Tetsuya Otani Exhibition! June 1st - June 4th at Uehara Store.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Uehara will hold a solo exhibition by ceramist Tetsuya Otani, "Tetsuya Otani Exhibition," from Saturday, June 1, 2024, to Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Mr. Otani himself will be at the store on the first day!

On the first day, admission until 1 PM will be by reserved ticket only. Tickets will go on sale at 10 PM on Saturday, May 25, on our dedicated ticket reservation site https://foodforthoughtshop.net.

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Many customers have been eagerly awaiting Tetsuya Otani's solo exhibition. This will be the first time in three years that FOOD FOR THOUGHT has hosted such an event.

The highlight of this exhibition is undoubtedly the collaboration items created with Yuko Watanabe, our director and chef! This exciting collaboration came about when Mr. Otani suggested, "Let's create dishes tailored to Yuko's cuisine." Two beautiful pieces were born, specifically designed to serve "aemono" (dressed dishes) and "spring rolls," which are Watanabe's favorite dishes that utilize seasonal ingredients.

As a big fan of Otani's pottery, Watanabe herself shares her thoughts:

"When food is served on Otani-san's pieces, your eyes are drawn solely to the food. When the vessel is empty, it has a subtle allure, but when food is added, it effortlessly enhances the dish, almost as if it magically disappears! You can truly focus on the food, making it stand out. You concentrate on the colors, shapes, and flavors of the dish. Once the food is finished, the vessel reappears, possessing a truly mysterious charm."

Watanabe's cuisine tends to be delicate and understated rather than flashy. She uses seasonal ingredients and aims to bring out their natural flavors as much as possible. Therefore, the qualities she seeks in tableware are pieces that do not overly assert themselves but act as good partners to the food. At the same time, she demands that the pieces be supremely beautiful even when viewed alone.

In this collaboration, Otani-san has created two masterpieces that embody all of these qualities. Their roundness cradles the food, while the shadows provide an appropriate contrast and depth. The white porcelain skin acts as a reflector, brightening the darker parts of the food and making it appear to float. This synergy surprised even Watanabe herself.

Of course, the pieces themselves are of incomparable beauty. Their presence evokes organic forms, with a meticulously calculated balance. When stacked, they are so creative and precise that they function as modern art, cutting through the surrounding air.

The two collaboration items will, of course, make their debut at this exhibition. Due to the very intricate production process, a limited number of pieces will be available. We hope you will enjoy Otani-san's new worldview, whether in your home or at a restaurant.

The white porcelain skin, where roundness and hardness blend, makes the food shine. The finely honed form of the vessels, designed for practical use, enhances the food and makes it look beautiful.

Of course, we want you to fully immerse yourself in Otani-san's magical world, from his classic works to large pieces unique to this exhibition, and even Chinese teaware.

From long-time fans to newcomers, we invite everyone to experience the "aesthetics of subtraction" that permeate Otani-san's work at the venue.

Our staff sincerely looks forward to your visit!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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