Ziming Han

This collection was inspired by a flower vase with lid made in 1790, which gave me the idea to explore recombination and division. 

I took the lines of simple and common vase shapes to reconstruct the geometry and contrast with the flowers. The detachability gives more interaction between the audience, the vase, and the flower which also provides more possibilities for choice of the height of the vase according to personal preference.

This collection is a development of the Stacking Vase, where I explored the concept of interchangeable elements to increased the interaction between people and the vase. 

The cylinder is the most basic geometric form. By changing the centre line of the joint, which gives a visual impact between balance and unbalance. The shadows created by the light through the arrangement of the vases enhances the sense of layering

For this vase I continued to explore the notion of balance/unbalance through the visual effect of symmetry. I divided the vase to create ambiguity between 2D flat planes and 3D form, which becomes emphasised by light and shadow.

I further developed my ideas of using geometry, balance and division to create a tableware collection. I first worked with 2D drawings, making lines and curves that intersect to cut out circles, then transformed the 2D pattern into 3D structure. I chose to use 3D printing as the most appropriate way to make the models.

Due to the current situation, I had to stay in China to finish my works. Jingdezhen is a famous Chinese ceramic town with a comprehensive ceramic industry.  In Jingdezhen, ceramic craftsmen have a clear division of labour, they have many different workshops for different jobs, such as glazing and casting. Here I had the chance to improve my communication skills with ceramic craftsmen and the understanding of working within Jingdezhen's special industry chain.

Moulding and casting are the most common techniques for industrial ceramics production. Using the slip casting technique ensures a control over consistency for mass-production. 

The Boundary Tableware Collection is designed for fine dining in Cantonese restaurants and the Chinese market. Cantonese restaurants mainly offer dim sum with matching dips, and dishes with sauces. Fine-dining restaurants emphasize the relationships between food, tableware, consumers and the environment. In addition to paying attention to the taste of food, chefs will also focus on the interaction between food and tableware. In the Boundary Tableware Collection, the sauces and food present a sense of flow on the plate through unbalanced structures.

In my view, ceramic tableware is a medium to create an interaction between audience, light, shadow and space. Vases connect flowers with people and space. Tableware connects food with people. I chose to use the simplest geometric shapes in this collection. By dividing and recombining geometric form, I can explore new possibilities. I believe less is more, white porcelain provides a simple canvas for setting off food, flowers, light and shadow.