Cup (yunomi) c. early 21th century

Curator: These striking objects are titled "Cup (yunomi)" by Kawai Tōru, crafted in approximately the early 21st century. They're currently held here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: I’m immediately struck by the texture, that deeply spiraled form. They look incredibly tactile; you want to reach out and feel the undulations in the clay. Curator: Indeed. Yunomi are, of course, a type of Japanese teacup, often taller than they are wide, intended for everyday informal tea drinking. This pushes the boundaries of utilitarian design into the realm of decorative art. Considering the resurgence of interest in folk art during this time, particularly the Mingei movement, how might these cups resonate with those values? Editor: The form certainly speaks to a contemporary sensibility, but you can still see the connection to function in the gentle curve of the lip, inviting use. The dark glaze pooled within the textured spirals creates these wonderful gradations of color. Curator: And that glaze isn’t just aesthetic. Consider the social context. Handcrafted ceramics carry connotations of wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection, offering a counterpoint to mass production, the commodification of goods, and maybe even anxieties about environmental concerns related to consumer culture. Owning unique pieces can reflect particular social and political sensibilities. Editor: It's interesting you mention "imperfection." Looking closer, there's an intentional asymmetry in the spiral's execution, almost like the artist's hand asserting itself. Curator: Absolutely, which underscores the personal touch inherent in studio pottery. And, to reiterate, possessing objects like this communicates a conscious rejection of homogeneity, an embrace of the individual narrative inherent in each piece. It signals a conscious act of social identity through objects. Editor: Seeing the cups together also sparks dialogue around how the subtle uniqueness is multiplied as they contrast and resemble. The shape is the same, yet individual. Very poetic, really. Curator: A very perceptive reading of this modern “Cup (yunomi)”. It goes beyond simply holding liquid and instead functions as a tangible expression of the complex interplay of cultural forces, craftsmanship, and personal identity in the 21st century. Editor: For me, that intimate scale paired with the dynamic surface suggests that even mundane rituals, like tea drinking, can be opportunities for profound aesthetic experiences.