Porcelain Bear by Mike Leavitt x Klimenkoff

Mike Leavitt is, to me, one of the most interesting young object designers in the US. His work has impact, and just when you think you have him figured out, he switches his medium or technique.

This July, he presents a solo show in Seattle at Far4, a place that Leavitt describes as “the showroom of the most unique porcelain manufacturing studio on the planet, Klimenkoff Studio.” [Ed note: Anybody who sells porcelain sacs is OK by me, but how about a tie for first place with France’s porcelain purveyors, K. Olin Tribu?] Leavitt’s show is likely to mark the debut of the first white porcelain edition of his bear (shown above). Quoth Mike: “Considering the exquisite precision, delicacy and immaculate beauty of Klimenkoff Studio’s products, I couldn’t be more excited about this new collaboration.”

That makes two of us, as I seem to have picked up a bit of the old quarry dust myself recently. Looks like Leavitt may have caught the porcelain bug following his collaborations with Charles Krafft. If you’re in the Seattle area, go say hi to Mike for me at Far4 on July 7th!

UPDATE: Mike just updated his site with this progress shot and explanation: “The entire piece is a hollow vase with an opening in the gun’s tip for a single flower to sit in.” Love the flower in the gun idea. Functional art objects FTW!