Reproductions don't always have to be fakes

What struck me most was the creativity I could sense in the air; that lowfrequency energy that is indefinable but palpable - the complete and relaxed sense of creating for cre¬ation's sake, and for livelihood.

From the mossy rocks of the mountain trails to the local crafts¬men, I quickly drew comparisons between Chiang Mai and Kyoto. Both share the honour of being the cultural home of their respective countries and both share a pride that is justly deserved.

However, while quietly strolling the long monastic hallways of the Chedi Hotel, I realised that a com¬mon thread running between the cities was the presence of perfectly executed reproduction. This isn't the careless reproduction of a designer sofa wanting to be recognised as authentic, but perfectly executed reproduction taking the original and injecting new life into it.

I don't condone the blatant copy¬ing or theft of a designer's original vision. However, in a cultural con¬text, a reproduction is sometimes better than the original. It becomes hyperreality. It's the synthesis of viewing yourself from the outside and serving your product or your culture on a silver tray.

The Chedi hotel is no more Thai than the Tawaraya ryokan in Kyoto is Japanese. Both are perfect, but hardly orthodox. But I don't believe most people paying premium prices actually want orthodox or reality anyway. What they do want is an experience tailormade and designed for them. The Chedi is a mix of sev¬eral Asian cultures woven together to form a feeling of Thailand with Thai hospitality layered on top, so you walk away thinking, "Wow … that was the greatest Thai experience."

The same is true at the Tawaraya. While there are not so many Asian cultures woven into the tapestry of life at this ryokan, it is definitely Japan as seen through the eyes of an outsider who wishes to view Japan from their memory bank of imagery. While it is not a fake, it is a repro¬duction. The flowers are just a little too grand and the futons just a little too thick.

After all, isn't it the job of every designer to create experiences that take the mundane realities of life and elevate them to daily rituals.