Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You'll see two different types of glass being created: everyday table-
ware and art pieces. The mass-produced tableware—such as wine
glasses—is created by small teams of glassblowers who use an assembly-
line system, supervised by a “master,” who monitors quality control. Art-
glass pieces, however, are never the same. The region has a passel of big-
name designers, each with their own aesthetic and all considered local
celebrities. Mostglass artists conceptualize the design, butleave the actual
grunt work to their assistants—you might see the artist hovering off to the
side, directing the glassblowers.
As you watch these masters at work, keep in mind they're working
with a molten medium that can melt skin. First, a worker places the glass-
blowing rod into the furnace (notice the foot pedals used to open and close
the doors) and grabs a blob of molten glass. Glassblowers have to move
quickly—before the glass hardens too much—but carefully, to avoid shat-
