Year: 2024
Client: DESIGNTIDE Tokyo
Type: Furniture
Material: Dyed ash wood in calligraphy ink, glass top
Size: W660 x D660 x H280 mm

Exhibition: <DESIGNTIDE Tokyo 2024> at Nihonbashi, Tokyo, Japan

For the new project for DESIGNTIDE Tokyo, KUO DUO set out to explore and blend Korean and Japanese culture through design. After researching the cultural connections between Korea and Japan, they found the ink used in Asian calligraphy —Muk in Korean and Sumi in Japanese—particularly inspiring. The traditional craft of making inksticks, which involves burning natural materials to produce charcoal mixed with animal glue, reflects a meticulous artisanal process cherished in East Asian calligraphy. By incorporating these practices into their furniture designs, KD emphasize the deep connections between art, nature, and tradition in both cultures.

SUMI collection includes a chair, low table, and vase, each crafted from wood dyed with Sumi ink, allowing the ink to seep into the grain and enhance the texture of the material. The outline of the furniture draws inspiration from the bold curves often seen in calligraphy strokes. For the chair, the designers used Tyvek material to create cushions with a paper-like texture, dyed in black. The low table features a glass top, achieving a harmonious blend of tradition and modern aesthetics.