“The kings of Canadian chic confronted a few monsters for Czech glassmaker Lasvit’s exhibition of the same name, but their manifestations were decidedly less scary than spirited. For their contribution to the Monsters show at Teatro Geralamo in central Milan, Toronto-based designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg turned to Japanese folklore, producing three tsukumogami – material objects traditionally believed to have souls – that look like avant-garde wine decanters with eyes. According to Japanese legend, an object that serves a person for a century or more acquires a soul. Such objects are known as tsukumogami – inanimate items infused with a discernible spirit. The names given by Yabu Pushelberg to their versions – Shiin, Uro-Uro and Jiro-Jiro – correspond to the identities of prospective holders. Shiin, for instance, is the silent type, while Uro-uro is “the one who would like to roam without noise.” Jiro-Jiro watches viewers intently. “Not only are the words themselves fun and have creepy/curious meanings, but we like the idea that they each personify the object,” say the designers. How, though, can Jiro-Jiro and his cohorts watch anyone? “Each glass vessel is subtly transformed with depressions, implying the watchful eyes of each object, giving the impression that the object is the viewer,” the designers explain. It’s a testament to Yabu Pushelberg’s design skill that the expressions in those eyes are so nuanced, ranging from playful to sinister, mischievous to malicious.” Via Azure Magazine.