glass ⇄ plastic
“When asked why I like old plastics, I can only say, “I just do!” As I collected them over time, I found myself wanting to transform this plastic, which was born as a substitute for glass, back into glass. It felt delightfully nonsensical to reproduce plastic in glass. This wasn’t just about copying; it sparked a trial-and-error process of cutting and pasting. This is where I can truly showcase my skills as an artist and face challenges. Some of these creations have continued to evolve and have become staples in my workshop. Humanity has produced plastics and has relied on them extensively, but we are now moving to eliminate them due to their negative impact on the environment. Kenmei Nagaoka began discussing the beauty of the aging process of plastics. Ultimately, this leads to the idea of using things for a long time instead of disposing of them. I wholeheartedly agree.”
－ Kazumi Tsuji
Reclaimed blue
“The reclaimed blue project, which started in 2011, is now in its eighth year. After making the staple piece “menchoko” for 20 years, it’s only natural that some people might want to part with them. However, seeing these items sold at flea markets doesn’t sit well with me as an artist. I enthusiastically announced that I would take back any unwanted menchoko, but there have been few returns. Each year, I also gather glass shards and failed pieces in my workshop, which I plan to melt down to create something special.
The deep indigo shade produced from the melted materials is particularly intriguing; since my standard works contain a lot of black, mixing them with other glass allows the cobalt component to emerge. This shade varies slightly each year. So, what should I create? Given that these materials were once waste, I want to imbue them with a sense of value and irony. I’m curious about how I might create the admired Joseon white porcelain and ceramics from the Tang and Song dynasties through my own lens. I look forward to the challenge of regenerating both the materials and their forms.”
－ Kazumi Tsuji
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PROFILE
Kazumi Tsuji was born in Ishikawa in 1964. After studying at California College of the Arts, she joined the Utatsuyama craft studio in Kanazawa as a glass artisan. Tsuji established her own glass studio, factory zoomer, in 1999 with a focus on glass containers. In 2005 factory zoomer/shop opened, and in 2010, she was appointed chief director for a craft project institution in Kanazawa.
