Like Water For Bottles

While these simple white bottles may look ordinary at first glance, they are not your typical recycled rip-offs. In fact, these delicate porcelain pieces were shaped with the help of a flowing river that the designer, Xiaoli Wen, used as a ‘creative force’ to alter the container’s shape. Here’s how it worked: silicone rubber moulds made from discarded plastic and glass bottles were filled with plaster, then allowed to cure while hanging under the moving water. The result? A collection of transformed bottles that poetically embody the spirit of the river, while subtly evoking philosophical thought about change – well, so says the designer. Either way, as vases, bottles, gifts, or simple decoration, there is something romantic and beautiful about this series. Or, maybe that’s just the philosopher in me talking.