Aitch

15/09/2018

When you hire a salesperson but she turns out to be a flower arrangement artist @ Aitch

11/09/2018

28/08/2018

Despite having existed much earlier, Bien Hoa ceramics only thrived thanks to the establishment and development of Bien Hoa School of Applied Arts (L'École Professionelle de Biên Hoà) in early 20th century.

In 1923, the French government appointed Robert Balick, who graduated from Paris Decorative School (L'Ecole National Superieure Des Arts Decoratifs de Paris), as the school's director. His wife, Mariette Balick, a graduate of Limoge School of Art (L'Ecole des Beaux Arts de Limoge), was appointed as a ceramics lecturer. This is the turning point that gave Bien Hoa ceramics its unique characteristics and later, international fame.

The Balick drew a brand new direction for the development of Bien Hoa ceramics: highly decorative with sophisticated incision details and vivid colors from new glazes created by Mariette through her experiments with local materials. The most famous glaze was the green color known as 'Vert de Bien Hoa' made from the bronze residue of the bronze casting workshop in the school. 'Vert de Bien Hoa' was praised internationally in Paris expositions in 1925 and 1932, bringing many commissions to the school.

30 years under the Balick's management (1923 - 1950) was the most glorious period of Bien Hoa school of Applied Arts and the height of Bien Hoa ceramics. Many original works from the school have now become highly sought-after by domestic and international collectors.

This 'Vert de Bien Hoa' collection was part of the restoration effort by our partner Yen Lam ceramics studio, collaborating with Bien Hoa ceramics masters who used to work for workshops in Bien Hoa in the past.

There are more collections of handcrafted objects we discovered during our journeys in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, waiting for you at Aitch Space. Come visit us everyday from 10AM to 8PM, at 4th floor, 42 bis Ly Tu Trong street, district 1. Our curator and founder will be there at weekends if you want to have more conversations

18/08/2018

A rainy day at Aitch Space

14/08/2018

Aitch Space was never built to be a souvenir shop like the ones you see in touristy streets of Saigon. It is the place for us to tell stories of Hands, Heads and Hearts.

What was in our mind when we first started was to build a place where you can really feel like you are coming home. Not like fine arts, crafts always carry that homey feeling when you look at the objects, and more importantly, when you touch them. That’s why we want to place our crafts where they naturally belong to.

However, because of their humble nature, crafts are often overlooked. For that reason, we want to give them a little bit more focus light, to bring the stories of the makers and the objects to a wider audience. We regularly pick one or a few collections that match our philosophy the most and give them an exhibition space.

You can now call Aitch Space a home-gallery for craftsmanship. Come visit us everyday from 10AM to 8PM, at 4th floor, 42 bis Ly Tu Trong street, district 1. Our curator and founder will be there at weekends if you want to have more conversations.

13/08/2018

Our staff brought home some daisy

07/08/2018

FROM THE CURATOR

'Era-less' is the first craft collection we selected to introduce to you at Aitch Space. The warmth of copper and brass, together with the beauty of oxidized patina was what attracted us at the first place. The two halves of the container remind us of the bowls the Theravada Buddhist monks use to receive alms from lay people every morning. Whatever you use this container for, make it part of a sacred ritual.

There are more collections of handcrafted objects we discovered during our journeys in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, waiting for you at Aitch Space. Come visit us everyday from 10AM to 8PM, at 4th floor, 42 bis Ly Tu Trong street, district 1. Our curator and founder will be there at weekends if you want to have more conversations.

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FROM THE DESIGNER

Era-less

Almost every metal founded in nature oxidizes. Patina is then interpreted as a mark of time on copper and brass. However, this unique colored surface becomes necessity for only antique products, and acts as a prohibition for new and modern design.
Consequently, instead of seeing patina as flaw or ruin of product like usual, we explored patina as a narrative natural effect which creates a notion of time and authenticity. By using design to draw unexpected links between aging in search for timelessness, Era-less is a collection of containers creating a new sensitive touch of time, material and value.

20/11/2016

Doodle like you're five at Aitch house