Olgoj Chorchoj: The Restless Bowl

(jiří macek) The Cuba bowl, designed by Olgoj Chorchoj for the Křehký limited edition, has undergone a very dramatic development. The architectural structure, characterized by optical qualities, explored the technological limits of cut-glass manufacturing and almost fell prey to them.

The bowl is directly inspired by the Art Deco ashtrays made in the Moser factory from the 1930s. Its name refers both to the cubist tradition of Czech design and to the thick Havana cigars that rested beautifully in those elegant ashtrays. The name is also a materialized meaning of the Spanish word “cuba”, i.e. a barrel, a vat, a tub, a beaker, a trough, and a chamber. The bowl is very big indeed and regal – presented in a complicated formation, cut with phantasmal colors. With regards to these elements, it was clear from the very start that only the Moser factory – the jewel box of Czech glass – would be able to produce it for the Křehký project.

“Several, mostly organic, designs were made for this collection. However, all those who participated in the designing process, such as Tereza Froňková and Ondřej Kopečný from our studio, looked at the rounded form with disdain and directed our efforts towards traditional crystalline shapes and flat cuts,” describes Michal Froněk from the Olgoj Chorchoj studio regarding the initial phase of the project. “The path from the clear formulation to the final form was extremely short. David Kazický made prototypes from cardboard; Daniel González rendered the form and made designs for the metal mould. Although everything looked very promising, samples in the Moser factory did not turn out very successful at first. Complicated non-rotating glass that was too big grew cold very quickly. It was not possible to “stuff” it into all the folds of the mould that should have defined the basic form. The second samples were more promising - the reduced shape was easier to impress in the new and more exact metal mould – thus, it was better prepared for the final cut and polish. This masterstroke was carried out by artist Lukáš Jabůrek,” explains Michal Froněk while modestly overshadowing his and Jan Němeček’s crucial role in the entire process.

The Cuba bowl represents the sixth item on the Křehký limited edition list. The exhibition entitled Křehký: The Micro-World of Joy, which includes the Cuba bowl, takes place at the Windows Gallery and the Česká spořitelna gallery on Rytířská street in Prague from September 23. The bowl will also be presented at the Czech Selection installation at 100% Design London.

www.krehky.cz

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