Introduction
In my work, I continuously connect the tradition of Czech glassmaking with my own technological innovations. I am fascinated by the boundary between precision and chance, between perfect craftsmanship and artistic expression. Each series represents a different way of engaging in a dialogue with glass – whether through cut decoration, lost material, or precise geometry. I perceive glass as a living material that reacts, transforms, and reflects our ability to understand both order and change. My works are therefore not only the result of a technical process, but also a record of a personal search for balance between reason and emotion.
Milan Krajíček
Artist Statement – „TROJHRANEK“ series
The Trojhránek series was created as a tribute to the traditional Czech cut crystal pattern of the same name, originating from my native Vysočina region. This motif, commonly used in lead crystal, fascinates me with its inner geometry – when enlarged, it evokes architecture, a magical structure unfolding into infinity.In my work, I draw on traditional cutting techniques, which I have expanded through my own innovations. Each object begins as a hand-cast form onto which I precisely grind the Trojhránek pattern. To achieve perfect accuracy, I designed and calculated a custom grinding wheel that allows me to control every reflection of light.However, I intentionally disrupt this precise pattern – in the kiln, I deform it while hot, using my own molds, and later locally melt it with a torch at around 540 °C. This process creates objects ranging from 30 to 50 cm in size, where precision meets spontaneity, control meets release, and order meets transformation.The bowl-like shapes, where the pattern slowly flows over the edge, represent my search for balance between precision and spontaneity. I explore the moment when perfect grinding begins to transform and the material takes on its own will. In this tension between control and freedom, I find the space where traditional craftsmanship evolves into a contemporary artistic object.
Artist Statement – „NEGATIV“ series
The Negativ series represents both a continuation and an inversion of the principle explored in Trojhránek. While that work focuses on the precision of a cut pattern, here the starting point becomes what would normally disappear during cutting – the material ground away and washed down the drain with water. I perceive this “lost” volume as a bearer of new meaning, as a space that deserves to be seen again.Negativ is a conceptual project that reflects on material memory and environmental awareness. I am interested in what happens when values are reversed – when what was once considered waste becomes the essence of the work.Most pieces are created by melting glass directly into a mold, which is then partially ground and allowed to slump freely in the kiln at around 520 °C. I have also innovated the technique of free slumping in the kiln, enabling me to control the process and introduce new formal possibilities. The resulting objects, 50 to 100 cm in size, possess a characteristic perforated texture and organically deformed structure.Here, too, I search for balance between chance and control – between a deep understanding of technology and craftsmanship and the artistic intuition that defines the final form. The resulting works appear both fragile and monumental – visual records of lost matter transformed into new existence.
Artist Statement – „RIGHT ANGLE“ series
In the Right Angle series, I focus on the very principle of precision and geometry – qualities inherently present in glass, yet often subdued in artistic practice. I employed the classical technique of glass casting, but replaced the traditional plaster mold with graphite. This material allows me to create original molds with perfect impressions and absolute precision of right-angled planes.I have spent years developing and refining this casting technique. Graphite molds offer me the opportunity to explore the boundary between exactness and artistic expression – between mathematical order and the individuality of the maker’s hand. Each object emerges from a precisely controlled process where the aesthetic clarity of geometry meets a sensitive understanding of material.I also make use of the specific texture of graphite blocks, which retain visible traces of saw cuts. These subtle marks become an integral part of the finished form – a delicate detail that connects technical perfection with a human touch.In the Right Angle series, I seek a balance between rational and intuitive approaches. Geometry becomes a language through which I speak about order, proportion, and space. Within the precision of form, I find calm and harmony – not as the final goal, but as a means of expressing inner focus and respect for the material.
