Alfie Shao's "Four Treasures of the Study": A Modern Take on Traditional Artistry

Reviving the Spirit of Traditional Chinese Art Through Innovative Product Design

The "Four Treasures of the Study" are indispensable tools for scholars: the brush, ink, paper, and ink stone. These items, once used for expressing diverse interpretations and performances, have been transformed by Shao into modern-day mediums. The brush has been converted into fountain and light pens, the ink into mobile power banks, the paper into flash drives, and the ink stone into business card stands.

Shao's design was inspired by the ability of these four treasures to transform artistic creations into elegant characters filled with sparkling gems and precious wisdom. Despite the advancement of technology, which has led to a decrease in the use of these traditional tools, Shao believes that the enjoyment of the thunderstruck feeling brought by characters and writings should not be forgotten.

The design was realized using primarily cement and metals as raw materials. With the help of digital technology, Shao combined the cement foundation base with the eternal property of metal materials to create a stationary set that possesses diverse forms and a recombination of break and join. The design also features a unique cross-section modeling, which displays a conversion of simulating those horseback imaginaries appeared on traditional architecture.

One of the challenges Shao faced during the design process was the transformation of the four objects from antiquities to modernizations. However, through a modernistic transformation, he was able to create a possible convergent realm where history is able to encounter the present day.

This design project, which was completed in 2016 in Taiwan, is a testament to Shao's commitment to preserving traditional Chinese art and culture while embracing the advancements of modern technology. It is a perfect example of how design can serve as a bridge between the past and the present, and how it can be used to keep traditions alive in a rapidly changing world.

Shao's "Four Treasures of the Study" is not just a product design, but a gift item that carries a rich cultural heritage. It is a reminder of the beauty of traditional Chinese artistry and a testament to the power of innovative design. As Shao himself puts it, "with simple and pure deliveries of writing, the messages and heritage at all times can always be extended and passed down."