Reborn Wooden Vase

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The pattern on this wooden vase artwork is inlaid on a three-dimensional spherical wood surface. Inspired by growing seeds, brass wire is embedded on the wood following the wood grain, with some extending out as the shape of seed roots to support the wooden vase. The pattern has functional uses as wood leftovers are made into a container for planting, resembling a sprouting seed, symbolizing the cycle of life. The flowing metal root shape gives a sense of vitality, resembling a moving organism.

Dimensions & Packaging

Material: teak wood, brass, glass.
Dimensions: Round seed: Length 15cm x Width 9cm x Height 14cm, Gourd-shaped seed: Length 20cm x Width 11cm x Height 17cm, Eggplant-shaped seed: Length 23cm x Width 8.5cm x Height 22.5m, Elliptical seed: Length 30cm x Width 9cm x Height 10cm.

Tags

Wooden, Vase, Metal, Inlaid Technique, Art Craft, Brass, Leftover

Production Technology

Material: teak, brass, glass.
Production technology: lathe turning out of the basic shape of wood, hand-polished wood appearance,hand-welded metal, inlaid metal, hand-dyed spray
painting.
Surface treatment: spray transparent protective paint after dyeing and then polish and trim the surface to smooth, this process is repeated 2-3 times after polishing the metal, and finally spray a laver of transparent protective paint to prevent brass oxidation.

Design Challenge

To support the wood above, a thicker and harder brass wire was used for the extended structure. However, the ends of the wire tended to curl up when embedded on the curved surface. To enhance the metal's stability on the wood, eight types of glue were tested and the problem was resolved by referencing riveting techniques. When grinding the pointed end of the wire, it tended to become too thin and curl up, but after trying various methods, the issue was resolved.

Project Duration

The project began in June 2021 and was completed in Tainan, Taiwan in March 2022.

Operation Flow

The holes on the flower vessel contain glass containers that can be filled with water to grow aquatic plants, resembling a germinating seed from a distance. Other items can be inserted into the container for decoration, or it can be used as a standalone art piece.

Research

Type of study: technology, art.
Goal: Apply planar tessellation techniques to surface tessellation.
Methods: Technical application analysis, process technology analysis, material analysis, practical operation experiment.
Data collection: self-observation experience, books, online work observation.
Research tools:
metalworking tools,
woodworking tools, all kinds of drills, all kinds of grinding tools.

Inspiration

We discovered leftover wood from furniture making and decided to utilize our metalworking skills to combine it with metal through inlaying techniques. After observing that metal inlaying on wood is often flat and purely decorative, we aimed to create something different. We used our craft skill to create new value from the leftover material by combining the gentle nature and unique wood grain of the wood with the idea of the cycle of life, resulting in this artistic piece.

Image Credits

Image#1~#5: ChuJou Chen/ YuHsuan Chen/ FanXuan Yang/ ChingChing Weng

Colors of Reborn Wooden Vase