Brilliant by Design
Brilliant By Design is the title of an exhibition of Czech glass and porcelain, organized by the Czech Centres to support Czech design and the creative industries. This network project of the Czech Centres – the first in a series of long-term initiatives promoting Czech glass internationally – took place between 2013 and 2015. Its aim was to highlight both the quality and diversity of the work of Czech designers engaged in these fields. The exhibition placed contemporary design pieces in the context of their historical predecessors, drawing attention to various aspects of the development of the Czech tradition of glass and porcelain production.
Czech glass and porcelain are among the most successful export products of the Czech Republic, as demonstrated, among other things, by their strong representation among Czech exhibitors at the Ambiente in 2013 in Frankfurt am Main. The current high aesthetic and craftsmanship standards of Czech glass and porcelain production are undoubtedly supported by the long-standing manufacturing tradition in the region.
Since the mid-19th century, Czech glass manufacturers have presented products at international exhibitions whose designs were entrusted to academically trained artists. Even today, artists and designers remain an integral part of the entire production process. Czech glass and porcelain also owe their international success to the courage with which they continuously push the boundaries of what is technically possible.
Between 2013 and 2015, the exhibition presented design glass and porcelain produced by contemporary Czech manufacturers. Through examples of successful and timeless designs from approximately the last one hundred years, it demonstrated the continuity of these manufacturing traditions in the Czech lands. Historical artifacts were presented through photographs, allowing visitors to view each contemporary exhibit within the broader context of the development of Czech glass and porcelain, including specific production and technological processes.
The curator of the exhibition was Petr Nový, Director of Professional Activities and Chief Curator of the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou, which also served as the exhibition’s main partner. The exhibition architecture was designed by the renowned studio Olgoj Chorchoj.
The exhibited works were created by the following designers: František Vízner, Jiří Pelcl, Olgoj Chorchoj, Martin Žampach, Matěj Chabera, Vanda Mocová, Martin Fait,René Roubíček, Arik Levy, Rony Plesl, Zdeněk Lhotský, Jiří Laštovička, Viktor Chalepa, Daniel Piršč.
Presentation abroad
Frankfurt am Main / Ambiente
Bratislava / Bratislava Design Week / Pisztory Palace
Budapest / Budapest Design Week / Ponton Gallery
Moscow / Stroganov Academy
Stockholm / Stockholm Design Week
Ghent / Museum Design
Vilnius / Museum of Applied Arts and Design
Bucharest / Galateca Gallery
Sofia / Czech Centre Sofia
Prague / Czech Centre Prague