Designer Tereza Hradilkova gives snail mail a decidedly modern edge with her innovative interpretation of the classic pop-up card. Her intricately crafted greetings offer whimsical laser-cut reflections of South China cityscapes, from Hong Kong's iconic skyline to Macau's traditional landscape.
Trained as an architect, Czech-born, Hong Kong-based Hradilkova says her 'Porigami' creations were inspired by visits to Japan. 'The fabrics, stamps and paper art are simple but beautiful - especially the paper-cut works of Masahiro Chatani,' she says. She came by the word play in the name rather fortuitously: '"Pori" is my nickname and "gami" means paper in Japanese.'
The delicate structures are brought to life by vivid red architectural elements. Sophisticated details add further intrigue: in one card, a tram set against a city block captures Hong Kong's unique blend of old and new; ditto an elegant tower clad in minutely detailed bamboo scaffolding.
Each set of nine cards - available from the Sidewalk store in Hong Kong (HK$400) and the Sidewalk website - is printed on recycled card stock. Hraoilkoua also offers a larger, special-edition 'Year of the Dragon' card in time for Chinese New Year, designed with hand-carved stamps and her trademark bold red ink (HK$60). Or you can have her customise a design to your specifications.
Hong Kong bamboo scaffolding
Year Of The Dragon (special edition size measures 12.5x20cm)
St Paul's, Macau
Hong Kong Hakka House
Hong Kong Island skyline
Hong Kong tram
Macau A Ma Temple
Peak Tower, Hong Kong
Tai O, Hong Kong
Set of nine cards (8.5x13cm) with red envelopes
ADDRESS
Sidewalk
4 - 6 Gough Street
Central
Hong Kong
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