Glassblowing – Ella Varvio

Colour frenzy

Glowing hot neodymium purple glass in Nuutajärvi

This summer our PhotonArt project proceeded to the actual melting and blowing of coloured glasses. For this I had rented the Lasikomppania glass studio in Nuutajärvi and I was full of nervous excitement. Making glass is expensive and you’re never fully certain of the outcomes… Luckily all went very well!

Samples of PhotonArt -project’s coloured glasses for glassblowing

The colour recipes were designed by Tampere University Photonics Laboratory as part of PhotonArt -project that combines art and science. Our project leader Dr. Laeticia Petit is the professor of photonic glasses at Tampere University and her team researches glass as a tool to transport light. Photonic glasses have applications in optical fibers, lasers, optical amplifiers, multicolor displayers, just to cite a few.

In the PhotonArt project we have investigated colours of glass and glazes both from artists and scientists point of view. The project is supported by Finnish Cultural Trust Pirkanmaa Regional Funds.

Hectic work in Lasikomppania studio, glassblowers Samuli Parkkinen and Jenni Sorsa in action

All the colours turned out super nice and were suitable for glassblowing. The days at the studio were hectic and hard work as we produced new artworks. Many thanks to my gaffers and studio staff : Jenni Sorsa, Samuli Parkkinen and Alge Julija.

Some of the shapes are inspired by ancient Chinese vessels and vases. These new artworks are not yet ready as they need coldworking and engraving. I’m however, already very pleased with how they turned out.

The final results can be seen in Tampere at the end of this year. Stay tuned, still some months to go but lots to do!

Galleria Himmelblau, Tampere, Finland 9.12.2023-7.1.2024

Afterglow

Nemeton– glass art exhibition ended last week in Helsinki, time to take a deep breath before new challenges! Here’s a short video from the glass studio: making of Queen of Vipers -unique Graal glass piece. Glassblowers Kari Alakoski and Marja Hepo-aho are sculpting my design at their studio in Riihimäki. Video by Ammi Lahtinen/Galleria Mafka&Alakoski.

My most sincere thanks to all support for this exhibition project: many thanks to Galleria Mafka&Alakoski for the opportunity to have a solo exhibition in Helsinki, lots of thanks to glassblowers Marja and Kari, carpenters, suppliers, national railroads, parents for lending me the car… and for Arts Promotion Centre Finland for supporting the making of the glass artworks…

And many thanks for all who visited the exhibition! Hope to see you in other exhibitions and venues – for example on 7.5. I’ll be attending Designtori, Tampere with Rajataide -organization of Tampere based artists.

The namesake of the exhibition: Nemeton-vase. Photo: Ammi Lahtinen

When it was all on the level of sketches… Photo: Ammi Lahtinen

Long long hours also in the cold workshop…

And the Ready piece! Queen of Vipers. Photo Iiro Immonen

The making of the new glass artworks was supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland

Peep show in Nuutajärvi 28.5.-14.8.2016!

Oh dear, Nuutajärvi summer exhibition is just around the corner! This year the exhibition is titled Peep show! The artworks are shown in a box – where you need to peak in – and be surprised… The exhibition opens 28.5.2016 at 3pm in old factory building (Vanhan Hytin halli) and it will run until 14.8.2016. So proud to be among the artists at the famous glass village!

More info: www.nuutajärvi.fi

Lauantaina 28.5. aukeaa Nuutajärven Lasikylän kesänäyttely! Jänskättää olla mukana ja päräyttäviä töitä tuloillaan. Peep show – Toinen todellisuus näyttely rullaa 14.8.2016 asti, joten kesällä tervetuloa Lasikylälle tutustumaan.

Otherwise I’ve been hanging around much in Riihimäki. My new artworks have been made at Mafka&Alakoski glass studio, at the premises of old Riihimäki glass factory. If you are visiting the Finnish Glass Museum nearby (the new Accident exhibition is superb) be sure to visit also the glass studios in old factory milieu.

Muuten on tullut hengattua Riihimäellä. On niin hienoa, että uusia teoksia on puhallettu henkiin Mafka&Alakosken hytissä. Hyttikorttelin pajoihin kannattaa ehdottomasti mennä tutustumaan.

Here’s a close-up of one of the new pieces of this spring, more pics coming up!