Toto Unveils Washlet RW: A New Era of Toilet Hygiene and Comfort
Toto has launched the Washlet RW, a sleek toilet integrating advanced hygiene and comfort features. It offers adjustable warm water sprays, a heated seat, a warm air dryer, and an integrated deodoriser, all controllable via remote. The toilet also boasts self-cleaning functions and a soft, silicone-based finish, available in matte white or black, in wall-hung or back-to-wall styles.
Madrid Design Festival showcases diverse materials in "Weight and Presence" exhibition
The "Peso y Presencia" exhibition at Madrid Design Festival, curated by Yaiza Camacho, explores the intersection of design and diverse materials. Featuring furniture and objects from various architects, designers, and artists, the collection highlights a slower, more deliberate approach to creation, encouraging reflection on the production, representation, and perception of design concepts. This unique display, whose name means "Weight and Presence" in Spanish, emphasizes sustainability and conscious craftsmanship.
Innovative Design Unveiled: Trolley Bag for Lidl and Architectural Wonders
This article highlights recent innovative designs and architectural marvels. It features Nik Bentel's industrial stainless steel Trolley Bag for Lidl, boasting a unique gridded rectangular shape and the brand's signature yellow-and-blue handle. Additionally, it touches upon Snøhetta's Riyadh metro station, crowned with a distinctive mirrored bowl-shaped canopy, and provides a glimpse into detailed White House East Wing expansion drawings. The piece also includes an exclusive interview with RIBA president Chris Williamson, offering a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge design and architecture news.
Discover the Magic of Mythology in Modern Ceramic Art
The Enigmatic 'Salty Fairy Ring' Collection Takes Center Stage at Collect 2026
At the prestigious Collect 2026 fair in London, South Korean ceramic artist Jihyun Kim unveils her captivating 'Salty Fairy Ring' series. These multi-hued vessels draw inspiration from an intriguing blend of myth and magic, taking on organic, mushroom-like forms that appear to float on their sculpted stems, defying conventional ceramic design.
Kim's Distinctive 'Gloop Glaze' Technique: A Fusion of Clay and Liquid
Central to Kim's artistic expression is her proprietary 'gloop glaze' technique. This innovative approach involves a glaze that behaves more like clay in its initial state, becoming exceptionally fluid and adhesive when subjected to kiln temperatures. Kim ingeniously employs this glaze to bond individual ceramic components, allowing her to create structures where curved dishes elegantly perch atop doughnut-shaped bases, giving an illusion of weightlessness. This method, refined during her Master's studies at the Royal College of Art, represents a significant evolution in ceramic artistry.
Mastering the Mystical: The Art of Gravity-Defying Forms
Kim's fascination with the 'gloop glaze' extends beyond its functional properties. She often fires elements of her work upside down, deliberately enhancing the perception of magic and challenging the conventional understanding of gravity within her art. This meticulous process, which she has honed over three years, involves extensive testing to achieve the precise aesthetic and structural integrity she envisions, underscoring her dedication to pushing creative boundaries.
A Kaleidoscope of Techniques: Enriching the 'Salty Fairy Ring' Vessels
While the 'gloop glaze' provides a unifying element, each 'Salty Fairy Ring' vessel is a testament to diversity in form, finish, and texture. Kim experiments with various techniques, including using a slip trailer to add raised dots reminiscent of toadstools. Her latest creations integrate lampworking to infuse colorful glass beads and airbrushing for delicate color gradients, showcasing her versatility and continuous exploration of ceramic possibilities.
Folklore and Superstition: The Deep-Rooted Inspirations Behind the Art
The evocative name 'Salty Fairy Ring' is a direct nod to two powerful mythologies. The first hails from Korean superstition, where salt jars placed at home entrances are believed to ward off evil spirits, a practice fondly remembered from her grandmother. The second draws from the enchanting notion of 'fairy rings'—naturally occurring mushroom circles—as symbols of magical phenomena. These deeply personal and cultural narratives infuse her work with profound meaning.
Narratives in Clay: Translating Childhood Memories into Artistic Identity
Kim's ceramic designs, including her 'Fingernail Fungus' vessels, are rich with themes of ritual and mythology, often stemming from her grandmother's tales. Stories, such as the warning about mice stealing identity if fingernails are cut before bed, become tangible forms in her art. For Kim, these childhood stories and superstitions, particularly after moving to London, became a comforting link to her heritage, forming the core of her distinctive artistic identity. She transforms these ancient beliefs into "funky, colourful, and playful" ceramic expressions, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary design.