Who knew pottery could be so gentle? Astier de Villatte's tableware will make you want to hold it in your hands. The brand is hosting a pop-up event, "Voyage a Tokyo ASTIER de VILLATTE," on the third floor of the main building of the Isetan Shinjuku store until December 1st. The brand, founded by Benoît Astier-Villatte and Yvan Pericoli, who met at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, began designing, producing, and selling ceramics. Today, the brand's offerings extend beyond tableware to include furniture, candles, incense, stationery, and more. The appeal of their products lies in the beautiful, antique-like shapes and subtle variations on each piece, reminiscent of their white ceramic objects. Committed to "Made in Paris," the brand handcrafts all of its items using traditional techniques in its Paris workshop, using black clay from the outskirts of Paris. This pop-up event will feature "Japan"-themed products exclusive to the Isetan Shinjuku store. The lineup includes tableware with a Japanese motif, including sake bottles, sake cups, Japanese plates, chopstick rests, and teapots. What is the connection between this Paris-focused brand and Japan? When we spoke to designer Benoît Astier de Villatte, who was visiting Japan, we discovered a surprising story. Astier's ceramics have a white, antique feel. Where does this commitment to white come from? At art school in Paris, I studied and copied many paintings, sculptures, and other works of art, learning about their techniques. I learned many expressions and techniques from works of art from the past. When I started Astier, I decided to create each piece of ceramic using traditional techniques, just like copying paintings. Perhaps this antique feel is the result. However, I wasn't originally committed to white ceramics. You could even say that my encounter with "white" was accidental. When I first started the brand, I created beautiful objects and exhibited them at Maison & Objet (an interior design trade fair in Paris). At that time, I wanted to create pieces that could be used on a daily basis, and after much trial and error, I decided to create tableware. I wondered if there was a simple way to achieve this, and came up with the idea of using a white glaze. When I actually made white pottery, it turned out surprisingly well; it was a completely accidental inspiration (laughs)!

--Your "Japan"-themed works also include Japanese sake bottles and sake cups. Where did your inspiration for this piece come from?

Actually, I had never even heard of a sake bottle (laughs). When Isetan approached me and asked me if I wanted to create something related to Japan, I came up with the idea for this series using a completely free-spirited approach. When creating an Astier collection, I often take time to think carefully, but this time I started by thinking about what would be used in Japanese cuisine, and then I was able to work on the tokkuri, sake cups, chopstick rests, and more, as I pleased. There's actually an interesting story behind the tokkuri: in an old French custom, people sleep with a small bottle of water by their bedside, and I was surprised later to find that the tokkuri looked just like that bottle.

I particularly like the chopstick rests in the Japan series; I want to keep one close at hand and use it myself.

-- I was surprised to learn that Astier incense is made on Awaji Island in Japan. How did that come about?

We had originally been in talks with a Japanese manufacturer to produce incense, but it was difficult to find a suitable partner. Then, by chance, we came across incense from an Awaji Island manufacturer at an exhibition in New York. They didn't speak French and could only speak Japanese, so we managed to find someone who could translate and we spoke to them, and they were very enthusiastic about working with us. I actually visited Awaji Island, and the incense was made using traditional methods and was of high quality. However, it was difficult to incorporate essential oils blended in France into the traditional Japanese incense-making process. However, they proposed a forward-thinking solution, and we were able to create something new by mixing the traditional with the modern. I think this style is truly ours.

--You've also created works with Setsuko, the wife of painter Balthus. The "Setsuko Collection," which includes cat teapots and incense burners, is on display and for sale at this exhibition. Does Astier have a deep connection to Japan?

I myself have been to Japan about 15 times since my student days, when I came to exhibit at Parco Gallery in Shibuya. I met Setsuko through my parents' acquaintances at the Villa Medici in Rome. Since Balthus was a huge cat lover, I also created a piece with a cat motif. It took a long time to finalize the shape of the teapot, just as I would a sculpture. I love how the cat has such a serious expression on its face, despite the unique design of the tea coming out of its front paws.

-- Astier has already created a well-defined worldview, but how do you plan to continue the brand in the future?

Astier has always developed its ideas freely and spontaneously, I would like to continue in that style. It is precisely because it is a product of chance that interesting and wonderful things are born. I would like to continue to cherish such coincidences.

[Profile]
Astier de Villatte
Established in 1996. He creates objects inspired by antiques found at flea markets and objects picked up on the street. He has also worked on ceramic tableware, candles, incense and more, and in 2000 opened "Astier de Villatte" at 173, rue Saint-Honoré in the heart of Paris.

Benoît Astier de Villatte (Designer)

Benoît Astier de Villatte (Designer)

Benît Astier de Villatte (Designer)

Born in Rome. He studied painting and sculpture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (Paris National School of Fine Arts). His favorite Japanese landscapes are Mount Fuji, which he saw from an airplane when he visited Japan as a student, and the view of Nara, where nature and the city are in harmony.