Bird spotting

Ever the innovators, glassware and ceramics store-cum-gallery, Vessel, present their latest exhibition to have the locals flocking, a new generation of Iittala Birds

Above: Vessel presents its latest exhibition to get the locals flocking

The name Oiva Toikka will resonate with collectors and lovers of glassware as the man behind the famous hand-blown glass bird sculptures which started with his small Flycatchers in the 1970s and became a worldwide phenomenon. While Finnish artist Toikka continues to produce new birds for his collection, he has been joined by Italian artist and jewellery designer Giorgio Vigna who has created a new generation of distinguished, sculptural birds for Iittala called the Vigna Collection.

Vigna, who hails originally from Verona, is fascinated by the tension of opposites; reality and imagination, shape and material; and his use of glass is sophisticated and expressive. ‘Each material has its own individual expression that I respect,’ he says. His fascination with glass, in particular, is as an organic, live material. ‘Each time, it is a miracle to see how the primal shapes, emerging from the hot kiln, are transformed into the creative drop in the crucible,’ he says. ‘And step by step the birds – these glass jewels are born.’

Vigna created his collection in the two Iittala factories in Nuutajärvi in Finland using old craft traditions and techniques still in place there and in Murano. His pieces are often sculptural and they carry strong symbolic meanings. Talking about the collection, he says, ‘The strength of the birds lies in their primal, elemental drop shape.’ The birds’ compact, linear sculptures evoke the bone structure of living birds and the layers of glass bring to mind the skin feathers of real birds.

There are three ‘species’ in Vigna’s collection of 12 pieces: Circoli Birds, Colori Birds and Contrasti Birds. Circoli Birds are elegant and dynamic, with thick layers of glass, and are asymmetrical, with a different form in head and body. Each has a single colour on the surface but the skilful interweaving of opaque and transparent glass creates a gentle play of light and colour. The straight cut of the tail reveals Vigna’s contemporary interpretation of the traditional Murano glass craftsmanship.

As their name suggests, Colori Birds play with different, refined colours. Their form is symmetrical, well-defined, with the body and the head exact replicas, only in different scales. The Contrasti Birds reflect Vigna’s interest in opposites: here in the interplay of light and shade, which is created through the use of transparent, opaque and black glass. Contrasting colours reflect the inner and outer space and add more dimensions into the objects.

‘Following our successful Animal Magic exhibition last year we are once again showcasing more animals, in this case these beautiful handmade crystal birds,’ says Angel Monzon, Vessel’s co-owner and art director. ‘I think they are a real fusion of Italian sensuality and Finnish Modernism handcrafted in the most skilful way possible as only these glass blowers can do, deep in the middle of the forest in Finland.’

She continues, ‘We have also picked up on the trend and desire of people wanting more decorative pieces in their home, these pieces are decorative but also very contemporary – and they don't need feeding or cleaning!’

Birds (priced from £275 to £479), until 23 June,
Vessel, 114 Kensington Park Road, W11;
020 7727 8001;
www.vesselgallery.com