Bořek Šípek opened his own glass studio in Nový Bor

Nový Bor (Českolipsko) - The glass studio Anežka was opened today in Nový Bor by designer Bořek Šípek. He told journalists that he fulfilled a dream of having his own glassworks on his "old knees", as he had always collaborated with others until now. The new studio was established in the former Anna glassworks, which Šípek purchased and has been working in for almost half a year. He has access to a traditional glassworks and grinding room, as well as a team of top glassmakers. The studio is ready to produce glass not only according to Šípek's ideas but also offers services to other artists.
    "This is the glass studio I have long desired. I wanted to have my own, which is technically equipped to meet the needs of my production," Šípek said. The studio employs around ten people and operates in one shift, but is capable of working in a two-shift mode for larger orders. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the production is intended for export. According to Šípek, Czech glass has a future, but it is not in mass production, where it is "rolled over" by cheaper China or India. The future of Czech glassmakers, he believes, lies in top craftsmanship, which the new studio in Nový Bor aims to focus on.
    The designer wants to build upon the best of the tradition of Czech glassmaking and continuously push and raise the boundaries of glass artistic craftsmanship. Today, Šípek also presented a new collection of glass, which he plans to publicly showcase starting from April 6 at the Gallery Sklepení in Brno. The collection will then move to Milan for the international design fair Salone Internazionale Del Mobile and will be at the Design Lounge in Malá Strana, Prague, from May.
    Throughout his career, Bořek Šípek has risen among the design and architectural elite not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad. He designs residences, department stores, furniture, vases, coffee and dining sets, glass, and even door handles. He taught at the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague, for 12 years at a university in Vienna, and is currently a professor and dean of the Faculty of Art and Architecture at the Technical University in Liberec. For many years, he served as the artistic director of the Ajeto glassworks in nearby Lindava.