Glass Is Red

By Jessica Ritz

Whether used purely decoratively or for function, glass has endless potential. The following works serve as reminders of how this material continues to fascinate artists, designers, and makers in spite of—or perhaps because of—its rigorously demanding techniques. These functional objects, mostly designed and fabricated by emerging designers, challenge and elevate glassmaking traditions. Here are the top picks you may want to consider incorporating into your next project.

Agmes's bud vase is available in rose, green, blue, and yellow colorways, as well as a clear option.

The works are handblown from soda lime glass.

Agmes Anniversary collection by Bianco Light & Space

To mark jewelry brand Agmes's sixth anniversary, founders (and sisters) Morgan and Jaclyn Solomon are expanding the brand portfolio with accessories created in collaboration with Anthony Bianco of Bianco Light & Space. The Los Angeles–based glass artist, designer, and fabricator worked with the Solomons to craft an organically shaped handblown bud vase and textured small dish available in multiple colors, as well as personal accessories that revisit a glass jewelry collection from 2018.

The charitable PhilaTerra collection features only 100 glass works.

PhilaTerra collection by Colony and Deborah Czeresko

Colony, the New York City–based cooperative design gallery, creative firm, and studio, presents a line that looks good and does good too. For the PhilaTerra collection, artist (and Netflix Blown Away winner) Deborah Czeresko produced a limited edition of 100 glass vases—some colorless, others in bright hues—designed by Colony founder Jean Lin. Proceeds support the Environmental Defense Fund and the Rainforest Foundation US.

The cocktail mixer and tumblers are available now in emerald and amber colors.

Cedric Mitchell for Heath Ceramics

Heath Ceramics continues to embrace an experimental and highly collaborative spirit in media beyond clay. The Bay Area brand tapped Oklahoma-raised and Los Angeles–based glassblower Cedric Mitchell for a new collection that comprises a series of elegant bottles and vases with restrained Memphis vibes, plus jewel-toned cocktail stirring glasses and tumblers that are the perfect excuse to host a warm-weather gathering. Mitchell is also an accomplished glassblowing instructor and a team member of nonprofit organization Crafting the Future, which provides funds for young talent to enroll in hands-on experiences at leading craft schools and institutions in an effort to diversify the field.

The L’Aurore vase by Sophie Lou Jacobsen.

The Asking for a Friend collection's La Chaleur vase.

Asking for a Friend collection by Sophie Lou Jacobsen at Assembly Line

This past week sustainably-minded glassware designer Sophie Lou Jacobsen introduced new vases at design firm General Assembly's Assembly Line storefront in Brooklyn. The Asking for a Friend collection, which will remain on view through July 1, features Jacobsen's groovy silhouetted works produced at Keep Brooklyn's studio.

The "Vetro Alga" exhibition is on display at Galerie Bargo's residential gallery space in downtown Manhattan during New York Design Week.

"Vetro Alga" by Dana Arbib and Tiwa Select

During New York Design Week, Alex Tieghi-Walker's L.A.–based gallery and creative platform Tiwa Select curated "Vetro Alga," an exhibition by multidisciplinary designer Dana Arbib at Galerie Michael Bargo. Arbib uses the precious material as a vehicle to explore her Libyan heritage, while working with glass artisans to tap into Venice's rich history of glassblowing and distinct multicultural intersections. ("Vetro Alga" means "seaweed glass" in Italian.) Salvatore Arbib, a distant relative who operated a thriving glassblowing practice during the early 20th century in Venice, provided another inspiration for the textured vessels and bowls produced in Murano.

Made of silicone and glass, the Line vase is one of 30 works shortlisted for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize.

Annika Jarring for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize

Swedish artist Annika Jarring's Line vase demonstrates how vastly different objects, methods, and materials can translate to glass artistry. Using her own innovative technique, Jarring shapes 392 small glass elements of silicone and glass into a vessel that feels almost architectural in spirit. Inspired by the assembly of ornamental jade pieces that compose the burial suits made for royals during the Han dynasty, the sculptural piece is currently shortlisted for this year's Loewe Foundation Craft Prize. Following the announcement of the Prize winner in late June, Line will be on exhibit at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art alongside the works of the other 29 Prize finalists.