2019 - 1 week
Brief
In this project, we did an interesting material design experiment. We tried to use flours as our raw material to define a new form of the traditional food Kueh. By the fusion of form and semantics, we developed the di stinctive form of the kueh resulting from material transformation.
In this project, we did an interesting material design experiment. We tried to use flours as our raw material to define a new form of the traditional food Kueh. By the fusion of form and semantics, we developed the di stinctive form of the kueh resulting from material transformation.
Team project - In collaboration with SUTD
Awarded For Most Imaginative Transformation in the 2019 IDI Summer School of Cultural Design
My role
Experimentation, idea generation, concept development, storytelling, video
EXPLORATION
In the beginning, our ideas are limited by the traditional kueh recipes and processes. So the kuehs we made are also limited by current forms. Later, we jumped out of the existing formulas and tried all crazy experiments that we could imagine. Through experiments, we found some interesting shapes and textures which were grown by kueh themselves.
SERENDIPITY
While steaming, we observed it from time to time. Once the lid of the pot was open during steaming and there was a circle along the wall of the cup had solidified and formed, while the middle part remained liquid. Therefore, an intermediate collapse is formed.
IDEATION
FINAL DESIGN
STORY OF QI KUEH
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Gao Ying was a master of kueh. Cherishing the good old days, Gao refused to be the royal chef of the Qing Dynasty. So the family was moving southward.
In Lingnan, however, fine china was snatched away by robbers, only broken ones remaining. Gao had to use them to steam kueh. Surprisingly, the wheat starch formed a hole after steaming and became a natural container. The wall was sparkling and crystal-clear, while the inner bottom was solid, which stood for the great integrity of the Ming’s people. Afterward, people call it “Qi” Kueh.
FURTHER CONCEPT
On one hand, Qi Kueh could play a decorative role for dessert. It could be kind of a re-innovation to the traditional tableware. On the other hand, Qi Kueh could be eaten with dessert, which could add a new eating experience to the traditional kueh.
EXHIBITION
