When I first came across dua's Seismographic Vases I was struck by their intricate form: reduced and clean, yet complex and playful. The vases are asymmetric without looking accidental, but rather seem to follow a somewhat organic pattern.

The key to the vases' special appearance lies in their names. Seismographs are used to measure and record ground motion caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. The seismograms of two different earthquakes (New Zealand 2011, Italy 2012) form the basis of the vases and give them their names:

Form follows movement. The objects pursue the concept of creating a form by deducing seismic waves and the correlative recordings of a seismograph. Therefore selected parts of the two-dimensional curve shape determine the asymmetrical vase design.

When I hear earthquake I think of disorder, chaos, destruction. But the conceptual approach of German product designer Jonathan Radetz allows for something new to emerge from the rough forces of nature. Made of biscuit porcelain the fragility of the vases contrasts with their violent story of origin. In their dynamic form and raw white surface resonate the power, beauty and brutality of the elements.