hida - Color Material Finish specialists (히다랩)

Design Encapsulating
Korea, K-CMF

10-26-2023 save btn Save

The ethereal hues crafted by nature, lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl
The refined elegance of celadon and white porcelain
Artistry inked with inkstick

CMF(Color, Material, Finish) Newsletter. 2023.10-2

For ages, Korean handicrafts have held pride in their extensive history and traditions continuing to receive abundant affection today. What comes to mind when we ponder over Korean crafts? And what are the instances where they’ve been reborn as modern products? This October, hïda has set the theme of our CMF (Color, Material, Finish) newsletter to ‘K(Korea)-CMF.’ In Part 2, we delve into the features and applications of Korea's lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, pottery, and ink, complemented by hïda’s CMF solutions.

Najeon Chilgi

The Ethereal Hues Crafted by Nature,

Lacquerware Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl

ⓒNational Museum of Korea·Shinsegae Gallery

Lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl (螺鈿漆器, Najeon Chilgi in Korean) is a craft where luminous shell fragments are intricately set or adhered to the surfaces of lacquered vessels or furniture. Since ancient times, it's been produced in Korea, China, and Japan, with all three nations referring to it as 'Najeon.' The shell fragments used in these artworks are referred to in pure Korean as 'Jagae'; this artform can also be termed a mother-of-pearl craft. The inner side of the shell glistens due to its nacre content. While the abalone shells frequently used for Najeon aren’t rare or expensive materials, creating a single piece of Najeon furniture demands significant time and labor, thus rendering its value exceedingly high. We introduce the dual CMF inspirations found in this craft: lacquer and mother-of-pearl.

ⓒGiljeongbon·Koreasang·Tongyeong city·Mokpo city

Focus on the unique wood hue expressed through lacquering. Traditionally, 'Chilgi' signifies items made using lacquer on wood. 'Black lacquer' symbolizes a black hue derived from refined lacquer mixed with about 3% ferrous hydroxide, while 'red lacquer' is created by incorporating the red 'ju-sa (朱沙)' powder. Furthermore, various natural pigments have been employed to emulate the foundational wood color.

‘hïdaXSamhwa’ K-Brown

ⓒhïda

The coating solution ‘K-brown,’ developed in collaboration between hïda and Korea's Samhwa Paint Industrial, is the culmination of extensive research into the colors of Korean lacquered wood. Infused with plant-derived oils, this eco-friendly paint requires a multi-layer coating, and for a dual-tone appearance, a colorant developed by Samhwa Paint Industrial was employed. It is now feasible for production at INTOPS, the parent company of hïda.

hïda's CMF Selection

ⓒWonju City·Shinsegae Gallery·Yoo Cheol-hyeon·Gyeonggi Tourism Organization

Different types of mother-of-pearl utilized in Korean lacquerware produce a distinctive reflective hue, emanating varied exquisite colors. These dark lacquer colors contrast uniquely with the lustrous mother-of-pearl.

ⓒgettyimagesbank·mother of pearl factory

Crafting this beautiful mother-of-pearl necessitates thinning the shells, demanding skilled expertise.

ⓒSamsung

The CMF applied to Samsung Electronics' shoe care device, the Bespoke Shoe Dresser, launched last October, was designed inspired by lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, blending a black base with iridescent mother-of-pearl colors, resonating as a magnificent piece of craftsmanship.

