Yesterday I found a bunch of mislaid photos, cut outs and brochures from Sweden. It was wonderful to find it all again – it made me relive the highlights of some hot and inspiring summer holidays at Öland a couple of years ago where one of the absolute top peaks was a visit at VIDA – the modern Museum of the island housing a permanent exhibition of works made by the glass artists Bertil Vallien and Ulrica Hydman-Vallien. Especially his metres-long, sand-cast ship forms totally took my breath away. Looking deep into these sealed boats of massive glass is like having a glimpse of eternity or the very existence of mankind.
The Valliens have been married for more than forty years – and have been glass makers a little bit longer. The couple lives out a dual role as both industrial designers and free artists.
They happen to have a big exhibition HE and SHE right now Marts 30 – July 8 at Rockford Art Museum in Illinois. Go and see it – and get youself an extended view on what can be expressed in glass…
