The followings are the exhibits Cong Ma will bring to our showcase of 'Craft Transcendence: Chinese Contemporary Objects' at Maison & Objet Paris during 7-11 September 2018.
Size: 550x2170x40 (6pieces)
Water Rhyme is a series of screens with abstract pattern of double-sided embroidery, a craft of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. The pattern that looks like flowing clouds or water waves has an elegant yet powerful form, which is a perfect expression of the Chinese aesthetics. The tension between ‘empty and full’ and the poetic beauty of ‘Sun and Moon Shining on Gold and Silver" flows in the dazzling embroidery.
This series combines traditional Chinese wood furniture crafts with embroidery techniques, carrying out a fresh and modern interpretation of the oriental aesthetics.
The other side of the screen is in wine red colour, simple and elegant. Through the iconic colour, you can have a glimpse of the connotation of eastern beauty, of the classic stories in ancient times, of the glory of Han and Tang Dynasties, and of the charm of the unique traditional culture.
The idea was inspired by the floral wood window used in traditional Chinese gardens. Ma translated them into modern design language by using three plain geometric figures. The artwork is decorated with auspicious flowing water patterns to bring luckiness and success to lives.
By using modern visual expression and abstract pattern, the design represents a romantic and splendid garden landscape of southern China. The shadow on the screen is a virtual expression of the view outside the window. Looking from different angles, the shadow of bamboo and water waves changes constantly, which shows the grace of nature and ethereal tranquillity. It mixes the virtual and the reality, light and shadow. It is a poem and a dream.
Materials: Fine Silver, Red Copper
Size: 480x240x88
The work mirrors a philosophy of living based on the inconstant moon. The philosophical thinking and wisdom become vivid under ‘Mokume Gane’, a unique intangible cultural heritage craft dealing with fine silver and red copper with 38 layers. All the quiet grace with images of simplicity brings you a strong sense of belonging in the universe, together with the charms in a Chinese poem: “Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again. The moon is bright or dim and it may wax or wane.”
The half-moon-shaped flower holder brings a visual contrast between the smooth shining arc and the dim fragments. The application of silver makes the ‘moon’ brighter with a cold feeling. You can also find a shape of the quarter moon like a solitary inside the half-moon. The reflection on the mirror surface of the base resembles a full moon. The different shapes of the moon we see is a metaphor for our changing and unpredictable life.
The beautiful ripples are shaped by Mokume Gane techniques, just like a bright moon rises above the sea. This work in its simple form is a good combination of the Eastern beauty and philosophy.
Material: lacquer
Size: A 350X190, B 300x180, C 120x155
The idea is inspired by imperial bell used in Qing dynasty and it has a fully integrated body with simplicity and elegance. It adopts the contemporary technique of multiple-layer painting with careful polishing so it looks as shiny and smooth as jade. It is decorated with auspicious patterns of dragon and phoenix in an artistic and dramatic form as a homage to the classics while showing personality. Different sizes are available for various space, either used as standalone decoration or in a group.
Materials: Silk Gauze, Refined Chinese Lacquer, African Blackwood
Size: 570x570x60
The design creatively combines two intangible cultural heritages: carved red lacquer and double-sided embroidery. Through montage, the abstract water pattern seems to be separated but actually well-connected. One can easily associate the design with a picture of embracing joy and pleasure in the flourishing life like a rising tide.
Materials: Silk Gauze, Refined Chinese Lacquer, African Blackwood
Size: 570x570x60
This screen elegantly redefines the traditional ink painting, depicting a life of ease and leisure through double-sided embroidery. The creative use of eggshell as a key medium material for lacquer painting makes the beautiful ice-crack patterns.
Materials: Silk Gauze, Refined Chinese Lacquer, African Blackwood
Size: 570x570x60
Inspired by the Taoism story of Chuang Chou dreaming of a butterfly, it links the ‘pineapple’ lacquer craft to double-sided embroidery to depict the flying track of butterfly in the real and the imagined world. It is a reflection towards the real and fake, carrying the desire for freedom and a wonderful life.
