Nicolas Cheng and Michael Leung of Studio Leung have created Printable Offerings, a collection of images of everyday items such as iPhones, Bic biros and Tempo pocket tissues that can be downloaded, printed and assembled into 3D models for use at Chinese festivals.
It is a Chinese tradition to burn replicas of useful items as gifts for the dead at festivals such as Qingming - which takes place on 5 April this year - and the Hungry Ghost festival in August.
Printable Offerings - 印祭品 in Chinese - are more environmentally friendly versions of the offerings traditionally bought in Chinese shops and supermarkets, since these are often printed on metallic or plastic material.
Printable Offerings come with instructions to "print on recycled paper, assemble with solvent-free glue and burn responsibly".
Studio Leung tell us: "A selection of gifts are ready to be downloaded as PDF files, assembled and offered to loved ones who have passed away. The selection ranges from the aspirational iPhone to quintessentially Hong Kong objects such as Tempo pocket tissues and the Octopus travel card."
"We have developed the first collection of gifts for the Qingming Festival next month, and will be doing a second collection for the Hungry Ghost Festival in August."
Here's some more info from Studio Leung:
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It is customary within the Chinese community to burn paper gifts for family and friends who have passed away.
These gifts are made of paper and come in many product types. They are can be purchased in selected Chinese shops and supermarkets worldwide.
Printable Offerings aims to preserve this Chinese tradition and re-interprets it for modern life and lifestyles.
The Chinese tradition of burning paper gifts for family and friends, who have passed away, began in 739 A.D., during the Tang Dynasty.
The traditional belief is that when a person dies, their spirit will still need the things that they used when they were still alive. It is believed that if the spirit not content in the after-life, he or she will not bring good fortune to the living.
In response to this Chinese tradition and today's widespread access to the Internet, we have created a range objects to be printed, assembled and offered to loved ones.
Printable Offerings can be printed on conventional A4 home printers. It is a friendly contrast to existing paper offerings, which are often not made from paper, but metallic card and even plastics.
With Printable Offerings the production process has shifted from a mass manufacturing and consumer cycle, to one which is virtual and instantly accessible by people. It also providesan intimate and personal approach to choosing a gift.
Collection 1 has been designed in time for the Qingming Festival (April 5th) - a festival which encourages people to enjoy the Spring season and visit the graves of departed ones. The collection focuses on everyday objects that play a huge role in Chinese culture, such as the Octopus travel card and Bic biro.