Tea versus celadon: some chromatic interactions

Abstract

The tea as well as the stoneware named celadon in Occident, are inventions originate from China. The triad established by the “Elements” tea, celadon and jade is emblematic in the culture of the Middle Kingdom and encompasses numerous symbolic. The existing synergy between these three materials is, finally, based on imitation (mimèsis) developed by Aristotle in his celebrated book Poetic [1]. Thus, based on this schematic triad, chromatic effects are appearing and disappearing. Sometimes recreating landscape sensation, sometimes recreating material substance (jade). User takes up a lot of space in this relationship which combines both utilitarian tool and edible substrate. He is the one who will help to create poetic (poiètikè) dimension into these two items.

Over a first phase, it’s important to contextualize the origin of this practice which remains, otherwise, very current in Chinese tradition. Then, we will discuss components accountable for intensify the variable character existing between tea and celadon. The latter will, naturally, bring us to the question of interaction of color. That’s why, the experimental and emblematic approach of the artist-painter and teacher, Josef Albers, will be develop in a third section. We will finish by describing how usage scenarios might be innovative through the poetic scope.