Mincius Drinking Glass

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Mincius cup is made by hand-made glass blowing technology.
When the liquid level is at several different heights, the rotating cup can see the naturally formed heart shape.
It is an ergonomic design that combines meditation and Zen with function. Its design language comes from connecting nature and daily life by simulating the shape of zen rock stacking and becomes a tool to expand spirit.
Its streamline design enables people with different hand types to hold it comfortably.

Dimensions & Packaging

Maximum Width 103 mm x Height 91 mm

Tags

Glass, design, tradition, quality, blown glass，Zen，Meditation，Rocks, stacking rock

Production Technology

The material used is heat-resistant glass. It was blown in the hot workshop of the glass studio.

Design Challenge

The biggest challenge is to constantly negotiate with the glass studio to modify and polish this incomplete rule shape. It should meet the requirements of hot glass blowing molds at the same time, and be designed to be able to observe the heart-shaped liquid level reflection from different angles when loading liquid, without sacrificing the comfort of human grasping, and at the same time, it should also take into account the relatively slender handshape of Asian lady.

Project Duration

The project was launched in Guangzhou, China in March 2020 and finished in October 2020. It was exhibited and included in Tmall's original design list, and was sold online in December 2020.

Operation Flow

This item is suitable for a variety of daily life scenes. It can be used to drink drinks with various temperatures and alcohol. When the liquid level is from the middle height to the lowest, the cup can observe the natural heart shape from different angles to assist in daily meditation. It can also become an artistic ornament simulating rock stacking when it is idle and inverted.
It provides a comfortable feeling of grasping hands in the middle position while modeling. Glass can be washed in the dishwasher.

Research

My research goal is to promote cross-cultural understanding through the innovation of the relationship between people and daily objects. Mincius is homophonic with the Chinese word "ghost cultivation", which means a journey of meditation and practice. In order to achieve this goal, I spent a long time visiting glass handicraft studios and factories all over China to study the handmade glass blowing process. Mincius is the second work of my glass meditation series.

Inspiration

The design was inspired by the personal hobby of collecting naturally formed heart-shaped rocks in mid-latitude temperate forests and the spiritual meaning of rock stacking across cultures over the centuries. Each stone can express a kind of grace of gratitude, while transparent glass can outline this Zen form at different angles and under different lights. I hope to integrate this form into daily utensils so that it can become both art decoration and functionality.

Image Credits

Image #1 : Photographer Siyu Liu
Image #2 : Photographer Siyu Liu
Image #3 : Photographer Siyu Liu
Image #4 : Photographer Siyu Liu
Image #5 : Photographer Siyu Liu

Patents

Patented. 2020308274016. Siyu Liu. 2020. P.R.China.

Colors of Mincius Drinking Glass