Rhythm of harmony - Exploration of contemporary tea space through traditional Zen philosophy

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Journal Title

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Volume Title

School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2021

Department

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master’s Programme in Interior Architecture

Language

en

Pages

94 + 6

Series

Abstract

In today's globalization, it has become more and more common to witness a culture from a specific geographical region comes to be by different cultures worldwide and grow into a global icon yet still maintain its cultural identity. Very little is currently known about design brands or styles developed from China in design history. With interest in this trend, I believe interior design is a domain worth further exploring. It relates to our everyday lives, influencing the quality of life and allowing us to express our individuality. Consequently, in this practice-based thesis, I chose the concept of Zen from Chinese culture to explore the way a piece of furniture derived from Zen philosophy could be integrated into a globally multi-cultural lifestyle. For the objects in this thesis, I designed a tea table and a textile that could be placed in the same room. Through the research section, I have related the connections between Zen philosophy and the tea spirit. Zen philosophy is then explained figuratively as harmony, purity, and tranquillity. These concepts are then integrated into the design of the two furniture pieces. The tea table was mainly manufactured with solid wood. The natural material, simplistic lines, and primary forms of the table transmit the purity and tranquillity that I attempted to obtain. Meanwhile, harmony is mainly illustrated by the proportion and form of the table, along with the gliding ceramic tray added above the tabletop. The broader choice of glazes for the ceramic tray not only leaves a clean and elegant feel but also contrasts with the solid wood in a balanced appearance and over-all tactility. In addition, I produced the textiles in a natural ivory colour with both a stiff and soft feel. It matched the furniture, tea table, and the whole scene effectively. The freedom to choose different combinations of gliding trays and where to apply the textile also invites the audience to present some characters and playfulness of their individuality.

Description

Supervisor

Relander, Martin

Thesis advisor

Fagerlund, Hilkka-Maija
Relander, Martin

Keywords

textile design, furniture, tea table, design, ceramic, tea space, harmony, Zen

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