Celebrated Angeleno Artist Greg Ito Unveils Short Film in Homage to Kikori Rice Whiskey
Fresh off a starring role at Frieze L.A., Angeleno native Greg Ito unveiled his latest art installation Wednesday night: a short film that pays homage to his grandmother and the nature that inspired the female-owned spirit brand Kikori Rice Whiskey. The event, held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, featured installations created by Ito and Japanese-inspired cocktails sponsored by Kikori Rice Whiskey, which was founded by Korean-American Ann Soh Woods, whose childhood adventures in Japan inspired her brand. The film is centered on following a lantern carried by Kikori's Woodsman logo as it travels through the mountainous forests of Kumamoto, where the whiskey is distilled, along with volcanic lava symbolizing the region's rich soil in which the rice used to make the spirit grows, and delicate cherry blossoms - part of the nature that inspired Woods to open her company in 2015.
Now as one of the only Asian American women in the liquor industry, Woods is also expanding her reach and brand into the art community. As part of that, and to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month, she collaborated with Ito, she says, to "explore heritage, resilience, and the spirit of craft through a new short film inspired by Kikori's roots in Japan. Kikori is proud to support creative voices like Greg's and champion stories that celebrate culture with heart and purpose."Ito's wife and young daughter were in attendance at the event. The little girl's favorite rocks were part of her daddy's installation. As the evening came to a close, Woods made the announcement that Kikori had made a $10,000 donation to the JACCC a vital donation that will fund their ikebana program, as well as other creative workshops.
This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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