Bringing out the charm of glass.
In an interview, commenting on his own works, Shirahata, the glass craft artist once wrote, ”My job is to bring out the charm of glass.”
What is the charm of glass? It may lie in a large sheet of glass. It may be the delicate decorations curved on glass. There are various forAnd in each form there is a different charm. The glass itself has a wide variety. The glass craft has an infinite potential.
Not to see things in one perspective.
Shirahata did not become an artist straight away, but he worked as an employee at the glass manufacturer, Hoya Corporation. He was planning to become independent someday, and he learned many things at the company.
Among the things he had learned are surface grinding technique and ”kiriko” (cutting) technique which later became very important factors of his works. Generally, in a large factory, the work places are divided for each skill, and they become specialists.
”Usually, ”kiriko” workers don’t do surface grinding, and surface grinding workers don’t do ”kiriko”. But while working at the company, I learned both.”
That is why he can create works that bring out the fascination of various facets of glass fully.
In pursuit of various forms of expression.
The two works, which he took out very carefully out of a box, had completely different tastes. One was a ball shaped piece of glass onto which elegant and delicate designs are engraved. The other one was of a bold design, using the plane of a sheet glass surface with an impressive straight edge. These two works of different tastes are created by the same artist, and only Shirahata, who have learnt both shaving and polishing, ”kiriko” and surface grinding, is able to make works of such expression. The works are not only a display of skills , but when they shine in the light, they are both powerfully attractive that charm the people who look at them.
”When I see works of art, I imagine them being in certain spaces. I imagine what kind of room goes well with this piece, or for this piece what sort of space is suitable.. I’m sure that these two pieces will definitely go well with different kind of place,” said Nakata. ”True,” nodded Shirahata in agreement.
The impression of works change greatly according to the different decorations they are given. The glass shows many different aspects. How far will the charm of glass evolve? Shirahata is constantly searching for new and diverse expressions.
