MattCha's Blog: Are These the Latest Shots From NASA's Mars Rover?

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Are These the Latest Shots From NASA's Mars Rover?

Of course not. They are just some shots of tea cups by artist Kim Jeong Hoon.

Peace

7 comments:

Soïwatter said...: Wonderful chawan. I'm really keen on japanese and corean tea pottery.

I've seen beautiful cups at Musée Guimet (asian antique art museum in Paris, France) this week-end.

Too bad that they are too big for gong fu tea brewing. It would do wonderful cha xi.; August 17, 2008 at 11:56 PM
TeaMasters said...: Last Satuday, I saw a TV report on Airang (Korean TV in english) that was mostly abour Kim Jeong-ok. -I wonder if it's another way of writing his name or if it's his son?- Fascinating! Especially after seeing your blog and being in contact with Michel and other potters. This is like another world, and one either needs some keys to enter or a pure heart to appreciate its simple beauty.
Thanks for sharing.; August 18, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Matt said...: Soiwatter,

These tea cups are actually quite small. Because there is no common object as a reference point to size these cups look enormous but, they are actually just a little bigger than cups commonly used for gong fu in China. Museums and art galleries are always great places to check out old, traditional styles of teaware. Glad you enjoyed the Musee Guimet, if in Paris...

Stephane,

Kim Jeong-Ok is another great potter in Korea (there are so many). If you have a pure heart, you can appreciate not only pottery, but even the simplest things in this world. Cultivating this heart should be the goal of teaists. Of course, as you mentioned, it helps to understand and learn a bit too.

Peace; August 18, 2008 at 4:49 PM
T.alain said...: It's a french meeting here!
It's such a pleasure to read your blog Matt.Wonderful pottery,splendid photos.
@soïwatter
You can also try the "Musée cernuschi"C'est magnifique...; August 19, 2008 at 1:57 PM
toki said...: I have a very dumb question... If you fill these cups up with water and leave it, will it leaks thru the speckle?
.... sorry, just curious. I have a korean cup with speckle which sip out the content overnight : (; August 19, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Matt said...: Alain,

One will have to check them out if ever in Paris. Thanks for stopping in.

Toki,

Over long periods of time liquid can seep through the cracks. But usually it takes a considerable period of time before it does so, but it's just the most minute bit of tea that actually leaves the cup. This is true for the cracked white serving pot by Yun Sung Woun (http://mattchasblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/tea-tasting-from-foot-of-cauldron.html). The beauty of pottery is that it is composed of natural elements and is still alive in some ways.

Peace; August 20, 2008 at 10:00 AM
toki said...: Wonderful Answer! Thanks again Matt.

T; August 20, 2008 at 11:31 AM