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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
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Last weekend, we went to the annual International Furniture Fair Singapore and Hospitality Design Fair 2013! Where different designers from all over the world come together to share tips, design and make new friends. This year, we went to check out the competitions such as FDA, the 48 hours challenge and also how some designers reuse the remnants from our one and only national stadium and turn it into benches.
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Material Explorations for a Better future
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Organized by SFIC and Himpunan Desiner Mebel Indonesia (HDMI), 13 designers from Singapore, Indonesia and Sweden made a memorable journey to Solo City, Indonesia to attend the FutureCraft Workshop. The objective of the workshop was to create new approaches towards modern-day design using traditional materials. They learnt to work with materials such as teak, bamboo, rattan, recycled wood and ceramics.
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| Each designer had to design a piece of furniture using the methods they have learned and incorporate it into their designs. |
A video to explain more about the FutureCraft Workshop and the experiences of their trip.
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| Close up of the 13 Furniture Designs |
Platform 2013.
Where designers from different countries use this space to showcase their designs as well as for schools to showcase their students work!
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| Nafa's 2013 3rd Year Students Works |
Every year, Nafa would get a booth at platform to showcase their 3rd year students works. We had our chance to showcase our works last year and it was a good experience as we got to talk to other designers from other schools as well as traders. Every year, we are given a theme to work on for our designs, this year's theme was Design is a crossroad of Art and Science where they each picked a scientist to be and from there, use different methods of furniture making to create their designs.
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| Nafa's 2012 3rd Year Students Works - What our batch did last year! :) |
Our theme was a Prehistoric Cave cafe, where we had to design furniture that you find in a cafe.
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| Lasalle's 2013 Students Works |
Works by Natanel Gluska, He takes a whole tree stump and using only a chainsaw, he carves out these amazing works of design. Despite the advancement of technology in production methods, he sticks to the tools of a craftsman.
One of his works, which functions as a sound buffer to the user sitting inside. But we happen to try out that it do not work for everyone. He has a collection called Made in Singapore, consisting of the Long 8, V stool as well as the Kopitiam chair.
Moyee,
a monster fish ball designed by Jason Goh, was inspired by his childhood memories. He used to play with
food, and his grandmother would tell him that the fishball will turn
into a monster and eat him.
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| Bernard rollin' around in the Moyee |
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| Study models made out of food items you can find at a fishball noodle stall |
This series called "Makan Time" was done by little thoughts group, inspired by our Singaporean eating habits and traditions.
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| 'Makan Time' by Little thoughts group |
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| "Pantang In Makan" by Chan Wai Lim |
This design consist of a pair of chopsticks, a bowl, spoon, lap napkins and serving plate. And each piece is based on an old wives tales about not eating all your rice or not eating cleanly, you will be "cursed" to be with someone that have pimples all over his/her face, or correct way to hold the utensils and bad habits such as shaking of legs during meals.
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| Our Humble Breakfast designed by Lee Leong Chye |
This design was one that we all could relate to, as it was a breakfast delight that all Singaporean would have come across. We could enjoy our breakfast all in one tray and allow us to appreciate each of the elements.
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| 'NOTA' Mug designed by Lee Hae Seung, Scott |
This mug provides a new experience for Singaporeans as we always tend to hold our spoon with our thumbs while drinking tea or coffee as to prevent the spoon from sliding and poking our face. This NOTA mug is designed to prevent the spoon from moving around in the cup and irritating the user.
We came across a group of Thai Designers from various design studios that shared an exhibition space. they had many interesting designs that have gained media recognition in Japan.
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| Right: View of their exhibition booth. Left: Coat hanger inspired by a plant growing out from under a rock. |
This coat hanger 'Woodpecker' done by Studiobo stood out immediately when we were looking around. This coat hanger have a unique feature that allows the "hooks" which looked like woodpecker birds to be turned in and out of the pole like how woodpeckers peck holes into the wood.
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| Photo Credits to Studiobo |
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| Flat packed and easy to assemble |
'Sim' Series by TakeHomeDesign
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| 'Sim' Series: Consist of Stools, Tables and Chairs |
A charming set of table and chairs made of clean lines and of solid colors. Using solid teakwood for the legs yet designed for flat pack
shipping and using MDF Hi-gloss lacquered top in various colors
featuring pop art look for lively indoor usage.
This series of furniture reminds us of the De Stijl movement of the 1917.
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| Sim square table |
That's all for part 1 of this 2 part post. Stay tune for part 2 where we cover more on the competitions that are being showcase at S*cape, Park Mall and Dhoby Ghaut Green.
-By Pickers
Labels: Chairs, Design, Exhibition, Furniture, IFFS, Interior, Platform, Products, Singapore, Tableware, Utensils, Wood
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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
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By Pickers..
Labels: Cutlery, Design, Past, Singapore, Tableware, Utensils