BEAUTY: Glass--Andy Paiko

I am completely blown away by the blown glass work of Andy Paiko. His Bell Jars series and his Reliquaries series are both literally breathtaking. As a maximalist and collector, I have always loved the idea of bell jars and cloches to keep and preserve special objects. Displaying them in such a way elevates them, calling attention to what makes them unique and precious. And what could be more precious than the idea of a reliquary. The shapes, scale, and detail of these glass objects recalls ancient glass blowing techniques from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, where one can see very old examples of this type of glass art. But Paiko has an eye on the present as well, with a few designs that are angular, modernist. It is all stunning...

http://www.andypaikoglass.com/

Ornaments 2021

BEAUTY: Glass--Simone Crestani

Italian glass artist Simone Crestani creates stunning glass bonsai trees. He has a poetic Artist Statement about this series:

"While my hands were still becoming familiar with the art of glass working, my thoughts were already putting down roots and binding me to this material for ever. Solid bases, branches that grow and seek the light: the first projects were still only inside my head and already had the form of a bonsai. The bonsai is the symbol of my work; it is the art of giving form, with respect and full understanding of what I am taking care of. The bonsai is a concentration of life, it overcomes the barrier of size and expresses strength and energy; it is a work of art that is never finished, in which nature continues to develop and evolve. I shape the material, but the end result has an identity of its own. I help it to grow, and wait until it gives me an indication of the equilibrium that will allow it to express itself."

http://www.simonecrestani.com/

Ornaments 2018

Glass Cares = Glass Magic

For Glass Cares, the design initiative studio Off Portugal enlisted ten designers to create original glass pieces which will be shown in the the "Inspiring Portugal" design pavilion at the upcoming London Design Fair in September, 2017.

http://offportugal.com/

Ornaments 2016

BEAUTY: Glass--Sybille Peretti

Award-winning glass artist Sybille Peretti casts gorgeous, ghostly busts and figures of children interacting with animals... the white and clear glass add yet another dimension to these haunting works. And I am fascinated by the inexplicable bubbles rising from and floating around her figures.

Top to bottom: Thaw; The Squirrel; Parrot Girl; To Know A Hawk; White Hawk; White Hawk 2; White Hawk 3; Wunderkind; Coral Girl

http://sibylleperetti.com/