Kaoru Mende redesigns the traditional matches by substituting the wooden sticks with raw dried twigs that have tips coated with the combustible substance. The design is very poetic and places the product of match stick into a broader context that is related to its previous form before turning into a match stick – as part of the branch, the tree, the earth. However, it still remains visually as a match stick because of its additional box and the red point providing the functional and recognizable signal. The redesign of the match sticks is definitely profound and brings a broader poetic context and deeper meaning to its use and function. I especially like the point that by simply changing some subtle design of the stick, it completely changes the meaning of the match sticks and also bring nature and product together.
