The arts of glass in Slovakia

The glass department within Bratislava's Academy of Fine Arts' is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Unlike the neighbouring Czech Republic, historically Slovakia did not have such a strong artistic tradition in this medium. But four decades after the founding of the Academy's glass department, there exists a fragile but distinctly Slovak glass tradition.

So how did the tradition of Slovak glass get started? Juraj Gavula is the head of the glass department at the Academy:

"The hegemony of studio glass was found in the Czech Republic through their Expo 1958 exhibition in Brussels. The department of glass in architecture at our school was founded in 1965 by one of the glass artists present at this exhibition, professor Cigler."

Mr. Gavula says Vaclav Cigler taught his students to be relaxed in their approach to the fragile material. Leaving the renowned Czech or Bohemian art glass tradition known for its intricate decorative nature, Prof Cilger managed to bring up a generation of Slovak artists who turned glass objects into artistic artefacts. During the past 40 years, Slovak art glass production has developed to a top standard. Curator Zeman:

"I think that a very unique discipline in art glass started in Bratislava, when in 1965 Professor Cigler came to Bratislava from Prague to head the department of glass in architecture. This unique position in the history of art also makes Slovak glass so special."

Bohemian glass art has been highly valued by international collectors for centuries. According to expert sources, over the period of the past 500 years Bohemian glass was at numerous times the greatest in the world. Always innovative, Czech glass makers remained among the best in the world. To give but one example, by 1936, some 40 percent of the world's glass was made in what was then Czechoslovakia.

So, in what way does Slovak art glass differ from its more famous Czech counterpart? Juraj Gavula gives the following explanation:

"Professor Cigler used to say that in Bohemia the production of glass, even art glass, was rooted far back in history. Its nature and appearance is more of the decorative, baroque type. There is nothing like that to be found in Slovak glass objects."

The department of studio glass at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava will celebrate its 40th birthday with a series of exhibitions during the coming school year. One of them is already open, in the Nova gallery in the very centre of the Slovak capital. It presents the work of the youngest generation of Slovak glass artists. Among them are Lenka Simoniova, a second year student, and Jan Gasparovic, who is in the 5th year. They were attracted to the medium for different reasons:

"Well, I have been inspired by glass since I was a little girl. I have always been attracted by the transparency of this material."

"I studied at the applied arts high school focusing on metal materials. I was creating two-dimensional objects and I decided to work in three dimensions."

There are 15 students studying at the department of glass at the Academy of Fine Arts at the moment. They are followers of successful artists. Slovak art glass has found its place in the international art market. Names like Jan Zoricak, Milos Balgavy and Zora Palova have been appearing at important art events all over the world. The history of Slovak art glass might not be long, but is rich nonetheless, and for many the future looks bright.