Magija poslužavnik Magic serving platter
sential source of beauty. Perfectly blended craft and art, glamorous nature and func- tionality, all reasons why they refer to the North as a kingdom of glass and crystal. Glass has been known in Scandina- via since ancient times. Small glassworks in peat areas were developed for centu- ries, and some of them are still working today. This is the case with Norway’s Je- vik glassworks, which has been working since 1803. Blue glass is the trademark of this factory, and the blue spiral tableware you can see in the exhibition come straight from their workshop. Denmark is represented by famous artist Jørn Utzon, the man who designed the Sydney Opera House. He found inspira- tion for his“Spring”drinking glasses in na- ture, which can be seen very clearly as you watch how water flows out of these glasses. The exhibition also includes the“Mag- ic” tray, created by Finnish artists Heik- ki Orvola and Klaus Haapaniemi. It was produced at the iitala glassworks, which was founded in 1881. This oval tray of hand-moulded glass bears the stamp of Klaus Haapaniema, one of the greatest ris- ing stars when it comes to design. This de- signer has collaborated with the likes of Diesel, Levis, Dolce & Gabbana and Cacha- rel. Although he is focused on fashion de- sign, he could not resist putting his stamp on the magic of the North.
There are also works by Finland’s Ka- ri Alakoski, the world’s top glassblowing master, who always succeeds in combin- ing colours and shapes in a unique way. The 2014 sculpture “Big Five Lions” represents the peak of art when it comes to engraved glass. The work of Swedish artist Mats Jonasson, the sculpture was made at the Moleros glassworks, which is today synonymous with high-quality crys- tal. The factory, established in 1890, initial- ly engaged in the production of flat glass, before developing to produce crystal over the years. When Jonasson joined the staff at the factory in 1959, he immediately be- came a noted engraver. The factory gath- ered artists, then 15 of them, led by Jonas- son, resolved to buy the factory from its then owner in 1981. They were helped in this endeavour by the local population: 80 of the village’s 250 inhabitants invested money in the glass factory with these art- ists. The risk paid off. Today it is the largest private glass factory in Sweden, produc- ing products which prove that true talent and understanding of the material create works of stunning style. The exhibition will be on display in Bel- grade until 15 th March, after which it will move on to Novi Sad’s Museum of Vojvodi- na, where these artistic glassworks will be exhibited from 21 st March until 20 th April.
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