Yuki Matsueda – Teatime Distortion

Style: Conceptual 3D Pop Art / Surreal Functional Sculpture

About the Work:

In this dynamic and whimsical piece, Yuki Matsueda once again defies two-dimensional logic by introducing literal disruption to both time and space. A highly polished metal kettle appears to explode through the clear PET surface of a minimalist clock face—its bulk dragging with it the elastic plane of the artwork into a fluid, undulating warp.

The clock still ticks—but it’s no longer serene. Time is being distorted, interrupted, perhaps boiled over.

Conceptual Interpretation:

Matsueda’s consistent theme of escaping confinement takes a literal and metaphoric turn here:

• The kettle, a domestic symbol of routine, spills into the art space—suggesting a sudden break from monotony.

• The clock, a symbol of structure and discipline, is distorted and stretched—implying time’s instability or fragility under pressure.

The piece functions as both a philosophical provocation and a design object. It humorously and intelligently reflects on how daily rituals (like boiling water for tea) interfere with our perception of order, time, and reality.

Technical Execution:

• Vacuum-formed PET provides the illusion of melted or stretched plastic, creating dramatic physical tension.

• A real metal kettle, embedded into the plastic, adds functional realism and textural contrast.

• The working clock mechanism maintains the illusion of ordinary life—warped.

This piece merges sculpture, timepiece, and design object in a single conceptual gesture.

Artistic Context:

Yuki Matsueda, trained in both design and art at Tokyo University of the Arts, is known for giving static imagery kinetic agency. Here, he expands his scope from graphics and icons to domestic objects, engaging with time not just as a motif but as a physical force.