DESIGN NAME: Tribute Wau
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Multifunction Pendant
INSPIRATION: The Malaysian Wau is a intricately designed kite of various shapes such as the crescent moon, birds and others. It is an ancient traditional Malaysian heritage that is sadly rapidly diminishing.
Tribute Wau hopes to preserve and inspire the next generation of Wau makers by bringing focus to a craft that is slowly being lost in the rapidly developing country.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Tribute Wau follows the tradition of handmade craftsmanship, the carved Nephrite Jade insert brings a Chinese feel to an otherwise tradtionally Malay piece. The tails of Tribute Wau move with you, reflecting the feel of wind flowing along the kite as it soars through the skies where it belongs, free of earthly ties.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The Wau is primarily designed to be worn as a pendant, it can be worn as a brooch as well. The tails sway with movement giving the impression of the wind fluttering through them.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in Malaysia in June 2018 finished in December 2018.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Crafted in 18K gold, set with natural blue Sapphires, carved natural Nephrite Jade set with brilliant round Diamonds.
The concept was hand drawn and then designed in 3D. It was then 3D printed and cast to be used as a mould. Sapphires were selected and set to achieve a colour gradient. The Nephrite Jade is hand carved and and set with Diamonds.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 86mm x 18mm x 118mm
33 grams
TAGS: Malaysia, Cultural, Traditional, Wau, Kite, Sky, Bird
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Tribute Wau was born of a missed opportunity to meet the legendary Master Kite-maker, Shafie Jusoh, who regrettably passed away just as Tina Winness was about to make a trip to learn more from him about the craft.
Gaining inspiration from International Kite Festivals held in Malaysia, kite designs and kite-flying activities were studied. It was decided to incorporate the essence of the wind in the design.
Tina Winness incorporates her own Chinese heritage, which resulted in an unmistakably Malaysian kite, but evokes a sense of meshing of cultures, for which Malaysia is well known for.
CHALLENGE: Historically Waus are traditionally a Malay cultural kite. While preservation of tradition was the main objective in this design, Tina Winness felt that as a whole, Malaysia had become culturally diverse. enough that meshing the traditionally Malay kite with some Chinese elements would be accepted.
The main production challenge was finding a way to set the diamonds into the jade. Attempting to mount the stone directly caused the jade to crack. As a result the diamonds had to be bezel-set before being able to mount them into the jade.
ADDED DATE: 2019-01-28 03:20:17
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Tina Winness Wong and Alvin Tan
IMAGE CREDITS: Images #1 to #4 by Photographer Jeff Lok, Bigmind Concept 2019
Image #5 by Alvin Tan
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