At Design Shanghai 2018, young Chinese designers show their global savvy with creative use of cultural traditions
Chinese designers are forging ahead with a new sense of confidence, savoir faire and respect for home-grown materials and craft techniques, as seen at this year’s Design Shanghai fair
The fifth edition of Design Shanghai, China’s first and largest contemporary design fair, drew more than 67,000 visitors to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre from March 14 to 17 and starred renowned international brands such as Ligne Roset, Lasvit and Carl Hansen & Son.
An important part of the event, however, were the emerging young Chinese designers and creators who have been making significant inroads in a market that has until now been dominated by large international companies.
“Seventy of the 400 design brands on show this year were Chinese,” said Ross Urwin, the event’s creative director. “We are often asked who the Chinese Tom Dixon will be.”
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This new generation, following hot on the heels of established local designers – such as furniture makers Stellar Works, architecture practice Neri & Hu and gallerist Pearl Lam – are creating wares with the savoir faire of the Europeans, Japanese and Koreans, but with a new sense of confidence and respect for their own local materials and craft techniques.
Yiyangyisheng, for example, a studio based in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province, is bringing a fresh touch of style as it reinvigorates traditional Chinese teacup and bowl forms with original materials (such as silver) and fluid modern-style ink painting. The products’ contemporary precision, quality and design add a new perspective to age-old wares.
Continuing with the tea theme, designer Liu Qiming from lifestyle brand Zens combines China’s ancient tea culture with modern-day travel in the Moon Travel Tea Set. The glass teapot and pair of double-sided cups are enclosed in a protective case decorated with playful patterns.
