Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Class Trip to Kosta with Erika Lagerbielke

This week our instuctor is Orrefors designer Erika Lagerbielke.  She has been designing for Orrefors since 1982, and today she is taking us on a private tour of Kosta Glassworks.

In 1989, the companies Kosta Boda and Orrefors merged to form Orrefors Kosta Boda AB (as well, the Åfors glassworks is part of the company).  So although Erika designs exclusively for Orrefors, some of her designs are produced at the Kosta factory.

First we visited the glassblowing factory.

Erika`s `Intemezzo` champagne flutes being producted.  This was the coolest colouring technique i`ve ever seen!

 Erika discussing her design, which was also being produced at Kosta.
Duck head being made for an Ernst Billgren tumbler
Then it was off to the storage/packing area...
Erika explaining torch cutting
 Scoring the glass before torching

Hand polishing the lip

Coldshop

plethora of belts


Then we made our way over to Kosta glass school, where we were given a short glass lesson and then had a few hours to blow glass for ourselves...
Lap wheel sculpture in the court

Erika and a Kosta glass instructor
Hotshop
Coldshop
After lunch, we visited the museum and gallery...
Åsa Jungnelius
Åsa Jungnelius
Ludvig Löfgren
Ernst Billgren
Ernst Billgren
 Göran Wärff
 Göran Wärff

In the summer of 2009 the Kosta Boda Art Hotel opened, and was filled with art glass from Kosta designers.  In addition to decor and art tiles, there are also cast hand basins, as well, the large art glass pool is a sight to be seen.
Waiting in the hotel lobby
The outdoor pool. Check out the `floating` stepping stones!
Indoor art glass pool.  The underwater windows display glass sea sculptures. Amazing
Large glass nail polish bottles, lining the walkway to the spa.
Lounging by the spa. This is the life :P





1 comment:

  1. kosta is cool beans. whats the most amazing coloring tech you ever saw? elaborate on that sometime. :)

    ReplyDelete