Dining With Zen

Dining with Zen is an original design concept conceived by Lee Jean-Gilles for the third annual Celebrations event at the Michigan Design Center in Troy. Inspired by ideas and experiences he had while living in Japan, Lee wanted to create a fresh, innovative look for a contemporary, Asian dinner party.

The foundation of Dining with Zen is the table itself. Lee imagined a Zen dinner party and designed a serene and minimalist table for six incorporating the five traditional Japanese Elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit. Dining with Zen creates a spiritual experience which is above everyday living.

The foundation of Dining with Zen is the table itself. Lee imagined a Zen dinner party and designed a serene and minimalist table for six incorporating the five traditional Japanese Elements: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit. Dining with Zen creates a spiritual experience which is above everyday living.

DESIGNER’S STATEMENT
“In this day of stress, we sometimes get caught up in our day to day life and forget that we are part of something bigger. It’s important to remember that when we sit down to have a meal, it’s not only about the food but also about the individuals at the table. What Dining with Zen enables us to do is to reconnect with ourselves, with each other, and with Nature.”
-Lee Jean-Gilles

Dining with Zen was reviewed in The Detroit News. To read the article, click here. Also, please enjoy images of the creation of this unique vignette by clicking the images below.