five onigiri cases
2023 / gold card stock, grey paper / assorted sizes
five onigiri cases is a playful yet thoughtful exploration of paper as both a functional and aesthetic medium. Using gold card stock and grey paper, Ching Kai crafted five distinct designs of casings to hold onigiri — Japan’s iconic rice snack. Each casing invites contemplation on how form, texture, and design can respond to context: from the seasons to individual flavors or even the personalities of users within a shared household.
This work builds upon his previous series, all that glisters, which questioned the balance between functionality and ornamentation in everyday objects. By adapting the same materials, five onigiri cases continues this dialogue while introducing a modular quality. The shared triangular silhouette of the onigiri becomes a canvas for endless reinterpretation through the flexibility of paper.
Ultimately, this piece celebrates paper as a versatile and expressive medium, challenging the way we perceive and interact with utilitarian objects, and sparking curiosity about the intersections of practicality and artistry in design.
First exhibited at "crafty?" by Critical Craft Collective, GR.iD, Singapore