If you’ve ever been to a Japanese traditional inn, you may have encountered the very same thing witnessed by designer and artist Norihiko Terayama: empty vessels and pots that are on display, without serving their intended purpose. What does it mean when the only thing asked of a flower pot is to sit quietly and exude presence. For Terayama, it meant that the function of the vessel’s shape and form had taken a back seat. What was more important was that it was simply there.
This epiphany lead Terayama on an investigative design process to explore what happens to a vessel when it is wrapped with the form or decoration, elements that now outperform the function of the vessels original roles.
If you enjoy Terayama’s work, he currently has an exhibition of works, of which these vessels are a part of. The exhibition of works is on display at Our Favorite Shop (that’s the name of the space) in Tokyo through June 3, 2018. We also carry some of his work in our shop.
June 2, 2018 at 9:02 pm
Japan, land of never-ending design delights. I love it and hope to get back one day soon.