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Design After Death: Ceramics That Literally Rise From the Ashes

Design Enthusiasts: Instead of carrying on your legacy through objects you leave behind after death, you can now become a piece of functional art for the home:

Is the bread and wine combo a Jesus reference, perhaps?

Designed to “recreate the experience of confronting mortality in everyday life,” Nourish is a collection of ceramic dinnerware composed of bowls, plates and cups, designed by  by the experimental companies Justin Crowe Studio and Chronicle Cremation Designs. The dinnerware is created just like any other ceramic—except the glaze has the ashes of 200 anonymous people mixed into it, permanently decorating the pieces with mortality and sadness.

“Our memorial products help fold the memory of passed loved ones into daily life by transforming ashes into remarkable design objects for your home.”

The ceramics are elegant and actually evoke a sense of calmness—just by looking at them, you’d have no idea what lies on their surfaces. Chronicle already sells personalized bowls, vases and jewelry using this same technique, but when put in the context of a dinner party, it kind of feels like you’re watching a group of classy Hannibal Lecters enjoy a meal together.

The concept is beyond creepy at first, but when you think about it, the idea of carrying on life after death to a well designed object for the home has some appeal (just maybe skip the drinking glasses). For those of us that would benefit from physical reminder of our deceased loved ones, these ceramics are a well designed option to keep in mind in place of the classic ‘don’t spill grandma’s ashes’ scenario. 

http://www.core77.com/posts/59454/Design-After-Death-Ceramics-That-Literally-Rise-From-the-Ashes