Zixin Huang: adding a poetic expression to urban living spaces

Zixin HUANG graduated from Central Saint Martins before studying Product Design at Central Academy of Fine Arts.

She pays attention to the life of the generation who grows up with developments of the internet and economy in China and also their attitude to local culture and design in globalisation era. She aims to establish a positive connection between people and local culture and critical examination.

‘Removable Scenery’ is a modular dressing furniture collection. Based on researching compact urban living, this collection seeks to add a poetic expression to urban living spaces particularly the micro-size apartments. Designing using inspiration from traditional Chinese dressing furniture, the designer transformed aesthetic perceptions into practical contemporary designs. Researching bamboo and traditional lacquer to develop a combination of industrialisation and craftsmanship, continue the historical meaning of lacquer in Chinese dressing furniture and approach contemporary life. It identifies an opportunity for the Chinese furniture industry based on the combination of the rising of womenomics and internet driven economic marketplace as well. The modular approach offers multiple options of colour and texture to customise the base structure for numerous alternative futures.

‘Removable Scenery No.1 ’ combines with the side table. It is inspired by the dressing furniture in 'Admonitions of the Court Instructress' by GU Kaizhi, the classic Chinese painting now held at the British Museum.

‘Removable Scenery No.2 ’ is a full-length mirror dressing table that satisfies different dressing behaviours. It is inspired by Chinese ancient washstand, combined with Chinese scroll painting.

‘Tea as The Love Token ’ was created by Zixin Huang in 2016. When Huang did her research in Japan, she noticed lacquer is used widely in people's daily life there. They attach importance to this traditional craft and reform the traditional lacquer to adapt to modern life. She hopes lacquer can back to people’s daily life in China as well. Lacquer has been associated with weddings for a long time. It symbolises enduring and inseparable love. Huang got inspiration from ancient ritual vessels and gestures for this collection.

In the ceremony, each procedure is done by hand. The fingerprint not only symbolise 'hand in hand', but also the inheritance in family.

Tea as The Love Token will join our showcase at the GRASSIMESSE, Leipzig during 25-27 October 2019.

Image Source: Zixin Huang