Our journey to presenting
you these remarkable finished pieces has taken a year in the
making, from the initial invitation to artists whom we either
already knew or had admired from a far, to the precious pieces
arriving cocooned in their wooden caskets from Murano. Vessel
has found this project exhilarating and we feel both proud and
honoured to have played a part in this new chapter of Italian
glass making history.
Firstly we are hugely indebted to the knowledge & expertise
of English glass maestro Simon Moore whom, as project manager,
has developed and nurtured the project in such a capable way.
His twenty five year experience in designing and making glass,
as well as having been former creative director of both Salviati
and Dartington Crystal, stood him in excellent stead for all
the exciting challenges that this project would present.
From rainy but bright days in London, using
the renowned facilities kindly donated by the Royal College of
Art, and in the shadow of a gleaming Prince Albert Memorial,
the initial sparks of ideas were carefully nurtured by Simon
and the artists, for them this was a time of great discovery
and familiarisation as none had any previous art glass experience.
To allow the artists the utmost freedom, and purposefully draw
on their varied backgrounds, they were given a completely open
brief.
With the coming of Spring, several visits
were then made by each artist to the Murano furnaces of Salviati,
where the artists finally met and worked alongside some of the
greatest glass blowers in the world. The maestri in turn did
their most to learn about the new designs proposed, and interpreted
the initial sketches with their usual flair and vigour. This
was definitely a meeting of minds rather than a leader and executor,
and some new techniques and tools had to be devised. It seems
as the temperatures rose towards the height of summer, so did
the creativity and effort of all those involved.
This project could not have happened without
the input, expertise, energy, ideas and generosity of several
people and institutions. Foremostly all the artists have given
so freely of their time and ideas for no reward other than an
appreciation of the medium.
We would like to pay tribute to all the Salviati
team, from the blowers in the hot shop, via the workers in the
cold working shop, to the administrative side of the company
itself who have shown such passion and strength in going the
extra mile for this project. No one person is more important
than the other, glass making is all about team work and passion
for the most incredible of all materials.
Avery special thank you to Salviati, Dario
Stellon (Manager of the Salviati Factory) and Simon Moore (Project
manager).
Nadia & Angel
A message from Simon Moore, Project Manager:
As project manager one of the things
that became so wonderfully apparent is how different designers
are to makers. I, being both a maker and designer, have realised
neither can live without the other, but it was very interesting
watching the designers trying to both challenge and understand
the physical limitations of blown glass.
Bravo to the glass maestri for attempting such difficult feats.
Bravo to Vessel for being brave enough to take on such a project. |
