Seeing the world through glass
- Vlastimil creates minimalist glass sculptures
- He uses the mould melting technique
- He is from a renowned family of glassmakers
Vlastimil Beránek comes from a well known family of glassmakers which has been connected to the Škrdlovice Glassworks in the Bohemian-Moravian highlands since 1941. When the Communist regime expropriated the glassworks, the Beránek family became employees there. In 1992 the glassworks returned to the family and Vlastimil Beránek became the owner. The production of handmade, colourful bowls, vases and ashtrays continued for the next 16 years, when the glassworks closed. By that time Vlastimil Beránek had become highly skilled in mould melting, and today he develops this technique in cooperation with the Crystal Caviar company.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
The very first sculpture I designed used mould melting technology, despite the fact that due to my family background it would have been more natural to work with hot shaped glass. At that time, I was a student in the glass department under Professor Libenský at AAAD in Prague.
We gained invaluable experience in mould melting. Every time I remember Professor Libenský, I feel happy. We loved him because he was a free-spirited person and that was contagious. He showed us how to see the world with different eyes.
Most of my inspirations come from the sea. The deep ocean is covered with secrets, and it's also in constant movement, something I try to express in my pieces. Another element that fascinates me is fire. When you light a match and then extinguish it, a bit of smoke lingers – a magic moment.
Crystal Caviar has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for melted glass sculptures. It is hugely satisfying when you manage to melt a sculpture that's 2m30 high and weighs 300kg, with flawless results.
Vlastimil Beránek
Glass sculptor
Šluknov, Czech Republic
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+420 733627422
LANGUAGES
Czech, English
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