Challenging and pushing boundaries of the Japanese Tea Ceremony aesthetics.
The Japanese Creative Centre (JCC), situated in the outskirts of Orchard Road, is a pristine, single-storied white building roofed with red tiles. Established after a Japan-Singapore summit meeting in 2007, JCC serves as a hub for publicising information on Japan's culture and technologies, and exhibiting contemporary Japanese artworks.
[Image taken of Japanese Creative Centre (JCC) on 4th February 2023.]
The recent exhibition, Post-Wabi, presented by Michi & Co. and JCC, is a captivating contemporary ceramic exhibition featuring works from reputable Japanese artists, Mr. Yukiharu Furuno and Mr. Takanao Todo.
[Mr Yukiharu Furuno (Left) and Mr Takanao Todo (Right) during an artist talk.]
Mr. Yukiharu Furuno, an 80-year-old multi-award-winning ceramicist, has been experimenting with different kinds of ash glazing for 40 years. His works are known for their famously vivid blue glazes, derived from a conversation he had with his late wife, to represent the skies, heavens, and galaxy. Mr. Todo, on the other hand, is a multi-award-winning architectural designer and ceramicist who focuses on designing sake cups and tea bowls (Chawan) to enhance the drinking experience.
[Ceramics with the renowned vibrant blue glazes by Yukiharu Furuno.]
[Raku-fired bowls with pink and orange glazes by Takanao Todo.]
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese concept of appreciating the beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity as the natural state of things in the world. The exhibition, Post-Wabi, contemplates and confronts the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony aesthetics by pushing the boundaries of Wabi-Sabi through exploration of colours in pottery.
The 5-day exhibition showcases a plethora of vibrant ceramic works such as pinched cups and elegant vases from both artists, placed on white pedestals neatly all around the centre. The labels on each work identify the series, colours and techniques used, along with the artist name. Some had QR codes as well for interested art collectors who want to purchase their works.
With one look, all of the works are easily distinguishable by their craftsmanship. The contrast between Takanao Todo’s organically shaped pinch pots that come in a synthesis of colours and textures, and Yukiharu Furuno’s meticulously thrown vases and crockery that are glazed striking blue, is evident.
As an enthusiast of Wabi Sabi ceramics, It was fascinating to see both artists respectfully explore creative ways to reinvent the aesthetics of tea ceremonies using colours, while still preserving the concept of Wabi Sabi and the traditional firing techniques for ceramics. Colours commonly associated with Wabi Sabi include white, black, neutral and earth toned colours; they elicit a sense of connection to earth and natural materials.
To witness the ceramic wares being adorned with such playful colours changed my perspective on how I see nature and the world in relation to aesthetics. I realised the orange and pink glazes reminded me of different species of mushrooms and skin colours, the blue and yellow fusion the beach, ocean, skies and nebulae. The possibilities suddenly seemed endless. It served as a reminder that we are surrounded by nature and we are nature, hence rethinking the way we understand and observe not just the world, but the concept of Wabi Sabi in art.
I personally believe both Mr. Yukiharu and Mr. Todo have successfully improved the tea-drinking experience and aesthetics by paving the way for modern interpretations of traditional pottery and bringing a contemporary perspective to long-standing customs.
To learn more about the artists, do check out the following links:
Yukiharu Furuno: http://ceramicart-yukiharu.weebly.com
Takanao Todo: https://takanao00.wixsite.com/takanaotododesign/pottery
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