Ceramic Nacre – Mosaic Tile Drawers
by STUDIO KIMBYUNGSUB · Seoul, South Korea

‘Ceramic Nacre’ by Byungsub Kim is part of the second edition of ‘Gen D – Generation Designer,’ a project inspired by the vision of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to support young designers and celebrate the beauty of Italy. Curated by Federica Sala, this edition brings together 11 designers under the age of 40, carefully selected from around the world, to showcase cultural diversity through the universal language of design at Via Broggi 19 in Milan.

‘Ceramic Nacre’ draws inspiration from the splendor and sophistication of traditional Italian mosaic crafts. At the same time, it reflects Korea’s rich heritage, where wood and lacquerware techniques have been developed and refined since ancient times. These techniques, which use shells and lacquer as decorative elements, have long symbolized elegance and sophistication.

In ‘Ceramic Nacre’, digital techniques reinterpret the intricate patterns of traditional lacquerware, blending classical and contemporary approaches to mosaic art. The work simultaneously embraces tradition and modernity, presenting a harmonious balance between the two.

The concept of ‘Ceramic Nacre’ is rooted in the idea of symbolizing tradition within a ‘box’ and dismantling it to create a fresh, sophisticated design. The piece’s deconstructed box-like structure represents a process of breaking free from convention and exploring new forms of expression inspired by cultural and artistic influences.

Through its layered design and intricate patterns, Ceramic Nacre embodies the convergence of tradition and innovation, emptiness and balance, culture and art, and design. It invites viewers to reimagine boundaries and discover beauty in transformation, reflecting the timeless elegance of craftsmanship and the boundless possibilities of contemporary design.

“Ceramic Nacre” was created in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana and Italian mosaic tile artisan brand BottegaNove.