Meeting + interview with Yellow Nose Studio
Brutal. went to meet Kai and Ying, a duo from Taiwan, set up their studio in Berlin. Let's discover their universe through an interview.
What is your background and your training to get to ceramics?
We are both from Taiwan and after graduating from the architecture department, we both worked as 3D designers for design companies but wanted to learn more new things. So we went to Berlin to continue our Master's program. Kai studied product design, Ying studied scenography.
During our studies, we wanted to work on something together that could make our two specialties coincide. But because we don't have financial resources, we decided to make a small collection of tableware that we could make ourselves and present it in a different way. That's how we started. This is how we started Yellow Nose Studio.
Are you self-taught or did you learn from someone else?
We both learned ceramics in Taiwan during the weekends. It was a hobby at the time and we never imagined at the time that it would be one of our mediums to show people our vision.
Do you remember your first play?
Our first creation from the studio is a whole collection of black tableware. We have designed the collection with installation furniture to present it. The bowls and plates were hidden in the furniture. This brings contrast between the materials.
How will you define your work?
We believe that our works are the balance between organic and inorganic. People can still trace the industrialized method of our work, but at the same time they could feel the warmth of the hand we left on the raw objects.
What is your creative and manufacturing process?
When we start creating a collection, we start with the story we want to tell first. And slowly building the form, continually making it and destroying it.
What is your favorite technique? Your favorite moment in the process?
We like to build our works from the plate technique. In this way we manage to keep the industrial character and the organic brutality that we want to leave. We believe that imperfection is another way to perfection. Our favorite moment is the toasting. This is when we use a river stone to polish the surface of the clay before its first firing. This compacts the earth and makes it very shiny. It takes a long time but it is very meditative and calming!
What is your favorite material? What do you like about him?
We don't have a specific favorite clay because we work with different types of clays. We feel the differences and we love it!
What inspires you outside of ceramics?
We are inspired a lot by nature but also simply by walking every day from our home to the studio. We are led to see random things and objects in the streets and this suddenly gives us new ideas, leads.
Can you tell us about one or more books on ceramics or something else?
We rarely read books on ceramics. We think it feeds us more when it comes to other areas. One of our favorite books is Design As Art by Bruno Munari.
What are your last significant trips or your travel desires?
Our last major trip was a short trip to southern Poland. We went up to the Tatry mountain, on the side of Poland and Slovakia. It was breathtaking when we found ourselves at the top of one of the lakes. Our next travel wish would be Peru!
