THE TEA LOUNGE

A visual archive intended to create a virtual environment to "drink" and share tea that invokes the ritual, aesthetic, and historic qualities of tea.

Rather than the common grab-and-go cafés we are familiar with today, this space is intended for visitors to linger and mediate in.

This archive is also a space to host and share recipes for the community.

WHO

This virtual space is open to those seeking to expand and deepen their sensibility through the art and ritual practices of making tea.


︎︎︎
DRINK YOUR TEA SLOWLY AND REVERENTLY, AS IF IT IS THE AXIS ON WHICH THE WORLD EARTH REVOLVES–SLOWLY, EVENLY, WITHOUT RUSHING TOWARD THE FUTURE.

1. STEEP

︎ EMBRACE EXPERIMENTATION  & PLAY

2. DRINK

︎ INDULGE IN YOUR SENSES & NOURISH YOUR BODY

3. SHARE

︎ GATHER, ASSEMBLE, AND SEEK CONNECTIONS COLLECTIVELY

4. LINGER

︎ MEDITATE AND FIND GROUND IN YOUR OWN SOLITUDE

BACKGROUND

Tea has been around for centuries with its origins tracing back to China’s Shang Dynasty and Qin Dynasty.

Tea culture spread throughout China during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907), particularly after the completion of The Classic of Tea (Cha Jing) by Lu Yu in the 8th century. Lu Yu, a monk who later earned fame as the ‘Sage of Tea’, had an enormous impact on the spread of tea drinking and linked it to Buddhist ideas, including the harmony and mysteries of the universe”

–David Ho, Sotheby’s

The appreciation for tea spread across the globe and grew over the centuries. Medicinal and cultural qualities were attributed to tea, along with the development of teaware and tea preparation processes throughout the Song Dynasty. Steeping became the primary preparation method during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. 


Tea making continues to evolve and be in practice to this day. 

VIDEO & AUDIO CREDITS:
Invitation to Tea, Japan National Tourist Organization
“Peace and Mind” by Nadaka