• the mug
  • the mug
  • the mug
  • the mug

    the mug

    Regular price €25,00
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    the mug is, in the most straightforward sense, a classic white mug—but it carries an implicit question: what is this mug, really? We are compelled to label it “the mug,” not for any functional purpose, but to point out the futility of the label itself. It is a mug, yes—but only in its function. When we say it is “the mug,” we ask whether the term itself reduces its presence, or if it elevates it to something more abstract. In its simplicity, the the mug is a meditation on what we see, what we name, and what we assume. It’s the question that hangs between the known and the unknown, between object and symbol. In the end, it is what you choose to see. the mug is part of the the thing Series.

    The the thing Series is not simply about products; it’s about perception, identity, and the subtle interplay between language and representation. Each piece in the series invites you to engage with the world through a different lens – one where the ordinary becomes something more nuanced. It is both an invitation and a question: when we call something by its name, does it still retain its essence, or does it become something else entirely? This collection draws from the surrealists, particularly René Magritte’s “The Treachery of Images“ – the painting of a pipe with the words “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” beneath it. Magritte’s work challenges us to confront the gap between appearance and reality. A pipe isn’t just a pipe. It’s an image of a pipe, a signifier of an idea, not the object itself. Magritte asks us to look beyond the surface and see the layers of meaning beneath. In the same spirit, we present objects that may seem ordinary but are, in fact, laden with layers of thought. By labeling items as what they are, we question whether they truly are those things, or if the act of naming them transforms their meaning.

    • Full-wrap design in full-color print
    • Made of ceramic
    • Capacity: 350 ml
    • Dishwasher safe

    This item is in stock and will be shipped within 2 to 4 days after order.

    the thing Gallery offers unique, curated items from independent designers and artists, supporting creativity and critical journalism.

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