If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, China has become master of sweet-talk, studying its neighbours' design innovations and tweaking them for its own discerning population. Now the innovative Dutch design outfit Droog has turned the tables with a new collection that pirates the pirates.
The practice recently launched 26 new pieces for the home, each of them indebted to classic Chinese design yet spun in a new and creative way. From a squat clay teapot that plays on traditional contours to a witty take on the fish tank, each 'New Original' improves upon the archetype, either in form, usability or simply the message it sends to the world. Replication, they seem to say, can actually be a driver for innovation.
The role-reversal was first proposed by Droog Lab, Droog's in-house think tank. Enlisting Chinese architects Urbanus, Hong Kong graphic designer Stanley Wong and Dutch designers Richard Hutten and the late Ed Annink, the Lab led a field trip to Shenzhen, hub of China's so-called copycat culture. In that environment the team studied the local design heritage while also surveying the modern approach to development.
The results go far towards alleviating the stigma of the copycat label while enabling a fresh appreciation to time-honoured products. Taking the theme one step further, the designers chose to exhibit the collection at the Zhen Jia shopping mall in Guangzhou, a neighbour of Shenzhen, where the original copycats can learn about us learning about them.
The vases pay homage to China's long history of porcelain-making, yet have a thoroughly modern appearance
The Dutch design outfit also invited Dutch in on the project. He came back with a design for 'Tea Pot', which replaces the traditional teapot handle with a more ergonomic version in Chinese red
Taking the theme one step further, the designers chose to unveil the new collection at the Zhen Jia shopping mall in Guangzhou, a neighbour of Shenzhen, the copycat 'hub' of China
The results of Droog's 'The New Original' project go far towards alleviating the stigma of the archetypal copycat label while enabling a fresh appreciation to time-honoured products
Turning the archetypal Chinese restaurant inside out, 'Fish Tank' sees miniature versions of typical dining furniture arranged inside a fish tank, a ubiquitous design element in Chinese restaurants
A pair of 3D-printed 'Lantern Lightbulbs' by Studio Droog hang over the New Original collection showcase at Zhen Jia shopping mall
ADDRESS
Hi space
Zhen Jia shopping mall
4th floor, No 228
Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China
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