Craftsmanship and new technologies
Young designer were tasked with creating jewelry for the home, using glass elements produced at the glassworks factory. Under the watchful eye of Anna Orska, Art Professor at Koszalin University of Technology, master glassmakers from the Julia factory, and School of Form lecturers, students undertook a challenge of working with new materials, using new techniques. They created unique objects, showcasing new applications of cut glass, which also reflected the stories of objects that surround people in their homes.
I believe that modern technology can support hundred-years old craft technologies. Technology does not have to be a threat, it could be an opportunity. Together with students of School of Form we wanted to show that combining many years of experience with new capabilities, seemingly from a different world, may open doors that no one has yet dreamed about opening.
Anna Orska, Ph.D. / Associate Professor at Koszalin University of Technology
jewelry designer, owner of the ORSKA jewelry brand
See how students of School of Form worked with Anna Orska and Sara Boś on the "Jewelry for the home" project:
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Photo: Nikodem Szymański
Glass menagerie
Highlighting the unique characteristics of crystal glass, such as facets that reflect light, was the main goal of the project. During their visit at the Julia Crystal Glassworks, students followed the whole process of glass making, from the pattern design, through glass melting and blowing, to hand cutting and grinding. While working on their designs, they were tasked with combining traditional handcrafting methods with modern technology.
Using ready-made factory molds, each design team created their own etchings to make their glass components, which were later combined with metal casings. Metal elements were created using the KUKA robot – the pride and joy of the Robotics Studio at School of Form. Students worked on combining the glass and metal elements of their designs under the supervision of Sara Boś, Head of the Robotics studio.