These vases made of sand are shaped according to the principles of an old Japanese game.
The game, called Bou-Toshi, begins as a mound of sand with a pole jammed in the centre. Players take turns removing sand until the pole eventually loses stability and collapses.
Designer Yukihiro Kaneuchi swaps the traditional pole for a glass tube and embalms the heap in resin to prevent the grains of sand from scattering away, so that the vases appear to be on the brink of disintegration.
Here is some more information from the designer:
Sand
Taking inspiration from the game 'Bou-Toshi', I've created a series of vases made of sand and resin.
The game is simple. First, players make a heap of sand and place a pole in the centre.Then each player takes turns removing sand, the one who causes the pole to fall loses.
With its primitive element of creation and destruction, this game has been played for centuries. Here, the pole is transformed to a glass tube – time stopped with resin. The shape nears collapse, bringing a tension and delicate beauty to the flower.