Breaking the Mould
an experimental project on glass blown in a mould
an experimental project on glass blown in a mould
Breaking the Mould Breaking the Mould is an exploration in experimental approaches to the traditional techniques of glass making from Murano, Venice. Breaking the Mould consists of seven designers and a material scientist, formed in the winter of 2011, with the shared goal of investigating the possibilities of introducing innovation to glass production, whilst respecting the legacy and nuances of the Muranese tradition.
Breaking the Mould is an open-ended research project that we hope will lead to a range of interesting results. The structure of the project is based in two main phases; one for research, experimentation and testing on selected topics and materials; the other for showcasing and sharing our achievements through a series of exhibitions in selected venues.
Each project will begin from the results and the outcomes of the previous one, as a consistent continuation of a process in progress. The first step of Breaking the Mould is called BTM 01 / The Mould.
Breaking the Mould is an open-ended research project that we hope will lead to a range of interesting results. The structure of the project is based in two main phases; one for research, experimentation and testing on selected topics and materials; the other for showcasing and sharing our achievements through a series of exhibitions in selected venues.
Each project will begin from the results and the outcomes of the previous one, as a consistent continuation of a process in progress. The first step of Breaking the Mould is called BTM 01 / The Mould.
BTM 01 / The Mould BTM 01 / The Mould is a project that focuses on artistic glass made using moulds. We decided to focus on this topic because of the cultural relevance of this process in the context of the glass production in Murano, Venice.
For hundreds of years, up to a few decades ago, the mould has been the key device to produce objects in glass, especially everyday items. Making glass using a mould is certainly less spectacular than seeing a master blowing a piece by hand, but we believe it’s as interesting because of the narratives behind it. The mould implies a direct link to labour and to all the stories belonging to a unique context: it’s about the glorious and humble moments of the Venetian furnaces together.
A more practical reason for choosing the mould is to narrow the area of intervention and to act on a means that is more intuitive for a first approach to glass. Moreover, in a project where different personalities are involved, the concept of mould has been a good topic to start from and allows everyone express their best intuitions.
Finally, the mould has been the physical object that has helped us establish a connection with workers from the furnace; a place where unwritten rules regulate the dynamics of such a special place. Most of our energy went in trying to be accepted in the furnace and to gain the respect of people for whom glass is not just an experiment or a project, but is a devoted lifestyle.
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All the materials used in Breaking the Mould / The Mould tests fulfill the requirements below:
1. BOTTOM-UP ENGINEERING PROCESS
Fibers’ ends designed microfusion with structural lattice elements compatibility between glass and new surfaces.
2. LINEAR THERMAL EXPANSION COEFFICIENTS DIFFERENCE
Δα = α2 – α1 = (x- 7.5)*10(-6) m/m K
with designed α values in order to obtain: -1.0 < Δα < 1.5
achieving a texturing shrinkage.
3. FIBER DIAMETERS AND MATERIALS NOT HEALTH-DANGEROUS
4. NOT-EXPLOSIVE PROCESSES
For immediate industrial production together with moulds multiple usage.
For hundreds of years, up to a few decades ago, the mould has been the key device to produce objects in glass, especially everyday items. Making glass using a mould is certainly less spectacular than seeing a master blowing a piece by hand, but we believe it’s as interesting because of the narratives behind it. The mould implies a direct link to labour and to all the stories belonging to a unique context: it’s about the glorious and humble moments of the Venetian furnaces together.
A more practical reason for choosing the mould is to narrow the area of intervention and to act on a means that is more intuitive for a first approach to glass. Moreover, in a project where different personalities are involved, the concept of mould has been a good topic to start from and allows everyone express their best intuitions.
Finally, the mould has been the physical object that has helped us establish a connection with workers from the furnace; a place where unwritten rules regulate the dynamics of such a special place. Most of our energy went in trying to be accepted in the furnace and to gain the respect of people for whom glass is not just an experiment or a project, but is a devoted lifestyle.
—
All the materials used in Breaking the Mould / The Mould tests fulfill the requirements below:
1. BOTTOM-UP ENGINEERING PROCESS
Fibers’ ends designed microfusion with structural lattice elements compatibility between glass and new surfaces.
2. LINEAR THERMAL EXPANSION COEFFICIENTS DIFFERENCE
Δα = α2 – α1 = (x- 7.5)*10(-6) m/m K
with designed α values in order to obtain: -1.0 < Δα < 1.5
achieving a texturing shrinkage.
3. FIBER DIAMETERS AND MATERIALS NOT HEALTH-DANGEROUS
4. NOT-EXPLOSIVE PROCESSES
For immediate industrial production together with moulds multiple usage.
