Chinese calligraphy and Ming dynasty furniture are the two among the most representative Chinese culture aspects. I want to incorporate these two aspects, give new opportunities for traditional furniture, and create new level of aesthetic quality.
Ming dynasty is considered the golden age of Chinese furniture design. Fine Chinese furniture was produced in a variety of style, which required high craftsmanship, both simple and elaborate as Ming painting and ceramics.
Calligraphy has been called “a painting without images, a piece of music without sounds.” Calligraphic works are said to express the essential elements of beauty — balance, proportion, variety, continuity, contrast, movement, change and harmony —through different shapes and line formations. Calligraphy inspires other arts.
Prototypes are generated from different methods including laser cut and free hand cut. Different forms are explored to mimic the original script of the calligraphy. The first prototype was inspired from the character “之”. And the latter iterations are based on this basic form.
The final prototype was generated from CNC machine. The form was generated in Rhino and break into various parts for manufacture assembly. The prototype was made from foam boards. Different parts are assembled using wood glue and polished by hand.
The foam prototype was on 1:1 scale. And it was made to test the product proportion, assembly methods and overall feelings. Further iterations are made based on this prototype.
