Despite the cold weather. and the March break holiday we were happy to see so many familiar faces join us for our reception with Nagano-based glass artists Studio Prepa. Our latest exhibition “Mold All” Presented by Play Mountain and Studio Prepa is a collection of glass art made using wooden molds that leave the impression of wood bark and end-grain on each vase. The wood is burned away, so a new mold has to be made for every piece resulting in a collection of unique works in many different sizes and shapes.

If you haven’t seen the video we last posted, you have to check it out. It is incredible to see the process.

Above: Mr. Hira’s tools and what is left of the wood mold after it is used.

The process itself is inspired by Scandinavian “Ice glass” which was popularized by artists like Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva. Even the iconic “Savoy” vase designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1930s was originally made using a wood mold and then later made with a metal one to accommodate mass-production. The Hira’s took this original process, and enhanced it even more by lining bark to the interior of the mold to further romanticize the texture of wood grain. Now these vases look almost like they are the form of the log itself, instead of just the interior.

Very beautiful grey / blue glasses.

The complimentary amber vases look especially nice with bright green leaves.

Along with the Moldall collection, we also showed Studio Prepa’s art glass which they are famous for.

Maple lids carved to perfectly fit the asymmetrical forms of each vase.

Very Scandinavian looking glass-cast candle holders.

Bud vases.

One of our favorites in the collection: the glass planters.

A glass paper weight used as a futaoki (lid rest).

Mr. and Mr.s Hira on the far right.