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An Exhibition & Launch of Ono Rina's New Works & Asahikawa Wooden Wares
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We were immediately drawn to the wood works that were on display. The products were made to Japanese standard of clean lines and simplicity. They were so well crafted, that we were told that are customers who questioned whether these products are usable.
The highlights of the exhibition were tables wares made from commonly used materials in various production methods.
Wooden tableware were a mixture of designs by Ono Rina, Oji Masanori and Takahashi Hidetoshi.
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| Ono Rina |
Cara series by Ono Rina, is a series of delicate "egg-shaped" goblets and plates combines whittling techniques to create very thin sides and the natural warmth of wood. The soft curves of tablewares in the series, made with Hokkaido - grown linden, fit naturally in one's hand.
Our thoughts:
We felt very familiar to the wood that our first reaction was to feel it. The thin sides and smooth surfaces were so well crafted actually made us wish that we have the craftsman skills of precision.
Another set of wooden tableware were the Kami series by Takahashi Hidetoshi and Oji Masanori. This series of mostly drinking vessels is made from sen (castor aralia) trees using a lathe. The items in the series are thin enough to allow the light to pass when held up to a light source, and hence the name kami (paper). The sides of kami cups are only about 2mm thick. The feel of wood on one's lips is very warm and gentle.
Our thoughts:
Coming from a design school, we had a chance to use the wood lathe machine ourselves, and there was a limitation on how thin it can go before breaking off and having to redo it over and over again. Patience, skills and experience are definitely needed for this...
Futagami Cutleries
Another great design by Oji Masanori is the Futagami cutleries set made with a strong contrast of body of gold and a silver head. The cutlery rest also called the shooting star or Ryusei in Japanese, proves to be a wonderful design pleasing to both the senses of touch and sight. Made with an IHADA finished, or crude casting surface. Due to this nature, the body will go through a transformation of colors, due to oxidization. And not only that, through constant usage of it, the richer and subtler the body of the cutleries become. The silver coated head of the cutlery set when put in one's mouth, has been proven antibacterial and has no metallic taste or smell but is also hygienic and beautiful.
Our thoughts:
When we first set our sight on the cutlery set, we were so drawn into it. The golden rough texture of the brass body and the smooth silver head proved to be a match made in heaven. The technique used give the users a different sense of touch as well as made it look unique.
Design is never dead, is ever evolving. You can always teach an old dog some new tricks.
By Pickers..
Labels: Craft, Design, Exhibition, Japanese, Products, Supermama, Tableware, Wood