British-born but Hong Kong-based industrial designer Michael Young has built up a formidable presence in Asia, where he has produced products for titans like EOps,
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/" target="_blank" >Giant, Lacoste, Swedese and Dupont Corian. But for his current show he has taken time out from the conveyor belt to create a series of one off sculptures and handcrafted pieces. 'I started out making one offs in London, as it was all that one could make back then, but it was a passion,' he says. 'After years of mass production, it's refreshing to go back to my roots and play a little.'
Young has approached this 'play' time, however, with characteristic rigour. Working in China has opened him up to new manufacturing expertise, which he has grasped to create his latest body of work. On show at The Cat Street Gallery's epic new addition, The Space (the largest multi-purpose art venue in central Hong Kong), are pieces with complex geometric forms made from difficult processes like lost wax gravity injection, such as the honeycomb-like 'Hex' chair, and using 3D CNC technology, such as the pixelated 'Psi Tower'.
Also in the exhibition is a series of glass pieces created for Tittot, inspired by the mathematics of ancient Chinese building techniques, which Young has combined 'with some rather complex computer work to make modern abstractions'. Creating the multi-facetted designs and maintaining their sharpness pushed the process of lost wax casting to its limits, and was achieved with a lot of trial and error. 'The process for making the glassware is extremely long, complicated and totally handmade,' says his studio. 'Every step needs undivided attention.'
The show also marks the launch of a new monograph on the designer, also titled Works in China, penned by John Heskett, which charts projects that span from watches for O.D.M., to chairs for Swedese and a polo shirt for Lacoste. In it, Young frankly reveals how his battle to read and write at school helped fuel his interest in design and industry. 'It drove me to find perfection within a logic that existed elsewhere, in a language of objects and processes that were tactile and not metaphysical,' he says. 'This journey has been the education I never had.'
Detail of 'Link sculpture'
'Kaleidoscope' stool by Michael Young
'Hex' chair by Michael Young
'Hex' stool by Michael Young
'Psi Tower' by Michael Young
Glassware for Tittot by Michael Young
The new collection for Tittot combines the mathematics of ancient Chinese building techniques, with 'some rather complex computer work to make modern abstractions', says Young
Creating the multi-facetted designs and maintaining their sharpness pushed the process of lost wax casting to its limits, and involved a lot of trial and error
‘The process for making the glassware is extremely long, complicated and totally handmade,' says his studio. ‘Every step needs undivided attention'
'Chair 4a' by Michael Young
'Interstellar Sunrise' by Michael Young
'Marble Grave' by Michael Young
'Money clock' by Michael Young
ADDRESS
The Space
210 Hollywood Road
Sheung Wan
Hong Kong
-
After the floods, Valencia’s design community unitesValencia's design community launches ‘Auction for Action’ and 'Interioristas en Acción' (IED), initiatives to raise money for those effected by the floods in Spain
-
In Helsinki, Pauline Curnier Jardin has created the grotesque amusement park of her dreamsFrench artist Pauline Curnier Jardin celebrates otherness at Kiasma, Helsinki’s Museum of Contemporary Art
-
A celestial New York exhibition showcases Roman and Williams’ mastery of lightingLauded design studio Roman and Williams is exhibiting 100 variations of its lighting ‘family tree’ inside a historic Tribeca space
-
Homeware and design store Beverly’s puts down roots in New York’s ChinatownBeverly’s was founded by Beverly Nguyen as a retail destination focused on community by supporting small business owners, creatives and craftspeople
-
Highlights from Design Shanghai 2023: ‘Now is the golden age of Chinese design’Our Design Shanghai 2023 highlights, from leading Chinese designers and brands to emerging creatives
-
Shanghai’s MMR Studio is inspired by industrial processes and materialsChinese designer Zhang Zhongyu of MMR Studio is inspired by industrial processes to create furniture and objects
-
China’s Designew platform explores the design of errorsThis collection of furniture and objects is the result of a new collaborative project led by designer Mario Tsai, exploring how mistakes can positively impact the creative process
-
Hong Kong art scene expands its reachBeyond fairs, museums and galleries, Hong Kong’s burgeoning art scene is influencing its bars, restaurants and hotels
-
Four Hong Kong crafts embracing the futureHong Kong has a rich craft tradition. Meet four artisans preserving historic crafts and updating them for the 21st century in unexpected ways
-
The pared-back designs of Mario TsaiMario Tsai – named by Nendo’s Oki Sato as a creative leader of the future for Wallpaper’s 25th Anniversary Issue ‘5x5’ project – talks about his experience working as a designer and entrepreneur in China, at the cusp of innovation and tradition
-
World View: Letter from Hong KongThe World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with contributors around the world, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. In Hong Kong, design leaders Michael Young, Joyce Wang, André Fu, Marisa Yiu and Adrian Cheng are turning to new approaches and philosophies for the times ahead, writes our commissioning editor TF Chan.
