“What’s the TEA?”

Stoneware, teabag, and paper

5 x 9 x 8 in.

"What's the TEA?" is a 3D-printed ceramic teacup that merges the traditional and contemporary through design and symbolism.  The @ symbol adorning the cup's surface alludes to the pervasive influence of the internet and social media. This innovative teacup is specifically designed to hold tea bags from the "What's the TEA?" brand, which takes its name from a popular internet slang phrase used to inquire about the latest gossip or news. By marrying time-honored cultural design elements with cutting-edge technology and modern vernacular, this piece of functional art challenges the boundaries between past and present, as well as the ever-evolving nature of human communication, while engaging with the digital era's unique cultural landscape.