Firepot 18th century

Here we see the artwork Firepot, by Shobei. The setup composes geometrical shapes using mostly neutral colours and rough textures. The items are placed inside a dark rectangular frame. The arrangement conveys balance and harmony, with all the pottery items seemingly complementing each other. The artwork's structure highlights the aesthetics and values of the Japanese tea ceremony. The vessels and instruments create an opportunity to interpret the complex systems of signs and cultural codes. The pots and bowls have different sizes, shapes and surface qualities, which gives an aesthetic pleasure in a tactile and visually stimulating way. The work represents the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which values simplicity, imperfection, and appreciation of the beauty in the naturalness of objects. The overall effect underscores that art’s meanings are consistently altered through new interpretations.