Early in their careers, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg collected tableware, attracted by its materiality, aesthetics, and crafting methods. Such was the powerful impression it made on them that they have at last designed their first tableware collection. Their intention is to use a versatile palette of natural tones ranging from chalk to slate on graceful minimalist plates and cups, inviting endless possibilities for layering and mixing—and infinite ingenuity in meals, whether a solitary breakfast or an elaborate dinner with friends.
Back in New York, George and Glenn were keen to move beyond the notion that only white plates ennoble the presentation of food. They began to explore an image inspired by an ethereal night sky they had glimpsed from their beach house after a dinner party. This sparked the idea of a collection transforming meals into galactic moments, showing the magic that can exist both in the universe and on our dining tables.
The textured surfaces are the result of an advanced technique called ‘yohen’, which creates lustrous glistening and often iridescent patterns and textures that reveal new dimensions, depths, and textures. This glazing process, perfected over generations, represents the essence of beauty found in imperfection, and the unpredictable nature of ceramics, which means that no two vessels are ever quite the same.
The manufacturing process is complex and labour-intensive, and a testament to Noritake’s craftsmanship and dedication to quality. The intricate patterns and finish of the new collection are the consequence of a concentrated, challenging experimental procedure, exploring how each pigment and material interacts, and using layers of reactive glazes in a completely new way. In a high temperature kiln that can achieve such heat to create the desired sense of depth and glistening effect, Noritake’s master technician and engineers set about investigating how the different layers of color would react together to achieve the unique, captivating, graduated final effect that so effectively evokes the endless scope of the universe.
