone for coming to our reception of the Art of Design: Swiss Posters, 1950-2022. It was a great night enjoying the posters with food from Pig and the Lady, a silent auction, and a short film about Tom Strong and his collection of Swiss Posters.

We also had gracious speeches from Dean Sakamoto, SHADE Executive Director, Ambassador Balz Abplanalp, Consul General of Switzerland in San Francisco, and Theres Ryf Desai, Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Hawai’i

If you missed the reception, we have gallery hours 11am – 2pm Tuesdays - Saturdays or by appointment: (808) 591-5558 until March 7, 2025

Entry: $10 (Cash, Paypal, Venmo)

99 N. King Street, Honolulu HI, 96817 (the corner of Maunakea Street in Chinatown)

If you would like to purchase any of the posters, click HERE, to see which posters are still available.

Visit our Reception page for photos of the event

New Chinatown exhibit puts Swiss posters in the spotlight

Check out the interview on Hawaiʻi Public Radio about our art exhibition, Art of Design: Swiss Posters, 1950-2022 (HERE)

“Nothing beats good design, and we have gotten wind of a new exhibit that is about to open later this month. It puts Swiss posters in the spotlight. They are the heart of graphic design and eye-popping travel posters.

HPR talked to Dean Sakamoto, executive director of SHADE Institute, about an inaugural exhibit at the historic building in downtown Chinatown that he recently bought to preserve something worth saving.”

- Catherine Cruz