MATERIAL
Glass: light, transparent, never the same twice
The only material that lets light through instead of blocking it. A glass sculpture changes with the sun throughout the day - different in the morning than in the afternoon, and different again in the evening under artificial light.
A glass sculpture is shaped from molten or cast glass, after which it is cooled slowly. Colour, transparency and surface texture are determined during shaping.
What glass says
Glass radiates clarity and precision, with a lightness no other material has. For entrances with daylight, display cases and interiors with plenty of light, it is often the most surprising material, precisely because the piece is never the same twice.
It is also a material with a celebratory connotation without a gift-like feel, which makes it suitable for milestones that should radiate something light and optimistic.
How we make it
Glass is shaped at high temperature and then cooled slowly - that cooling phase is essential and cannot be rushed: cooling too fast means stress in the material and eventually breakage.
Colour is added during melting; surface texture arises through the shape or through later grinding and polishing. For important colour choices, we make a test piece, because glass colours differently in thickness than in thin form.
Where it fits
Indoors, and preferably in a spot with daylight, that is where the material does its work. On a display stand, a plinth by a window or in an atrium with overhead light. Outdoors, glass is fragile and not recommended. Size limits are set by the kiln and the weight: glass is heavier than it looks.
Ageing and maintenance
Glass does not age: it does not discolour, does not rust and does not change structure. Maintenance means cleaning with a glass cleaner or a damp cloth. The material is fragile and sensitive to scratches, so placement in a stable spot away from walkways is part of the advice.
Lead time and price
The cooling phase accounts for a large part of the lead time and cannot be shortened. In price, size, colour complexity and the grinding and polishing work are decisive.
A sculpture in glass?
Tell us about the location and the light, that matters a great deal with glass.