The long tradition of the Czechoslovaca stained glass industry promoted in 1982 the birth of the International Glass Symposium in order to gather professionals and designers from around the world to make their ideas under the tutelage of renowned teachers of the Glass Region of Nový Bor;An unusual appointment in communist Czechoslovakia isolated from Western influences.Since then, artists gather every three years in the renowned stained glass windows of Bohemia del Norte, whose artistic products have amazed the world and adorn important buildings along the globe.
To date, the triennal has welcomed more than 500 artists, gallery owners, commissioners and experts.It is a unique event, since it jointly exhibits works made by both world -class artists and artistic school students.In addition, all pieces are made in very short times.
Under the slogan "glass without borders", the organizers dared to organize the current international meeting despite the uncertain pandemic situation and invited more than 50 artists and designers to share their experiences.One of the guests was the Argentine artist Silvia Levenson, settled since 1981 in Milan, whose work focuses on glass fusion techniques with everyday objects and whose works transmit different messages to society.The artist addressed Skalice's crystal for her reputation to be number one in glass elaboration, explains.
“The technique that I am doing here is the photographic transfer applied to the glass.It is a very old, but also very innovative technique.I apply a photographic motion, using a technique called gum impression.I wanted to present these three cups that say I feel strange.The photographs that I present are mine, we can see wrinkles and the passage of time ”.
Silvia Levenson appreciates her stay in the Czech Republic, whose stained glass tradition she considers incredible, in addition to admiring the local teachers of this field.
"When thinking about the Czech Republic, I think of Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová and the spectacular sculptures they have done".
"In the Mzees there is very good taste for size"
Gala Fernández, a native of Madrid, is also a designer also established in Italy.For your designs use ceramics, wood and, especially, glass.To the Czech Republic was directed by the peculiar form of glass production that takes place in this country, explains.
“I am interested because it seems to me a very lively and a little different reality from the one I lived in Murano, which is where I usually work.This Bohemia reality is very different for me.Although the elaboration today does not differ so much from one place to another, it is very interesting because it is very active.I really like how they carve the glass.Free blow and mold blunder are equal, but here they carve very well and there is a very good taste for size ”.
The International Glass Symposium offered a rich program for the lay public that had the opportunity to visit more than forty jewelry, glassmaker, museums and galleries along Bohemia del Norte, which make up the town known as the Valle de Cristal, where more than three centuries ago the famous Bohemia glass was born.
The event concluded with the inauguration of the exhibition of works prepared by the artists during the symposium.The exhibition in the Nový Bor Museum will remain open for the public until January 30, 2022.
