Utanalog, Ceramic Utah Teapot

The Utah teapot is a 3D computer model created in 1975 by Martin Newell, Phd student at the university of Utah, and which has become a standard reference object in the computer graphics community. It is a simple, round, partially concave mathematical model of an ordinary Melitta teapot. The objective of Utanalog by Unfold is to return the iconographic teapot to its roots as a piece of functional dish-ware while showing its status as an icon of the digital world.

The Utah teapot is a 3D computer model created in 1975 by Martin Newell, Phd student at the university of Utah, and which has become a standard reference object in the computer graphics community. It is a simple, round, partially concave mathematical model of an ordinary Melitta teapot. The objective of Utanalog by Unfold is to return the iconographic teapot to its roots as a piece of functional dish-ware while showing its status as an icon of the digital world.

The Utanalog was part of the exhibition Bits 'n Pieces in New York. It was presented together with an animation explaining the history of the Utah teapot.

The Utah teapot is for sale in our webshop. It is made from high quality white porcelain with a transparent glazing only on the inside to preserve the sharp polygon edges. The production was made by Stockmansporcelain, a Belgian porcelain manufacturer, famous for fine designs and high quality.

Many thanks for their support: Stockmansporcelein, Peter Verbruggen for molding and slipcasting the first Prototype, Materialise for printing the master mould, and the Flemish authorities for their financial support.

Utanalog has been acquired by the following institutes for their permanent collection: Computer History Museum, Mountain View (US) & Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney (AU)

Utanalog has been featured in, amongst others: Bits 'n Pieces at Material Connexion New York (US); Out of Hand at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney (AU); Henry van de Velde Awards at Bozar Brussels (BE)

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