Jip Helders

Ichi-go Ichi-e 

How can I use time as a tool?

In Ichi-go Ichi-e, I explore how time can be used as a creative tool. The project centers around a pendulum-based technique that applies flowing porcelain linework onto raw ceramic forms. As the pendulum
swings, each line becomes a physical trace of movement—a moment that cannot be repeated.
The process is guided by the Japanese philosophy Ichi-go Ichi-e, meaning “one time, one meeting.” Rooted in
traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, it reflects on the value of a single encounter—fleeting, unrepeatable, and
worth pausing for. This idea is echoed throughout the making process, where motion, material, and timing
come together in unpredictable but intentional ways.

Through studies in form and scale, I developed a method that embraces both control and coincidence.
Varying curves and dimensions revealed how the linework adapts and interacts with surface and shape. These
studies led to the final series: a ceramic set for contemporary ceremony. Bowls, trays, and platters are composed on flat porcelain surfaces, allowing each piece to connect with the next through shared lines. This set
brings together everything the project stands for—a quiet moment, shaped by time.

This page was last updated on June 16, 2025