Echoes from Finnish glass design heritage – developing burnt wooden molds for glassblowing of sculptural glass vases

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master_Mutanen_Ilkka_2023.pdf (48.42 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2023

Department

muo

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Master’s Programme in Contemporary Design

Language

en

Pages

107

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Abstract

Main objective of this study is to develop an alternative, experimental technique of manufacturing wooden glassblowing molds formed by burning. The objective arises from the need to physically embody the artistic vision of manufacturing glass artefacts with desired qualities. An important perspective in the artistic concept is harnessing the destructive forces of burning for my personal artistic intentions. Therefore, an essential requirement is the ability to manipulate the mold making process to certain extent, and thus achieving a level of predictability in the resulting form of the mold cavity and glass artefacts. The burnt wooden mold technique, introduced originally by Timo Sarpaneva in the 1960s, is a common technique in contemporary glass design used to create ice-like glass textures. Based on benchmarking, design projects utilizing the technique are exploiting burning only superficially for creating surface details replicated in glass. In the suggested concept the approach is more holistic, because wooden logs are burnt inside to form a hollow mold for glassblowing and burning is the primary method of formgiving. The experimental research process is highly artistic and organized using the methods of applied design research and experimental design. Development of the technique is carried out through a series of mold making and glassblowing experiments. A series of glass artefacts is blown, with an emphasis on firstly confirming the functionality and feasibility of the speculative concept and secondly understanding and controlling the process. Knowledge of the practice is gained both by reflecting the process of mold making and interpreting the final artefacts. By constantly acquiring new knowledge about the process, iterations are made to develop the concept towards desired aesthetics, form and replication of details. Essential discussion point for the artistic reflection is the balancing between designer-led intentionality and randomness caused by burning. Based on the research, a novel experimental technique for manufacturing burnt wooden glassblowing molds is introduced. Another important finding is that depending on the wetting or non-wetting of the mold, very different textures in glassblowing can be produced. The resulting series of artefacts showcases the different aesthetics that can be achieved with the manufacturing method. Sculptural glass vases replicating the organically generated forms, textures and topographies are echoing narratives very familiar to Finnish glass design.

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Supervisor

Puintila, Simo

Thesis advisor

Taiviola, Kirsti

Keywords

glass design, glassblowing, mold design, applied design research, practice-led design research, practice-based design research, experimental design

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202309035464

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS