Q&A SERIES II / ON ZA LINE
For our second edition of the Chariots on Fire Q&A series, we introduce you to Ai and Kiyomi, the designers behind ON ZA LINE. Their ceramic jewelry is made entirely by hand and only in limited, numbered, editions. Their first collection "She needs a treasure", continues to inspire us; we adore their magical and playful
aesthetic that translates into powerful, memorable and wearable pieces.
ON ZA LINE is run by Kiyomi and me (Ai). Kiyomi learnt ceramics at university and she is mainly taking
care of making ceramics. So, these answers are mixing mine and Kiyomi’s.
Chariots on Fire: Porcelain is the main medium of your work, what attracts you to this material?
Kiyomi: Beauty of the porcelain itself. And also I can form directly by hand without tools. That fits me.
Chariots on Fire: What time periods have influenced your work?
On Za Line: Kiyomi and me are totally not nostalgic types.
Chariots on Fire: Is there a reason why you create your work in editions?
On Za Line: Yes, there is. We are making the molds by using an original model. For each piece made,
the mold is worn down by each new casting. So we can make only 30-50 pieces from one mold. And
we love to work for new ideas more than copying a mold and keep making the same stuff.
Chariots on Fire: How do you start your day?
Kiyomi: Spend 30mins doing nothing.
Ai: Start making some coffee.
Chariots on Fire: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Kiyomi: Could be cooking. That sounds good.
Chariots on Fire: 1 thing you can't live without?
Ai: If I don’t have any inspiration, I don’t know how to live...
Chariots on Fire: Diamonds or rubies?
Ai: Both! But don’t need so much.
Chariots on Fire: Do you consider yourself a collector? If so, what do you collect and why?
Ai: We both are also not a kind of the people who collect something. Even I long for collector sometimes.
Chariots on Fire: Is there a piece of jewelry you wear everyday or that is very special to you? If so,
tell us about it.
Kiyomi: Usually I don’t wear any jewelry. But “Necklace Queen” is still very special for me. Because
the necklace was exactly the first piece, we made it together as ON ZA LINE.
Chariots on Fire: If you could have access to any materials in the world to create a piece or a
new collection what would those be?
Kiyomi: I don’t know any more fascinating material than porcelain.
Chariots on Fire: You live in Tokyo, what are some of your favorite "secret places"?
Ai: I haven’t been yet, but there is secret place in Nakameguro. It is bookshop only open on Saturday
on a rooftop... secretly...I will tell you exactly where it is, when you visit to Tokyo next time.
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