UNIT 89'S CERAMIC INSTALLATION BRINGS A TRANQUIL DIALOGUE BETWEEN SEA AND SPACE TO ASANI’S MASTER SUITE.
Stepping aboard ASANI, you’re instantly transported to a realm of serenity, where every detail reflects the soothing essence of nature and the ocean. This includes ASANI’s carefully curated art collection, which celebrates the work of both renowned artists and rising stars. Among these treasures is a breathtaking ceramic installation by Ula Saniawa of Unit 89. Located in the master suite, delicate porcelain elements ripple across the headboard in a layered, intricate swirl.
From the moment ASANI’s owner first encountered Ula’s wave-based installation Trace Elements, they knew they wanted to commission a similar piece. Ula’s creations are entirely handmade in unglazed porcelain, comprising seemingly identical yet uniquely shaped elements that come together in a mesmerising formulaic composition. The owner was particularly captivated by her petal-like elements, which exude delicacy and tranquility. “They wanted to create a feeling of serenity as well as inspiration in the master suite, and I think the calm movement and dynamic flow of my work resonated with that vision,” reflects Ula.
Drawing on her background as an architect, Ula’s deep understanding of spatial dynamics allowed her to refine a concept that would become a harmonious extension of the master suite. After numerous conversations with ASANI’s owner and Bergman Design House, the initial design evolved from a central, dense arrangement into something more expansive and sprawling.
The creation of ASANI’s installation was a painstaking process spanning several months. Each porcelain element was crafted individually using an intricate hand-forming technique, with Ula giving careful attention to how the overall composition took shape. “It’s a continuous evaluation of each element’s shape, placement, and rotation to ensure they interact with one another as I envisioned and evoke the desired feeling,” she explains. “If we’re not mindful of those subtle interactions, the piece might not feel coherent.”
Despite the intense demands of her craft, Ula thrives on its tactile nature and finds immense reward in the journey to the finished piece. When the work was finally installed onboard, Ula could fully appreciate its impact within the space. “It really feels like a natural extension of the outside environment, creating a conversation between the sea and the piece itself,” she says. “The dynamic journey of the delicate elements across the headboard creates a serene and tranquil environment while also drawing the eye to points of interest within the installation and around the interior.”
Naming the piece, Ula reflected on its energy and presence, seeking a poem to capture its essence – a tradition she follows for installations that are particularly special to her. Ula found the perfect match in the poem Waves by Louise Townsend Nicholl. The first line of the poem – “One by one upon my shore” – was chosen as the name, encapsulating the rhythmic, organic flow of the piece.
Ula’s One by one upon my shore represents nature’s organic journey, emulating the movement and flow of the sea and sand and infusing the master suite with serenity. And its influence onboard extends beyond the suite, serving as an embodiment of ASANI’s spirit and inspiring many of the yacht’s finishing touches, including its logo and branding. Throughout the yacht, guests will discover echoes of its presence – a gentle reminder of nature’s beauty and the art it inspires.
WAVES
By Louise Townsend Nicholl
One by one upon my shore
The little waves are laid,
Each one a new and perfect thing
Which the sea has made.
From that which is forever old
They come, forever young,
The latest, faintest echoes
Of the song the sea has sung.
They echo it in whispers.
I listen ceaselessly,
For fear the echoes die away
And I should hear the sea.
