alissa volchkova forms irregular crystal glasses for alcova at milan design week

franco-russian designer and artist, alissa volchkova, has formed the ‘back to origins’ glassware series for the alcova exhibition at 2019’s milan design week. the project intends to act as a tribute to the stone age – when human identity, social progress and behavioural modernity developed alongside the first man-made tools. the resulting collection of crystal glasses also aims to defy traditional notions of beauty such as perfection, regularity and symmetry. 

models are carved out of wax using a ceramic knife

all images courtesy of alissa volchkova

volchkova has utilized crystal in a paradoxical, irregular and imperfect way. by using this approach, the project aims to challenge our perception of this precious material by bringing it back to its raw natural state. to form the objects, simple, primitive techniques have been employed. to emulate the instinctive gestures used during the stone age, the designer has used a ceramic knife to carve, break and cut into the form, without thinking about the final shape of the objects.

breaking the bits of crystal to arrange the colors and prepare them for the melting process

the process employed by volchkova results in matt, rough and irregular crystal glasses – in direct contrast to the transparent, shiny and symmetrical objects that are more typically found. the raw texture of the glass is finalized by the kiln firing process, that, due to its unpredictability, ensures a final result that can never be controlled. the ‘back to origins’ series can be discovered at the alcova exhibition at milan design week 2019 from april 9th to the 14th.

moulds of the wax models are ready for firing (on top the bits of broken crystal are arranged in pots)

close-up view of the broken crystal

an excess of melted glass oozes out after the firing process

breaking the moulds

the mould is chipped away

the final shape of the crystal glass is revealed

the finished crystal glasses

project info:

project name: ‘back to origins’

design: alissa volchkova

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom