nendo at galleria antonia jannone

japanese designer nendo will have a private exhibition of his works entitled ‘chair garden’, at galleria antonia jannone during milan design week 2010.

‘dress-up’ (vase)

‘dress-up’ for 361 degrees is a series of three flower vases made in collaboration with ceramic japan, a firm in seto, an area in aichi prefecture historically known for its ceramics. the three forms make up a family: a heavyset ‘father’, a slim ‘mother’ and a smaller ‘child’. from the back, the vases appear like any normal vase, but viewed from the front, each has its own ‘collar’, distinguishing them from one another. the vases play on a similar relationship between the flower and the vase. the finish of the vessels result in a cloth-like texture.

‘period. comma, ‘quote” (paper weight)

these ‘period. comma, ‘quote” paperweights are were made with takada seisukajuo, an aluminum casting specialist firm in toyama prefecture, japan for 361 degrees. the form of the three objects mimic three different types of punctuation so that users can sort their papers by meaning. the ‘period’ is for work which has been completed, the ‘comma’ is for work in progress and the ‘quotation mark’ is designated for messages. keeping in mind the fabrication process when designing each weight, the pieces reflect the form that the aluminium takes as it is poured, as though it took that shape naturally as the aluminum hardened. the results are three gently, tensile shapes. unlike chrome plating, the soft lustre of the hand-buffed surface displays the tiny scratches and tarnishing that occurs over time. however, it is easy to restore the weights’ lustre by polishing them. nendo built this activity into the weights to give owners a way to explore and enjoy the charm of aluminium over time.

‘peel cup’

‘peel cup’ is a small drinking vessel, also for 361 degrees. a small section of this tea mug’s rim has been ‘peeled’ away to allow the tea bag string to escape, and the spoon to remain inside when you drink your tea or put on the lid to carry the mug with one hand. the lid helps steep tea, and can also be used as a small dish for sweets, or to rest a used teabag or spoon. the bases of the cup and lid are recessed for easy stacking and storage.

‘clear perfume bottle’ photos by masayuki hayashi

‘clear’ for 1%, is a perfume bottle filled with nothing. when part of the cap is pulled an atomizer capable of holding 2 mL of perfume appears. is the bottle full of water, or is it filled with air in which soft soap bubbles float? bubbles in the glass give the illusion of either. by giving users this experience of ’emptiness’ the bottle invites them to explore the invisible sensation that is the fragrance.

‘clear perfume bottle’ photos by masayuki hayashi