Ott Cup
The Ott Cup is part of a set of tableware by Studio Yoon Seok-Hyeon. Every piece has a unique gradient effect that shows the aesthetic value of Ott, an alternative glazing material. By applying it on domestic ceramic objects, the designer aims to introduce ceramic recycling as a standard practice.
Glazed ceramic pieces are not recyclable and they mostly end up in landfill. In this process, chemical and toxic particles resulting from some glazing techniques cause various ground pollutions. “It’s a shame that clay, one of the most natural materials, is treated in this way” says Seok-hyeon Yoon. Technically, clay itself is reusable as chamotte, a powder of baked clay. Glassy ingredients are the ones that complicate ceramic recycling, compromising the purity of earth.
In an attempt to make ceramic recyclable, Seok-hyeon Yoon searched for alternative glazings. He eventually discovered “Ott”, a Korean traditional lacquering material. It is a natural resin from the Ott tree, widely used as glazing for woodenware in the past. Ott just drys out on the ceramic surface, without needing to bake. The designer also discovered that it evaporates when heated at high temperature. This means that you can get clean earth and recycle it.
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