Module - SAKE Cup Project — VENETIA INITIATIVES NEW YORK

SAKE Cup Project, Greenwich St. New York, Private Collection

Nov 14-Dec 16, 2021 ~ curated by Ilias Christopoulos (ceramist, Peloponnese, Greece) and Venetia Kapernekas

Ilias Christopoulos (Studio: Kalami, Messinia, Greece)

Keiyona C.Stumpf (Studio: Biburg, Augsburg, Germany)

Charoula Koropouli (Studio: Patras, Greece)

Filippo Flego (Studio: Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Aggeliki Politi (Studio: Messini, Greece)

Ben Suga (Studio: Catskills Mountains, New York)

SAKE Cup Project

Sharing a Cup Together ‘Haisen’ (sake cup basin): The “haisen” was a basin containing water to wash sake cups. In Japan, people believe that drinking sake out of the same cup is to understand how each person feels. This exchange is called “kenshu,” and refers to both offering and being offered a sake cup. After drinking all the sake you are offered, you turn the cup upside down, rinse it with water, and return it for the other person to drink from. The haisen basin acts as the “go-between” in this ritual.

The overflowing of the ’sake cup’ is an act of kindness and generosity by the host to show their appreciation for your friendship

It is also a little act of celebration to lift the spirits and to enjoy the present state of life.

Participating artists

Ilias Christopoulos (Studio: Kalami, Messinia, Greece), Keiyona C.Stumpf (Studio: Biburg, Augsburg, Germany) , Filippo Flego (Studio: Amsterdam, Netherlands), Vassiliki Kyriaki (Studio: Athens, Greece), Manos Kalamenios (Studio: London, United Kingdom), Kostas Karakitsos (Studio: Avramilia, Kavala, Greece), Charoula Koropouli (Studio: Patras, Greece), Tatjiana Kunst (Studio: New York), Jenny Min (Studio: West Village, New York), Christina Morali (Studio: Attica, Greece), Dora Morphi (Studio: Patras, Greece), Aggeliki Politi (Studio: Messini, Greece), Ben Suga (Studio: Catskills Mountains, New York), Maro Theodorou (Studio: Kalambaka, Greece), Yiorgos Trichas (Studio: Athens, Greece), Elena Vasilantonaki, Πilόs Clay Art (Studio: Athens, Greece), Giorgos Vavatsis (Studio: Thessaloniki, Greece), Theodora Tsirakoglou (Studio: Tatoiou 109, Acharnae, Attiki, Greece), Giannis Zois (Studio: Ipponaktos 25, Athens, Greece)

Invitation ‘SAKE Cup Project’ Designed by Iou D.

Ilias Christopoulos, 2021, Studio: Kalami (Messinias, Greece) | Photos ©Robert Zervos

Vassiliki Kyriaki - Balance Cups (3).jpg

Vassiliki Kyriaki - Balance Cups (2).jpg

Vassiliki_3K4A1755_PhotographedByGiorgosVitsaropoulos.jpg

Vassiliki Kyriaki, 2021, Ceramics Studio: Athens (Greece)

Balance cups’ by Vassiliki Kyriaki (white and colored porcelain ash glass fired at 1260°C
Photos © Giorgos Vitsaropoulos | Assistant photographer, retouching: Dimitra Tzanou

Keiyona C.Stumpf (Studio: Biburg, Augsburg, Germany)

Manos Kalamenios (Studio: London, United Kingdom)

Dora Morphi (Studio: Patras, Greece)

Charoula Koropouli (Studio: Patras, Greece)

Filippo Flego, 2021, Architect Studio: Amsterdam (Netherlands)

’As far as a profound sights go, there is little that can measure up to a deep pattern in the wood, it's like staring into a fire. You always see a new face in the flames. (Lars Myttyng The Sixteen Trees of the Somme)
Sake Cups in Dutch Douglas Fir
Well seasoned logs, meant for firewood, allowed carving thin walls. The splitting left and animated pattern, polished and untreated.
The tray has been shaped, burned and oiled.
Filippo Flego, architect, lives in Amsterdam. During the lockdown, spent in East Netherlands countryside, started carving wood.’ (words: Filippo Flego)
Photo (middle) ©Filippo Flego