About Stanley Wong (anothermountainman)

Stanley Wong, alias anothermountainman, is a visual communicator. He gained international acclaim with his redwhiteblue series, which was presented at the 51st Venice Biennale in 2005. Iconic and relatable, the redwhiteblue series has turned a common three-coloured tarp in Hong Kong into a symbol for the city - for its vibrancy, versatility, toughness, grassroots quality and many more. The work illuminates the designer’s recurrent approach of restaging popular iconology of classical Chinese art in a contemporary rendition. This redemptive gesture evokes a positive, hopeful and “going forward” attitude.

Through his design, Wong has reinvented Hong Kong identity and sparked dialogues, which makes him a unique and irreplaceable designer in Hong Kong.

Design Brief by Stanley Wong

Introduction and Background

‘I have a great personal love for the city of Kyoto in Japan.

‘I appreciate the spirit of Zen Buddhism that pervades the city.

‘It is a place with a long tradition of handcraft - something it continues to perpetuate and excel at today.’

Furniture Typology | Key Features | Materials

‘The brief is for a ‘Zen homestation’ - a piece of furniture at which two people can sit; have a tea ceremony (make and drink tea); paint and practise Chinese calligraphy; read.

‘Please think about how the piece should work - as a surface and as storage - for these activities.

‘The table top should be ‘pure and empty’ when not in use. There should be two corresponding seats with some back support.

‘The height should be lower than standard dining/desk height. Think about how the Japanese sit for these activities.

‘I like straight lines. No curves please.

‘Material - oak with a matt finish.

‘Please make use of traditional Asian woodwork techniques. Avoid using nails.’