Size: Plate:A 355x25 B 220x25 C 220x25 D 220x25 Teapot:160x68 Teacup:65x27 Large coffee cup:100x63 Large saucer:124x14.5 Espresso cup:73x54 Espresso Saucer:115x14.5
The tableware collection takes its inspiration from ZaoJing, the dome of the Chinese traditional architecture appears in some gorgeous royal buildings such as the ones in the Forbidden City. It was believed as the communicating medium between the ancient Emperor and Heaven.
It combines ZaoJing’s colourfulness and geometry with the delicate smoothness of the bone china. Its elegance and exquisiteness make it a great fit for banquets and family dinners. The cup set in this series is highlighted with an aspiring motto in Chinese and English on the edge of each cup, which provides relief and power for the users in everyday life.
Material: lacquer
Size: A 142x96x180 B142x142x300 C diameter140x250 D 145x116x200
Inspired by the lattice window in traditional Chinese gardens, the white porcelain vase opens a dialogue between the lattice window and lacquer art with brand-new expressions and aesthetic concepts. One flower is a world. The two-dimensional pattern of lattice window has been transformed into a three-dimensional version to bring the unique visual experience.
The craft of lacquer and ceramics is an art that carries Chinese culture for thousands of years. Different types of flowers can match the lacquer vase and combine into different styles, so the users can easily touch the beauty of living space.
Inspired by the reflections of life in the desert, the teapot is shaped as a muscular horseshoe with wavelike texture on the surface, symbolising the desert’s desire for flowing water. The handle looks like hook, bow or a crescent moon, connected to the teapot in the shape of the hand guard. ‘Mokume Gane’ is applied to this product: melting down metals including silver and red copper under high temperature and pressure, and then cropping, twisting and forging to make the special texture like wood grain, rippling water, or boundless sand dunes. The pottery cups, easy to handle in a special shape, are weighty with a silver-rimmed bottom.
The tea set is inspired by the classic Chinese garden with a harmonious combination of elements such as moon gate, Taihu stone, carved windows, ripples on the lake, etc. It brings the classic taste of Chinese gardens and the exquisite craftsmanship into the pot and cups.
The handle was inspired by the image of the moon gate in classic Chinese gardens, in the shape of a bridge to connect with the teapot. The lid of the teapot is topped by a ‘Taihu stone’ as the knob. The interlayer of the silver cup makes it easier to hold when the content is hot; the outer layer hollows all kinds of carved windows.
By using silver and copper to recreate the gold-wood-grain technique originated from the ancient pile paint in Tang Dynasty. It is the process of accumulating 38 layers of silver and copper, forging and pressing into silver plate through high temperature and high pressure, then finishing with thump, forge and engrave.
The handle of the Zisha tea set takes traditional Peking opera's action of swinging sleeves as the original shape. The knob is inspired by Peking opera's eye makeup, expressing the tenderness. Take the shape of water drop for the body, looking down, the knob and handle, feels like a beating melody. Tea set has used famous intangible cultural heritage: the Zisha firing technique. The set of a pot with four cups, the shape of cup base is similar to the shape of the carved window in classic Chinese Garden, the side shape follows water waves in order to transmit Peking Opera culture through a simple and modern art design.
Zisha ware, made by special Zisha clay from Yixing, firing at 1200 degrees, has the speciality of heat preservation and antiseptic that keeps tea fresh for few days.
The inspiration came from the ‘World Tower’ Dabao-en Temple of Buddhists in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. This tower has been recognised as one of the seven wonders of the medieval world.
‘Echo’ tea set consists of three pieces that are seamlessly integrated into a balanced and structured order. Pot and cups are within convenient hand reach. The bottom layer is a container plate and from its middle are placed three layers – tray, cover and saucer, with well-constructed slots for a pyramid layout. The octahedral shape of pot lid is derived from the flying eaves of the pagoda, pot body from its architecture and cup from the shape of its wind bell.
Echo is a set of modern teaware that blends with the culture of ancient Chinese architecture. It is a multifunctional product embodying the charm and elegance of traditional art for today’s life.
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