Journey of Porcelain
Heinrich Wang
Faraway, hazy and out-of-focus inertia
Entering fresh and bright sentiments
In the face of declining traditional industries, people begin to say “Culture is a good business”. Dozens of years ago, Y.M.D led by YAMADA in Takamatsu, Japan incorporated eastern minimalism and traditional Japanese casting craft and opened up a successful international market. Five years before that, Addie Powell and Nan Swid swept over the life appliances market in New York with the concept of “Table Industry” proposed by a renowned architect, establishing the cultural image of the brand Swid Powell. The product development of the former brand was mainly dominated by the well-known graphic designer Takenobu Igarashi. From casted fruit bowls, chairs, candleholders to stainless cutlery, the products not only had exquisite quality and modern aesthetics, but also overturned traditional habits and ideas, which encouraged exploration of urban lives and astonished people. The product development of the latter brand depended on the creativity of numerous masters. While the products lacked a consistent style, they had the same design idea, and sprang into fame for their accurate and mature aesthetics and intent to change lifestyles. Their manufacturing process was traditional, but their ideas were innovative.
Do the Right Thing
Many successful examples and designers whose works make into museum collections all prove the trend-as long as the products are seeking innovation and new ideas, either with urban and modern quality, or with local and ethnic elements, they can gain recognition of the market with their originality and practicality. They have an integral concept of product. From ideas to forms, and from forms to functions, they all correspond to senses and cognition, incorporating originality and traditions, novelty and nostalgia, and bring about new life experiences and desire for exploration. Therefore, they complete the construction, interaction and recognition of ideologies. In terms of praxeology and sociology,these products form their own style with cultural events, spiritual resonance and participation in lives.
These products all create new atmosphere and interaction in life with their creative ideas, forms and meanings. This new concept of life creates tastes and recognition, which leads to a new way of living. These products with new ideas manifest a discourse of fashion, indicating ethics of the urban life. With a bit of rebellion, exploration and stimuli, they are accepted by the market for their ideas; either they are minimal or modest, modern or classic, for elite or for general public.
As Alessi incorporated anthropology and semiotics in their product development in the 90s, they decoded the unclear relationship with target audiences, forms, trends, spirits, global visions and customers. This aimed for the strategies that could guide the notions and habits of the market,and create a new mode of consumption that is instant and based on instincts.
The above is the causes and effects of how objects change lifestyles, and how the cultural industry develops their ideas and products. This may guide traditional industries to do things right for the time-it is not only innovation, but also culture.
Inspired by new concepts of culture
industries, Newchi intends to stand out in the porcelain market dominated by classic
European and Japanese brands, and to find a new stage for the declining porcelain
art in our culture.
Life is Consisted of Happiness and Sweetness
Newchi has been developing tea and coffee porcelain sets that used to focus on functions but lack aesthetics. I proposed the concept “a theater on the table”, hoping to design good characters for the table surface, turning everyone into the director of their own life. By arranging different plots and visual and tactile senses while drinking and eating, emotions are maximized. Feeling of the solemn golden liquid and the lush aroma of tea and coffee fill tedious time with flavors. Even a sip of water, tea or coffee can be a sacred and wonderful experience that triggers passion for life. Taste has grown from then, reaching lasting happiness.
Like ancient empires, this pitcher inspired by Shan and Zhou copper appliances has a narrow waist, straight chest, rising head and vertical handles, making it solemn and modest. The ease and confidence are displayed with the thick cup handle and the simple curve of the saucer. The multiple layers impart a sense of dignity.
Life should be full of senses, life the
pleasant ripples brought by the wind on peaceful water surfaces.
Reminiscence of Empires
Simplicity and Clarity of Taste
Traditional
round shapes and functions are transformed into forms with clear lines and
accurate structures, challenging visual and tactile senses. The innovative shapes
and functions provoke people’s curiosity. Formed by history, traditions and
culture, it reminds us to cherish and to feel the abundance of time and life.
The
process conducted at 1260℃ causes the porcelain
clay to contract 15% in size. The exquisite lines, curves and surfaces are thus
lost during the process. It is simple to have whimsical ideas, while achieving them
is difficult. Extreme resolution is required. To prevent distortion of shapes,
every piece of porcelain clay is accompanied by intricate sustaining devices in
the kiln. With the high demand of time, materials and efforts and high chance
of failure, this revolution of craft and fashion can only be accomplished by
Newchi with their determination and persistence.
