Agar Archive-Spore Incense Holder 琉璃木耳香盤

SPORE extends the line of inquiry initiated by Archive 01 · SEED, shifting attention from plants to fungi—organisms that exist beyond flora and fauna.

Occupying a position between the microscopic and the visible world, fungi reveal the intricate relationships that connect microorganisms, plants, and humans within broader ecological systems. Among them, the wood ear is one of the earliest gelatinous fungi to be cultivated on a large scale and integrated into human food culture. Its long history of cultivation and consumption makes it a compelling subject through which to explore the intertwined histories of fungi and humans.

Unlike plants, whose life cycles are largely organised around a single rooted body, fungi develop through interconnected mycelial networks. They reproduce through the dispersal of spores, while any viable fragment of mycelium can become the origin of new growth. Rather than unfolding as an isolated organism, fungal life persists as a distributed network—continuously expanding, adapting, and regenerating.

Seen in this way, the fungus offers another understanding of individuality: not as a self-contained entity, but as a condition sustained through connection, responsiveness, and coexistence.

SPORE reinterprets the wood ear's soft, translucent folds through the material qualities of cast Liuli glass. Its organic morphology is preserved while taking on a new visual presence. An opening transforms the object into an incense holder, while its gently curved form also functions as a small vessel.

Through this transformation, the fungus is released from our habitual perception of the wood ear and encountered instead as an unfamiliar natural form. It points toward modes of life that already exist, yet remain beyond the limits of ordinary perception.

Note: The color of the glass may vary in tone and depth depending on the surrounding light and background. Product images are for reference only and should not be regarded as a definitive representation of the actual color.

Instructions for Use: Select a suitable incense stick and insert it into the opening of the SPORE incense holder. Place the holder in an open, well-ventilated area, away from any obstructions.

Allow the incense to burn naturally. As it burns, the ash will gradually fall and settle at the bottom of the holder, following the path of the incense.

＊Incense sticks are not included with this product.

About the Packaging

• Inspired by the traditional method of wrapping medicinal herbs in paper, the packaging uses naturally textured paper that is carefully folded, wrapped, and tied by hand. By bringing an old method into contemporary daily life, the relationship between people and objects is allowed to unfold slowly. Through the quiet labor of the hands, these small gestures offer a gentle response to the speed and simplification of modern life.
• Instructions for use are attached to the product in the form of a lightweight, minimal hang tag.
• In keeping with an environmentally conscious approach, the packaging has been designed with sufficient cushioning and protection for transportation. No additional rigid shipping box is used.

About the Traditional Lost-Wax Glass Casting Process

Traditional cast-glass craftsmanship, also known as lost-wax glass casting, is a centuries-old artisanal technique whose origins in China can be traced back to the Han dynasty.

Using natural mineral-based materials, each piece undergoes more than ten meticulous stages, including wax sculpting, mold-making, high-temperature firing, cooling, and polishing. The result is glass with a warm, translucent quality and richly preserved details.

Because each piece is cast from an individual mold, variations in texture, translucency, and light transmission naturally occur, making every piece unique.

Mineral Inclusions & Color Specks｜These features originate from naturally occurring minerals within the glass material and emerge during the high-temperature firing process. Their appearance, distribution, and coloration vary from piece to piece.

Air Bubbles｜During the handcrafted firing process, small amounts of air may become naturally trapped within the molten glass, forming tiny bubbles. The number, size, and shape of these bubbles vary in every piece.

＊The characteristics described above are natural features of handcrafted cast glass and are not considered defects. As each piece is individually made, variations are inherent to the process and do not constitute grounds for defect-related returns, exchanges, or warranty claims.

About Agar Archive

Agar Archive is an open, interdisciplinary creative collective that extracts design cues from narratives across different fields and translates them into objects. Through everyday use, these objects invite individuals to reconstruct and develop meanings of their own.

Through poetic and generative approaches to form, Agar Archive seeks to liberate the relationship between people and objects into a broader realm of possibility, rediscovering the richness of the world through uncertainty.

With an open and fluid perspective, it reconsiders the relationships between object and self, self and world—embracing the vastness of the world through connections that are subtle, intuitive, and continuously unfolding.

若水La brume 大安門市(Daan Store)