Sake cup (guinomi) 2011

This sake cup, or guinomi, was made by Imaizumi Takeshi. Look at the surface; it’s so matte and almost seems to absorb light. You get the impression that every touch, every movement of the artist's hand is preserved in the final firing. The color is fascinating. It’s not quite black, but a complex, deep grey, with subtle variations that suggest a history of layering and transformation. Notice how the cup is formed of planes, almost like facets of a gemstone, and how these angles create a play of light and shadow, emphasizing the cup’s sculptural presence. The base, with its small, sturdy foot, adds a sense of groundedness. It’s a lovely contrast to the delicate lip of the cup. Thinking about other artists, Agnes Martin’s austere, minimal paintings come to mind, but here it’s translated into a functional object. It embraces the beauty of imperfection and invites us to find beauty in the everyday.