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Ultra Strong Paper Tableware Made Using an Ancient Lacquering Process
Ott-chil is a type of Korean lacquer technique that is done by adding the secretions of the ott tree, released as a protective response to wounds. Collecting this from the ott tree is an intricate and difficult process that can be done only by experts. The lacquer produces incredibly durable finishes in most of the materials. It offers an antibacterial effect and its color is very elegant. This is why it has long been treated as the very best material for tableware in Korea.
Design Team
Seungbin Yang
Nowadays, ott-chil is rarely used in Korea due to the spread of mass production and the process's particular use. Today, we prefer a fast paced and easy life. The pace of modern life seems to be constantly accelerating, especially in Korea. We are living in this fast-moving world.
Now ott-chil craftsmanship is on the verge of dying out because many of the craftsmen who have traditionally made the ott-chil are retiring, with no successors to take their place. This project is a form of tribute for the ott-chil craftsmen who poured their heart and soul into their work. So I met thesecraftsmen in Korea, and learned their skills in order to apply it to my work. Normally ott-chil is used on wooden products for finishing and protecting the surface. Because of the high price and value, traditional ott-chil has been used only for luxury furniture or utensil for rituals. (ancestor worship)
In my project, I applied the process to papers to make a new material for tableware which has the strong points of ott-chil as follows: waterproof, durable, sterilized and eco-friendly. I also felt an interest in exploring the gap between luxury object and everyday object, heavy strong materials and light weak materials. I tried to follow the traditional way of applying lacquer, but at the same time wanted to suggest a new object, a new material and a new shape based on a new design adapted to modern living.
People could not easily imagine the weight and the texture of the tableware when they just look at the object. By touching and using it, I want people to feel and experience the luxury of ott-chil, the lightness and the usefulness of this tableware even when it is made using paper.
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Comments
Nice process. I must give it a go.
is it a single layer of paper/card as shown in the picture where it is folded into shape? I had expected something put together more like papier mache, the lines where the paper joins at cut edges are a bit vulnerable aren't they? I suppose it needs to be like that to get such definition in the finished item.
I have made full size vehicle interior models like this. Use superglue to impregnate the cardboard. Very strong, then use lacquer primer to finish it and paint on top of that. Works great.
Thank you for the comment!