Now this is the kind of artwork that gets you looking twice! Chinese artist Lei Xue has a lot to say about modern consumer culture as well as humanity's history of consumption. In the artist's ongoing Drinking Tea art series, Xue has created tea-inspired art that combines old and new drinking in a startling manner.

• Lei Xue's art combines beverage can design with porcelain to critique modern consumption.
• The artwork emphasizes the environmental impact of our choices in everyday items like drinkware.
• Porcelain's durability, appeal, and versatility make it an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable items.

Hand Painted Porcelain Tea Cups Meet Cans!

Nowadays most drinks people enjoy come straight out of a can. Whether it's soft drink/soda, alcohol, or even tea and coffee -- there's a can of it out there just waiting for you to purchase it. Lei Xue's comment on our consumption of these drinks combines the overall look and style of a ring-pull can with the material of promotional ceramic mugs. The resulting sculptures are both arresting and intriguing.

• Lei Xue's art combines beverage can design with porcelain to critique modern consumption.
• The artwork emphasizes the environmental impact of our choices in everyday items like drinkware.
• Porcelain's durability, appeal, and versatility make it an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable items.

Xue makes these ceramic pieces using traditional methods and hand paints each design. The familiar blue-on-white ceramic art is based on the exquisite illustrations painted on Ming Dynasty vases and drinkware. While Xue is critical of the carelessness with which we consume our canned drink nowadays, he believes that our view of drink containers as disposable has been around since the beginning of time.

Although we can't undo years of tossing away cans and cups, we can start thinking of how coffee and tea cups a bit differently. Whether you buy a porcelain cup with Ming style branding or a simple eco-friendly reusable cup, it's never too late to consider how your promotional merchandise will impact the environment.

The Benefits

Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is appreciated and utilized for its unique qualities. Here are some of the benefits of using porcelain:

• Durability: Porcelain is known for its hardness and durability. It is more resistant to chipping and cracking compared to other ceramics, which makes it a long-lasting choice for a variety of applications.

• Low Porosity: Porcelain is highly resistant to liquid penetration due to its low porosity. This makes it less likely to stain and easier to clean, ideal for dinnerware, tiles, and bathroom fixtures.

• Heat Resistance: Porcelain's high melting point allows it to withstand high temperatures without breaking or cracking. This makes porcelain dishes safe for use in microwaves and ovens.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Porcelain has a beautiful, translucent quality when held up to the light, and it allows for intricate designs and patterns. It's often used for fine china and decorative items because of its elegant appearance.

• Hygienic: The non-porous surface of porcelain makes it hygienic, as it doesn't harbor bacteria or odors. This makes it a popular choice for kitchenware and medical applications.

• Chemical Resistance: Porcelain is resistant to chemicals and acidic materials, preventing any reaction that could impact its look or durability.

• Versatility: Porcelain can be crafted into a wide range of products, including dinnerware, tiles, sanitary fixtures, dental crowns, and more. Its versatile nature makes it applicable in various domains, from home decor to dentistry.

These attributes make porcelain a highly desirable material for many applications. However, it's also worth noting that porcelain is typically more expensive than other ceramics due to the complexity of its production process and its high-quality characteristics.

Takeaway:

Lei Xue's Drinking Tea art series, which merges the form of modern-day beverage cans with the material of high-end porcelain tea cups, offers a thoughtful critique of our consumption habits. The artist's work prompts us to consider how our choices, even in drinkware, impact the environment. The benefits of using porcelain, including durability, aesthetics, and versatility, underlines the value of sustainable, long-lasting materials over disposable ones.

Cans first spotted here: http://www.lostateminor.com/2017/04/05/artist-makes-crushed-cans-that-look-like-ming-dynasty-porcelain/