Fountainia: An Elegant Wine Divider

Divide wine into two wine glasses

Designed by Ruiqi Dai, the Fountainia is an elegant wine divider that allows for the equal distribution of wine into two wine glasses. Inspired by the morning dew dripping from flower petals and the mechanics of fountain design, this unique piece combines functionality with performance. The design features an upside-down wine glass as the body of the wine divider, creating a reference to its purpose and allowing the wine glasses to be placed closer together.

Fountainia stands out from other wine dividers with its ability to create a shared and dynamic drinking experience. By reducing the pouring frequency, it is particularly convenient for group gatherings such as parties and dinner meetings. The act of pouring and sharing wine becomes an intimate experience, creating an invisible tie between two people. This silent performance adds a touch of karma and playfulness to any dinner.

Hand-crafted using the hot blowing glass technique, Fountainia showcases superior quality and attention to detail. Its organic lines, inspired by flower petals, give it an elegant and graceful appearance. The design measures 120mm in width, 120mm in depth, and 250mm in height.

Ruiqi Dai's research for this project delved into the historical context of shared consumption, the psychological needs for experience design, and the concept of symbiosis in contemporary society. The technical aspect involved experimenting with glass techniques such as hot blowing, glass casting, and lampwork.

The main challenge in creating Fountainia was materializing the designer's idea and experimenting with different shapes. However, the end result is a stunning and functional design that enhances the drinking experience and fosters connections between people.

Fountainia has been awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware, and Cookware Design category in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

Images:

Image#1: Photographer Ruiqi Dai, 2018

Image#2: Photographer Ruiqi Dai, 2018

Image#3: Photographer Ruiqi Dai, 2018

Image#4: Photographer Ruiqi Dai, 2018

Image#5: Photographer Ruiqi Dai, 2018