The Ajeto glassworks, the podium on which the glass is blown.
The Ajeto glassworks
In 1982, when Czechoslovakia
was still so-called and veiled behind the Iron Curtain; exiled architect/designer
Borek Sípek returned with partial amnesty to enter the alchemistic
realm of Bohemian glass creation.
With little knowledge of the medium he joined forces with the young and as
yet unknown prodigious talented glass blower Petr Novotnà, who has since become
a world famous master of his trade. Having been invited to work in Japan,
Germany, France, USA and William Morris USA. Closely observed by secret police
agents, they entered a politically innocent collaboration, producing an astounding
collection of objects, rediscovering long-lost artists in the field of Bohemian
glass production.
Petr Novotny, master glassblower and one of the owners of the Ajeto glassworks.
In 1989 as the political
climate grew milder, they grasped the opportunity to build their own factory
and firm, Ajeto, engaging the best technicians to complete their excellent
team.
Libor Fafala for example, is the guardian of the secret chemical
recipes which afford the glittering crystal for which Bohemian glass has been
renowned for hundreds of years. We can divulge that the material contains
little or no lead and depends mainly on the chemical balance between calcium
and potash.
Ajeto's employees.
The
Ajeto glassworks in Lindava, Czech Republic.
At this
moment Novotny
and Fafala are assisted by 20 young and talented associates - all up and coming
masters in their own particular specialities in the field of glass creation
-
all of whom have invested their talent in Ajeto in order to accept the technical
challenges put to them by Sípek who fulfils the role of artistic director
of the firm.
The whole team is bent upon producing handmade pieces in which they tart technical
impossibilities, pushing their knowledge and craftsmanship to the utmost producing
limited series for museums and private collectors.
Some of the completed projects to which this young firm - in collaboration
with S’pek - has already added it's name are:
Follies for Driade, Italy. Steltman Galleries, Holland and USA. Alterego collection,
Holland. Maletti, Italy. Karl Lagerfeld shop, Paris. Lighting for Prague Castle,
Czech Republic.
Copyright © 2002 Scaralux and Espaces & Lignes
