Sake cup (guinomi) c. early 21th century

Editor: This is a sake cup, a *guinomi*, by Mikami Ryō, from the early 21st century. It’s a ceramic sculpture. It’s got this rugged, almost primordial quality. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: The artist is making a very deliberate statement here. It’s presented as functional ware but resists easy utility. What does that tension tell us? Mikami Ryō challenges conventional expectations surrounding the craft, a very prominent voice, by infusing an overtly avant-garde aesthetic. How does it reflect Japanese culture’s embrace of wabi-sabi in a globalized art market? Editor: So it's making a statement about artistic freedom, maybe a push against the commercial expectations put on traditional craft? Curator: Precisely. By exhibiting this *guinomi* in a museum setting, we inevitably frame it not just as an object for use, but also as a vehicle for engaging the artist’s commentary. The context really shifts the interpretation. Does it alter how we, as viewers, place value on such an intimate work of art? Editor: Definitely, I think putting it in a museum elevates it beyond just a functional object. I see the cup in a totally new light. It prompts questions about craft, utility, and the art market itself. Curator: It invites us to reconsider how societal structures influence our perspective. Ultimately, this Sake cup serves as a reminder that even the smallest vessel can hold profound socio-cultural implications.