storyware by gaetano ling from uk

With unprecedented numbers of people in Asia migrating from rural to urban areas, regional cultures and histories may be lost as people loose a physical connection to their place of origin. Our aim was to design a precious artifact that retains a person's connection to his/her family roots wherever that person may move or settle.

Storyware is functional tableware that also communicates a narrative about a family's history by recording personal stories and embedding them into ceramic so that the tales can be re-told and treasured.

Drinking tea is traditionally a communal activity, and a time for families to discuss and share. Stories are harvested from family members, recorded, and then embedded into ceramic tea-cups using technology similar to vinyl records or wax cylinders. The stories can then be played back using analog acoustics.

Throwing clay is a traditional craft, and the fragility of the material acts as a reminder of the fragility of family heritage as migration disperses close-knit families and communities. Thus, the tea-cups and their integral narratives are to be protected, enjoyed, passed-down and cherished.