Storied Finnish glassworks Iittala unveils “Unda,” a debut collaboration with designer Sabine Marcelis that artfully captures light’s dance on water. The collection, inspired by Finland’s sunlit waters, features lamps and vases resulting from a pioneering production technique developed with the brand’s glassblowers.
“I’m fascinated by the way sunlight or moonlight hits rippling water,” Marcelis shares. “It’s a mesmerising, ever-changing dance. I wanted to capture that in a more permanent way.”
A Harmonious Collaboration on Finnish Sunlit Waters
Marcelis, known for her work with reflective and translucent surfaces like her “Candy Cubes,” lends her innovative touch to Iittala, a historic 145-year-old glass company famous for the Aalto Vase. This partnership naturally extends her exploration of light, opacity, and transparency in design, reflecting the playfulness of these pristine bodies of water.
“Her fascination with these qualities feels uniquely relevant to Iittala and glass,” remarks Iittala creative director Janni Vepsäläinen. “They are fundamental to the medium, yet can transform our perception of a simple object.”
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Capturing Finnish Sunlit Waters with Innovative Techniques
The idea for Unda arose from discussions on Finnish light’s low-angle sun and its interaction with water. Collaborating with Iittala’s glassblowers in Finland’s largest remaining glass factory, Marcelis developed a technique to press ripple textures into glassware’s interior using welded metal grids, capturing the essence of the sunlit scenes in each piece.
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“Pressing the pattern onto the inside of the object is something Iittala has never done before,” notes Vepsäläinen. “After several trials and workshops, we finally succeeded.”
The resulting collection includes a cylindrical table lamp with a wave pattern that intensifies when lit, and a vase available in a limited edition of 500 jumbo-sized pieces, standing nearly half a meter tall. Available in Dawn’s soft pink, Dusk’s light umber, and Shadow’s smoky grey, each piece reflects the Finnish water’s essence, reminiscent of the peacefulness of their sunlit beauty.
Iittala’s Legacy of Capturing Water
“Exploring fluidity and water is part of Iittala’s DNA,” Vepsäläinen observes. “Aino Aalto first captured the water ripple essence in 1932, and her series remains in production today.”
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What inspired the Unda glassware collection?
The Unda collection is inspired by Finland’s sunlit waters and captures the dance of light on water. Sabine Marcelis wanted to create a permanent representation of the mesmerizing effect of sunlight or moonlight on rippling water.
What technique was used in the Unda glassware?
Marcelis, in collaboration with Iittala’s glassblowers, developed a technique to press ripple textures into the interior of the glassware using welded metal grids, which had not been done before by Iittala.
What items are included in the Unda collection?
The collection includes a cylindrical table lamp with a wave pattern and a vase available in a limited edition of 500 jumbo-sized pieces.