FORCING FISSURES
CLIENT
LOCATION
COMPLETION
SCOPE
DESIGN TEAM
PHOTOGRAPHY
Open Object
Shanghai, China
October 2023
Product Design
Josh Ren
Open Object
This ceramic piece is conceived as a block excavated from the ground. Emerged out of a pit fire, this object invites the user to participate in a ritual of scent. The block is gently bent from the two ends, forming a crevice at the center to receive the essential oil. Fired in low temperatures, the clay can absorb oil and gently diffuse the smell. The sedimentation of the earth is evoked through the subtle grooves layered on the sides. The grainy texture entices the user to hold and touch the piece, like embracing a chunk of earth, consoling people physically and spiritually.
*This project is commissioned by OPEN OBJECT, a design-focused ceramic brand based in China. Established in 2017, OPEN OBJECT seeks the abstract quality of simple forms and the timeless beauty of well-balanced proportions.