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The Glass Revolution in BodaAPRIL 15, 2011 |
| In the deep forests of Småland lies the small village of Boda, one of the most important places in the Swedish “Kingdom of Crystal”. This is where the Art Glass Revolution of 1953 started, with legends like Erik Höglund, Monica Backström, Signe Persson-Melin, and Rolf Sinnemark.
In June 2011, Design House Stockholm and the municipality of Emmaboda opens a new centre for creativity, experience and boarder-crossing collaborations on glass and design. The centre will be located in the old glassworks of Boda, and will combine contemporary design and craft with design history. Design House Stockholm will open the glass studio Vet Hut, a small scale industry focused on producing limited editions of high quality glassware. We think that this kind of small scale operations has the flexibility and creativity that will attract both young and established designers, and that it will have a great commercial potential to reach the right audience through our vast distribution network. The name Vet Hut is derived from a movement started by a group of glass designers in Boda at the end of the 60’s, with members like Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, Bertil Vallien, Rolf Sinnemark, Monica Backström and Ann & Göran Wärff. Design House Stockholm proudly presents Christopher Ramsey, who will be master of the Vet Hut glass studio. Christopher Ramsey was born in the U.S. and educated at the University of Notre Dame and California College of Arts (San Francisco). Previously Mr Ramsey has been active at Pilchuck (WA, USA) as well as Orrefors Kosta Boda and Åfors Glassworks. Today he lives in the old house of Erik Rosén (the legendary executive of Kosta Boda Glassworks, nicknamed “Mr Glass”) next to the Vet Hut studio. Since the master of the glassworks is the one who interprets and realizes the designer’s ideas, it’s the most important key person in the production line, and we at Design House Stockholm think that Mr Ramsey will fit perfectly in this role. The studio will be running seven days a week, starting in June 2011, and visitors will be able to view the creative action up close. In 2012, Vet Hut will open its online shop. The same facilities will also host Design House Stockholm OPEN, a store concept with some of the best brands in Scandinavian design, like Linum, Röshult, Matteus, Ceannis and Lexington, as well as locally produced craft. The Glass Factory is an interactive museum that will show exhibitions of contemporary glass designers, as well as the historical collections of Boda, Kosta, and Åfors Glassworks, a collection of more than 30 000 glass pieces. It will also hold inspiring lectures, workshops, happenings and have programs for kids and youth. The Glass Factory will also use the Vet Hut glass studio in its activities. Welcome to the opening in Boda June 18, 2011. We hope to meet you there! To sign up for the opening party, fill the form on www.kulturrevolutioneniboda.se > A news report from the construction site (in Swedish): A short radio interview with the president of Design House Stockholm, Anders Färdig, and Maja Heuer, head of the Glass Factory museum (in Swedish): Link to an article in the local newspaper "Östran" > For more information about Vet Hut and Design House Stockholm OPEN, please contact Information & Communication Manager Sara Korlén: Phone: +46 8 509 08 105 sara.korlen@designhousestockholm.com For more information about the Glass Factory, please contact Maja Heuer: maja.heuer@emmaboda.se Links: Design House Stockholm OPEN > The Glass Factory website > DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM - SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN TODAY < DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM NEWS > THE GLASS REVOLUTION IN BODA |