Yuki Matsueda – Teatime Distortion

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.