Gestalten

Deep within the Bavarian forest, hidden under snow-covered trees, lies the peaceful valley of Zwiesel where the brave people of Kristallglasmanufaktur Theresienthal have been creating the utmost beautiful and fragile objects of glass since 1421. Time stood still until a young man came from Belgium to change, if not everything, something forever.

We asked the trail-blazing Belgian artist and designer Arne Quinze to create a series of unique glass objects exclusively for our Fragiles showcase and sales exhibition Design Miami from December 6 – 9, 2007. After some investigation, it soon became clear that Bavarian Kristallglasmanufaktur Theresienthal could be the ideal partner for bringing Quinze’s visions to life.

Watching two worlds collide is always amazing. Watching two worlds joining forces to create something unique is even better. So when top-notch designer, artist and jack of all trades Arne Quinze was about to start work with the glassblowers of Theresienthal, we definitely wanted to witness and document this event. The task for Arne was to create several objects exclusively for the Fragiles exhibition at Design Miami curated by Die Gestalten Verlag. The task for Theresienthal’s artisans was to catch up with the zeitgeist while still being well grounded.

Named after Queen Therese of Bavaria, the wife of Ludwig I, Theresienthal’s origins date back from the Middle Ages when glassmakers started settling for places of permanent production. Quinze, the zeitgeist of outstanding creativity matched with the excellent craftsmanship of Theresienthal resulted in a breathtaking collection of glass vases. The 'Fluid' collection can be seen for the first time and acquired at Fragiles in Miami as well as his collection of “PORCELAIN� vases.

Recalling all the stories of clashes of culture where one party doesn't understand the other and it's all about ego, anything could have happened. What happened instead is that after getting over the limitations of language (translation from Bavarian to German to English and back again), it turned out to be the perfect relationship.

Arne Quinze for Fragiles in collaboration with Theresienthal is a true example of what can be achieved when the time-honored majesty of crafts fuses with today’s top-notch design – a magnificent body of glasswork in its own right.