‘hïdaXSamhwa’ Iridescent

ⓒhïda

The coating solution ‘iridescent coating,’ co-developed by hïda and Korea's Samhwa Paint Industrial, is the product of prolonged research into the colors of Korean lacquered mother-of-pearl. This environmentally friendly paint, enriched with plant-extracted oils, mandates a multi-layer coating. A colorant exclusively developed by Samhwa Paint Industrial was used for the dual-tone effect. Currently, production research is ongoing at INTOPS, hïda’s parent company.

hïda's CMF Selection

Pottery

The Refined Elegance of Celadon and White Porcelain

ⓒNational Museum of Korea

Pottery signifies vessels or decorative items fashioned from clay and then fired at high temperatures. Generally, they can be divided into those fired below 1,300°C and those fired between 1,300-1,500°C. Notable amongst pottery, celadon, and white porcelain are distinguished primarily by the type of clay used, additives, and the glaze applied. This pottery technique traces its origins to celadon from medieval China, yet its production began in Korea during the Goryeo Dynasty (roughly 10th-14th centuries). Goryeo celadon, distinguished by its unique colors and designs, was recognized in China and enjoyed considerable popularity globally. I would encourage you to explore the diverse CMF inspirations found in Korean celadon and the celadon coating solution co-developed by Hida and Samhwa Paint Industrial.

‘hïdaXSamhwa’ K-Green

ⓒhïda

The coating solution ‘K-Green,’ a collaborative endeavor between Hida and Korea's Samhwa Paint Industrial, is the culmination of extended research into the hues of Korean celadon. Rather than a simple, solid color, it incorporates minute pearl particles to create a diffuse reflection, rendering a subtle sheen and a tactile experience reminiscent of touching pottery. This eco-friendly paint, enhanced with oils extracted from plants, requires a multi-layered coating and utilizes a colorant independently developed by Samhwa Paint Industrial. Mass production is feasible at the manufacturing facilities of Hida's parent company, INTOPS.

hïda's CMF Selection

ⓒNational Museum of Korea

Following the 15th century, the pottery predominantly crafted during Korea's Joseon Dynasty was white porcelain. The white porcelain of the Joseon era possessed a distinctive CMF allure compared to its Chinese or Japanese counterparts, evident in its unique texture and hues. It was not pure white but had a slight tint; notably, it lacked the vibrant decorations and images found on Chinese and Japanese white porcelain. This aesthetic choice is believed to be influenced by Confucian principles and the pragmatism of the ruling elite, prioritizing the creation of everyday vessels. The pictured 'Moon Jar,' nearing 40cm in height, was crafted by joining its upper and lower sections, resulting in an asymmetrical aesthetic that exudes restrained beauty.

ⓒSulwhasoo

The packaging for the recently launched 'The Ultimate S Cream' by the premium cosmetic brand Sulwhasoo is inspired in shape and CMF design by the Joseon white porcelain 'Moon Jar.' The effort to impeccably replicate the texture and color of Joseon white porcelain in this product is evident.

‘hïdaXSamhwa’ K-White

ⓒhïda

The coating solution 'K-White,' another joint venture between Hida and Korea's Samhwa Paint, is born from intensive research into the shades of Korean white porcelain. Infused with a tint rather than purely white, it offers a tactile sensation akin to touching pottery. This eco-friendly paint, supplemented with oils derived from plants, demands a multi-layered application and incorporates a colorant devised by Samhwa Paint Industrial. It is currently manufactured at Hida's parent company, INTOPS.

hïda's CMF Selection

Ink

Artistry Inked with Inkstick

Ink(墨), used for calligraphy and painting, is a type of black pigment traditionally employed across various East Asian cultures. Before the advent of printing technology, it was utilized for writing and drawing. Its inherent quality, allowing for modulation of line thickness and depth, gave birth to artistic masterpieces.

In modern Korean art, works employing ink frequently stand out. Artist Song Soonam is a prime example. His oeuvre, rooted in traditional Korean ink painting philosophy, marries this with a contemporary approach to producing acclaimed pieces.

Additionally, artists like Kim Hyunjoo, who crafts fans expressing unique Korean beauty using ink and traditional Korean paper (hanji), and Jung Moseungyeon, who layers multiple sheets of hanji to create distinctive patterns and colors in lighting, deeply contemplate the essence and allure inherent in K-CMF. We invite you to delve into their creations, hoping you might draw profound inspiration from their endeavors.

hïda's CMF Selection