Steam Stream: Our Journey with Paper and Water
In May 2026, Kozo Studio was proud to participate in Steam Stream, an exhibition initiated by designer Benjarat Aiemrat and co-curated by Pearamon Tulavardhana at MMAD Gallery (MunMun Srinakarin).
As mulberry paper makers, our entire craft relies on water. Water breaks down, washes, suspends, and binds organic fibers into sheets of paper. Joining Steam Stream gave us a natural opportunity to explore this connection alongside a diverse group of creators, including farmers, carpenters, sound collectors, and artists.
Benjarat Aiemrat (left) and Phantipa Thanchookiet (right) in front of the custom-designed wood cabinet displaying artifacts from the Steam Stream exhibition.
Making Fiber Flow: Our Work in the Exhibition
Steam Stream is a collaborative exhibition that explores the profound cultural, ecological, and emotional relationships between water and rice. Staged within an ambient, domestic-inspired, the showcase brings together diverse creators—ranging from papermakers and carpenters to farmers and sound collectors—to translate these vital elements into tactile experiences through handmade paper vessels, earthen sato fermentation jars, ambient droplet soundscapes, and personal water-memory drawings. Ultimately, the exhibition looks beyond physical sustenance to present water and rice as fluid conduits that weave together regional heritage, language, everyday rituals, and individual memory.
For our contribution, we collaborated with craftsman Phantipa Thanchookiet of Likaybindery to supply handmade mulberry paper.
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Paper Transformed into Vessels: Our papers was folded and shaped into delicate vessel forms, showing how raw fibers born from water and plants can take on structure and function.
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Workshop: Our paper played a hands-on role in Steam Stream during its 4th Gathering workshop. Using a blend of paper, paper pulp, rice, and water, participants carefully picked, drew, and scattered fibers to create custom paper sheets.
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Souvenier: Our mulberry paper was used to craft miniature paper models, adding a distinct tactile warmth and artisanal finish that made each keepsake special.
A Shared Creative Process
Benjarat approached this project as an initiating spark rather than a solo artist, bringing together different fields to share ideas like vapor condensing into fresh streams of thought.
Seeing our handmade paper placed alongside earthen sato jars (traditional Thai spririt), Mekong water purifiers, timber woodwork, and ambient water soundscapes reminded us of what paper truly represents: a direct bridge between natural elements, traditional handcraft, and modern design.
We are grateful to Benjarat Aiemrat, Phantipa Thanchookiet, Pearamon Tulavardhana, and all the participating co-creators for including us in Steam Stream. We look forward to continuing our work with natural fibers and papermaking in future collaborations.
Steam Stream was held at MMAD Gallery (Room 4, 2nd Floor, MunMun Srinakarin, Seacon Square) from 7 May to 21 June 2026. All photos are credited to Peerapat Wimolrungkarat | @addcandid
