The Co-constructions series came out of an intensive period of research into what was becoming of the new Chinese consumer and what had been left behind in that process. We discovered that ancient Chinese building techniques were wonderfully mathematical, their structures surprisingly modern by today's standards, and we began combining those studies with complex computer work to create a series of modern abstractions. Tittot was the natural partner for this, a brand whose entire culture is founded within the historical traditions of Asia and whose mastery of lost wax glass casting is unmatched. We visited their factory outside Shanghai together, and the scale of what they maintain entirely within the craft tradition was breathtaking. Creating the multifaceted forms and maintaining the sharpness of each surface pushed their casting process to its absolute limits, requiring painstaking trial and error at every stage. The process is extremely long, complicated and entirely handmade, with every step demanding undivided attention. The result is a series of limited edition glass vases that draw a balance between ancient and contemporary beauty, and between Eastern and Western aesthetics. The Co-constructions series was presented as part of our Works in China exhibition and was available exclusively through Lane Crawford.
Further Reading
Wallpaper
https://www.wallpaper.com/design/michael-young-works-in-china-part-1-design-art
Design Is This
https://www.designisthis.com/blog/en/post/tittot-michael-young-co-constructions-series-vases
Feelguide
https://www.feelguide.com/2011/03/23/michael-young-vase-design-tittot/
Delood
https://delood.com/archive/design-archive/michael-young-for-tittot/
