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Minutes before the closing of the shop, we had managed to some sight of the plates that were launched awhile back. It was a competition held some time ago back in March, It was to design icons, culture or anything that Singaporeans can relate to. The winner, will then have his or her design be crafted out into porcelain plates. Apart from the design, those plates were beautifully crafted.
Snow white porcelain plate that were crafted by Japanese craftsmen with so much perfection, patience and pride. Overall with the designs imbued into those plates, it was a sight to behold, much joy for one to look at it.
It was really great that S U P E R M A M A had collaborated with traditional craftsmen to come out with those pieces. We felt that it can and will allow Singaporean to appreciate trades of the old once more. As we all know, Singapore today had developed to a metropolis, crafts like porcelains making or any other crafts are a rare sight these days. Because modern manufacturing methods has overshadowed hand crafts in order to meet the demands of the people, and many has closed down because it was no longer capable of sustaining the business.
Living in Singapore, we all should learn to take a step back to enjoy such simplicity because as we delves further into the next decade. Such things may no longer exist amongst us, but that to of museums or libraries. So interested readers, you may want to take some time off to head to 8Q. it is located on the right hand side of the Singapore Art Museum, directly across the road. A small nice shop which you cannot and should not miss.
Singapore Icons
Curated by S U P E R M A M A
From Another Time / εΎζ°ζε
Curated by ampulets
Additional product to share from the shop.
-By Pickers
Labels: Competition, Concept Store, graphic, Product Design, Products, Singapore, Supermama, Tableware, the making, Traditional, X KIHARA
was posted at 14:54 with 0 comments
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An Exhibition & Launch of Ono Rina's New Works & Asahikawa Wooden Wares
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During the weekend, we were invited to 8Q @ the Singapore Art Museum, for an exhibition called ISSHO - Together. That was curated by Supermama, a local design studio.
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
























