Chopstick Holder

Product: Chopstick Holder & Housing

Medium: Reclaimed Pine

Finish: hand-waxed

Chopstick Holder (on the top): W 50 x L 235 x H 77 mm.

Housing (on the bottom): W 79 x L 262 x H 72 mm.

Course: DR2009 Products in Asian Cultural Context (AY 2019-20, Semester 1)

Project’s title: Wooden doll and its housing

Designed & made by: Tan Ying Hui (U1730916L)

Photographed by: Tan Ying Hui (2019)

Project’s description

The way of Dim Sum dining is a wholistic one. Served in small bamboo baskets, they are usually shared between families and friends. It is a gathering that speaks of camaraderie and togetherness. The imbalanced form of the product plays on the interactivity between its own kind; in that physical action of support and reliance.

To form a cohesive set with the previous rolling pin project, the cone shape outline and layering is repeated here, in the head and silhouette. There are echoes in the curves to visually tie the pieces together. The lid is matched with care to allow the grain of wood to flow naturally from left to right.

Using the alternative sections of light and dark colours, their size and placement creates additional features to the doll such as hair and clothing.

Although the doll is designed to be used in multiples, where the higher tip rests on another’s tail, it may also be used independently. Despite the slight instability, it will not tip to an extreme due to the shallow curved base. In fact, the weight of the utensils balances the doll evenly.

Full Documentation: YING HUI’s 2PE Journal DR2009_NOV19

Prev: Rolling Pin

Rolling Pin

Product: Rolling Pin

Medium: Plywood and Reclaimed Pine

Finish: hand-waxed

Rolling Pin: W 50mm x L 300mm x H 50 mm.

Course: DR2009 Products in Asian Cultural Context (AY 2019-20, Semester 1)

Project’s title: Rolling pin and its suspending components

Designed & made by: Tan Ying Hui (U1730916L)

Photographed by: Tan Ying Hui (2019)

 

Project’s description

18 lines is achieved in the segments, an auspicious number set by the folds of soup dumpling. The lines include the edge of the pin, representing the concept of unity in Dim Sum culture. While dimensions were intended to be multiples of 5 – following the 5 Element Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Despite the gradation, the ends – almost equal in width, uses two different materials; maintaining an illusion of balance. It is also obtained through the gradation countered by the direction of tapered, which applies to the orientation of the bead as well. The twisted cotton cord plays its part by continuing the lines – connecting the pin to the bead.

The pin may also be hung by the handle or stand vertically for storage. The handle is removable, so when rolling it may be removed and replaced after wash. As the process of making soup dumpling skin requires rolling pins of various thickness, the tapered edge fulfills that in a single product.

The rolling pin is designed to the preparation of the skin of soup dumplings. It can be used to roll out dough and the larger end can flatten a dough ball to an estimated palm size. The material choice is also more affordable and sustainable as compared to the use of solid wood, fitting to the use of several segments.

Full Doumentation: Rolling Pin’s E-Journal_DR2009 AY2019-20_Sem1_TAN YING HUI

Next: Chopstick Holder

References

Williams, Claire. 2019. “History Of Dim Sum – Yauatcha Life”. Yauatcha Life. Accessed October 24. https://www.yauatcha.com/life/home/home-featured/history-of-dim-sum/.

Republic, Food. 2014. “Taiwan’s Most Famous Soup Dumplings Are Exceedingly Hard To Make – Food Republic”. Food Republic. https://www.foodrepublic.com/2014/10/23/taiwans-most-famous-soup-dumplings-are-exceedingly-hard-to-make/.

“The Legend Behind Chinese Dumplings”. 2012. Gbtimes.Com. https://gbtimes.com/hello-china-60-dumplings.

Weiss Adamson, Melitta, and Francine Segan. 2008. Entertaining From Ancient Rome To The Super Bowl: An Encyclopedia. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group.

White, Aimee. 2019. “The History Of The Xiao Long Bao”. Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/a-brief-history-of-xiao-long-bao-shanghais-signature-dish/.