airvase

The impetus for creating airvase was paper manufacturer Kami no Kousakujo’s staging of the Tokushokushikou (Processed Paper, Characteristic Colours) exhibition in AXIS Gallery in Tokyo, January 2010. In addition to making paper products, participating designers were each given a theme color to use. Torafu was given green, but we thought we might be able to express green by somehow combining yellow and blue. We decided to make the front side of the paper yellow and the back blue. Held up to the light, the two colors mix and a green color can be seen and this color varies depending on the angle to create amazing gradations.

We also adopted an architectural approach, by cutting incisions into a flat piece of paper to see if we could make a three – dimensional mesh from out of it. We repeated cut out prototypes by hand, tested and examined them before we ultimately ended up making a metal mould for mass production. Naturally, we conducted detailed adjustments of the thickness and weight of the paper, the form of incision, spacing and so on. We started making concentric circles with 10mm gaps between the scored lines and ended up producing them with 0,9mm spacing, which we found to be the limit. With narrow spacing, the overall weight of paper decreased and while the paper was flexible, it gained strength so we were then able to make a form that could stand up by itself.

This is a paper bowl that enfolds air. You can freely change its shape by molding it into a dish, a small bowl or a vase according to the intended usage. The thin and lightweight paper gives strength and resistance to the bowl and allows it to be folded compactly when not in use. This intriguing bowl will catch your eye as the colors on each side of the paper create a different impression every time you look at it.

Production: Kami no Kousakujo
Package graphic: TAKAIYAMA