SUGAR/GLASS by yukaotani from japan

This project explores similar properties of glass and hard candy by literally fusing them together. Those two materials share many characteristics, but what will happen when they are made into a unified object?

SUGAR/GLASS is a drinking glass which is a hybrid of silicate glass and sugar glass(a.k.a. hard candy). Those two materials are essentially different and thus incompatible, but visually they share quite similar qualities. After many trials and errors, the artist/designer, Yuka Otani somehow finds a way to fuse them together. The shot glass is made in a very specific way that the texture and
color of glass match that of sugar glass so that it is difficult to distinguish one from the other just by looking at it. The object reveals its fluid nature only when it is in use.

The cup part of the glass starts melting when in contact with liquid inside because it is made of hard candy. After 10-15minutes of containing liquid, it may cause a leak from the bottom of the cup.The bottom part is cast glass(pate de verre) and thus it does not stick to hand. it is reusable after the cup is consumed. Isomalt is a special confectionary sugar made of beet sugar. It’s calorie and sweetness is 50% of table sugar. The glass adds a subtle sweetness to the liquid it holds.

The initial phase of this project was developed during the artist in residence program at The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass (Corning, NY, USA) in 2015. The outcome was presented as a dessert wine party in which guests are invited to enjoy drinking Atwater Winery’s signature ice wine served in SUGAR/GLASS.