nao tamura : seasons at salone satellite 2010

spider web installation by nao tamura image © designboom

japanese designer nao tamura presents ‘seasons’, serving containers made of silica sand. nao tamura has won the salone satellite award at the milan salone internazionale del mobile 2010.

‘seasons’

‘in the land where I grew up, spring is a time when japanese sweets come wrapped in cherry leaves. in summer, a fiery ripe tomato is carved out for use as a seving container. in autumn, fallen foliage from maple trees decorates the dinner table. and, the aroma of bamboo helps create the setting for winter. just as winter is followed by spring, there are things that wither and are those born anew. both truisms run deep and are able to move us from our core. is this the cycle that dictates life on earth?’ nao tamura

nao tamura portrait © designboom

‘seasons’ in the spider web image © designboom

‘seasons’ plates

made from silica sand, silicone is the raw ingredient that ceramic and glass are made from. compared to glass, very little energy is needed to create and process silicone. the ability to process it with low-cost equipment creates an opportunity for localized production. long-lasting and resistant, lightweight and flexible, it can be compressed or rolled up for compact shipping. each leaf has its very own shape. in multiples, these plates create a sculptural display of serving artware.

nao tamura’s installation image © designboom

close-up image © designboom

‘seasons’

nao tamura portrait © designboom

‘seasons’

like a real leaf, each serving dish is flexible and multi-purpose. it rolls up for nice presentation and /or compact storage. silicone can be used in an oven or microware, it withstands repeated dishwasher cleaning.