Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka may not be a waterbender, but he does specialize in creating water-themed home pieces, like this amazing bench. During the casting process, gold brass is melted in a 1100° furnace, poured into a sand mold, left to cool, and then polished by experienced craftsmen to create its shimmering gold surface. Continue reading for a few “making of” pictures and information.
“The ‘water block’ was realized in golden brass on the occasion of an exhibition at the golden pavilion temple – Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto, Japan. The structure was built as a symbol of Kitayama culture by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third general of Ashikaga shogunate during the Muromachi period of japan in 1397. The design draws its metallic influences from the second and third floor spaces of the zen temple building�designated as one of the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto, and is a world heritage site – which are covered with gold foils,” according to Design Boom.
