LASVIT EMOTIONS: Jan Plecháč & Henry Wielgus

Last week saw the return of one of the design events of the year Fuori Salone in Milan, and once again Lasvit (newly appointed BCFA Member) returned with an extraordinary installation filled with special glass art pieces designed by some of the worlds famous designers and artists.

This years installation was called LASVIT <E>MOTIONS which wonderfully combines new collaboration with famous architect Daniel Libeskind or Dutch design star Maarten Baas and earlier collaboration represented by great creators Michael Young, Arik Levy or Jan Plecháč and Henry Wielgus. For the first time the company also launches work of their art director and renowned Czech designer Maxim Velčovský.

LASVIT <E>MOTIONS reflect the contemporary creativity proposed by Lasvit and fully illustrate the company´s mission: to transform glass into breathtaking light and design experiences. The nine unique lighting installations, each have a story that triggers a specific emotion, either by movement, light or static beauty.

Design Insider over the next will go into detail of each the designs that were shown at the show giving you an insight into the designers and ideas behind each wonderful piece. This Design focus is on Moulds by Jan Plecháč & Henry Wielgus

Moulds is a collection of suspended lights, showcasing Czech crystal at its most resilient and lively form. The series captures a specific moment when molten glass resists its expected shape and freely escapes from the mould as a random, amorphous bubble. The energizing this series arises from the contrast of used materials, using the traditional craft techniques of blowing crystal glass into a beech form.

“The idea came when we came across a warehouse filled with old wooden moulds that Lasvit had in their archive. We were absolutely fascinated by the thought that something as delicate and pure in terms of form could be born out of something as raw and elementally primitive as charred glassmakers’ forms,” Jan Plecháč explained. Henry Wielgus added, “We successfully attempted to create a light that blends the elegance of crystal with the rustic beauty of wooden forms, pounded together with iron cramps. Our design takes its strength from the rougher side of the traditional glass craft that stands behind its production.”

The Moulds collection brings powerful emotions into an interior. The composition of varied ‘overblown’ shapes creates a particularly striking visual effect. Integrated LED light sources were set directly within the charred form, creating an impression that the heat and energy of the glassmaker’s kiln remained inside, in historic reference to the art of Czech glassmakers…

 

Jan Plecháč & Henry Wielgus

Jan Plechac (born 1984) and Henry Wielgus (born 1982) met during their studies at AAAD (The Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague) where they first collaborated. After Jan Plechac exhibited his thesis work at Salone Sattellite 2011, he gained much attention from gallery owners and well-known manufacturers. In 2012 Jan Plechac and Henry Wielgus founded studio Jan Plechac & Henry Wielgus.