nykytaide – Contemporary Glass

16/04/202326/04/2023

Exhibition in G12, Helsinki

lasitaide lasiveistos nykytaide — Snake-shaped chandeliers that weep tears, symbolize the complexities and struggles of domestic life. Snake is a symbol of rebirth and transformation, and a metaphor for the primal, animalistic urges that lie dormant within us. In many cultures, snakes are seen as both symbols of healing and destruction.

Homes are more than mere structures that we inhabit. For they serve as reflections of our innermost thoughts, emotions, and concealed identities. Sini Majuri’s latest sculpture series delves into the non-physical dimensions of our existence.

Sini Majuri’s glass exhibition is open in G12 Gallery in Helsinki from April 22 till May 11, 2023. Pieces blend the tangible and intangible, the old and new, and the handmade and digital. By blurring the lines between art and science, Majuri hopes to capture the ever-evolving nature of art and the human experience – and challenge viewers to consider is it possible that technology could unlock new depths of creativity – Or will it ultimately lead to a loss of authenticity and soul?

The glass sculptures portray layers of feminine countenances of the human psyche. By toying with ugliness and beauty, these works invite to think about the intricate nature of human perception and the multifaceted dimensions of aesthetics. Similarly, the image of a woman with layered faces represent the different roles that women play in society, as well as the complex nature of femininity itself.

Majuri’s work portrays homes as both a sanctuary of comfort and a site of trauma, using symbols like the weeping serpent and layered women to represent the nature of our subconscious. Glass, with its transparency and fragility is a metaphor for the human mind, which is complex and multifaceted. We may curate our homes to reflect a certain image or ideal, but behind closed doors, there may be hidden struggles and complexities that we keep hidden away from view. Antimatter series is showcasing both the light and the dark aspects of domestic life. While Finland ranks as the happiest country in the world, domestic violence remains a significant problem. The transparency of glass reminds us that what we see on the surface may not always be the full story.

lasinpuhallus lasitaide nykytaide veistos — Antimatter series mirror the theme of Homes, how they are the vessels of our being, the repositories of our memories, for they are more than mere structures that we inhabit. Sculptures also offer a reminder that healing and growth are possible, even in the face of trauma and adversity

Glass as a medium highlights the idea of transparency and the power of seeing through barriers. In the same way that glass reveals what lies beneath its surface – sculptures invite viewers to explore the hidden layers of our own consciousness and the stories that we often keep concealed. Transparency underscores the importance of vulnerability and honesty in our relationships, both with ourselves and with others. Glass is a material that is both fragile and strong, transparent and reflective. These qualities are a metaphor for the contradictions and paradoxes that we encounter in our lives.

Sini Majuri’s Artist Meet 4.5 at 12.00 in G12 Gallery, Annankatu 16.

Listen Sini Majuri’s interview in Radio Helsinki from here.

Images by Juha-Matti Vahdersalo

03/06/202205/06/2022

Infinity Vessel

Infinity Vessel production fuzes holographic art and AR together with studio made glass. Infinity Vessel Video by Juha-Matti Vahdersalo & Iiro Svanbäck.

Finnish glass artists Sini Majuri and Marja Hepo-aho discover the limits of the ancient art of glass in the Infinity Vessel production opening in Venice on September 2022. The myth of Pandora comes to live when contemporary glass mixes with holographic art, haunting soundscapes and grim interpretation of AR.

Majuri and Hepo-aho uses augmented reality as a way to illustrate a hidden – subconscious levels of human mind, where all the fears live. The modern tech reaches the intangible surfaces of expression in the narrative that mirrors the state of the society – asking what happens when human is disconnected from humanity.

As in the myth of Pandora, hope is an important part of the whole, and it is reflected via the profound connection between humanity and craftmanship. The connection is interpreted in a Live glass blowing show at the legendary Berengo Studio Murano.

The surreal project reflecting the state of the society will be exhibited in Venice on September 2022. Image by Juha-Matti Vahdersalo.

In the glass show the artists demonstrate how the hope is the final thing released from the Pandora’s vessel. The vessel is paradoxically broken and whole at the same time – as a metaphor to a human.

Infinity Vessel production is a riddle where the participants are experiencing contemporary glass art in a adventurous way. It is a live show, exhibition as well as a real life treasure hunt where valuable glass sculptures are hidden in the maze of Venetian Streets. The open hunt will last for nine days and has a AR level tied to the experience – where the treasure hunters will see the horrors of Pandora spreading across the ancient city.

In the treasure hunt valuable artifacts are hidden in Venice for anyone to find. Image by Juha-Matti Vahdersalo

The Infinity Vessel project has three parts: an installation, live show and a treasure hunt. The installation is a vessel that is broken and whole at the same time, as a paradox. Horrors and nightmares are illustrated via hographic art and augmented reality – as layers of the experience.

17/05/202203/06/2022

Summer Collections

I’m delighted to receive four design awards from the international A’Design Awards! The summer 2022 collections Pikku, Purnu and Orinnoro as well as Suonenjoki vase designed for the city of Suonenjoki were awarded. It is especially meaningful that studio made glass is represented and appreciated in these sort of design forums in the United Nations International Year of Glass 2022. Furthermore it is great to launch these new collections with such a positive starting point as I have started new collaboration with Momono Design Store in Helsinki! If you are visiting Helsinki, you can find Momono from Yrjönkatu, near Design Museum. I have also started to collaborate with Taiko. You can visit my online gallery from here. It has also been a great honor to be chosen into international Homo Faber guide. You can find my site from here.

One of the most memorable projects have been an interview by Isabel Laine for her Bachelor thesis (Suomalainen lasitaide nykytaiteena. Esimerkkinä Sini Majurin nykylasi) for the University of Turku. The thesis is about the relationship of contemporary glass and contemporary art.

This summer I wanted to create something cute and small. Pikku is my first mini size vase and it is studio made in Suomenlinna island. Vases are inspired by soap bubbles and romantic movies. The philosophy of the Pikku is that the small details in our life are precious. In the hectic world it is important to pay attention to a single flower. Vase won a bronze award and was also noted in Avotakka magazine May issue. The vases can be found from Momono as well as from my studio.

Purnu jar is also something rather flirty, pink and smaller than my usual objects. As a designer I usually prefer using quite voluminous glass, which is still present on the thick bottom of the Purnu jar. Actually 20 cm tall Purnu is a miniature version of Orinnoro jar that is a 65 cm tall. The collection is inspired by marshmallows and pop culture. The design philosophy of the object is to reflect the Northern aesthetics with playful colors and simplified shape. Both Orinnoro and Purnu won Bronze and are created in Riihimäki, Finland at Mafka&Alakoski glass studio. Suonenjoki vase was designed for my home town, Suonenjoki. Therefore it was truly touching to also win an award from the vase.

This spring I have also been designing a new sort of project for the Finnish Craft & Design fair: an unique art piece for the event to use as their theme object. You can find the entire interview about the project from the link. The sculpture was made with traditional graal glass blowing technique and the theme of the piece is The Future. The idea of the sculpture is that one must see up close to see far too. When you look inside an object, you first look through lace, as if through a human craft tradition, inside a cell and into humanity. Hands support the future. At the same time, glass is eternal but fragile. Delicate and strong. It’s kind of a paradox.

The craft fair will be held in Tampere. Finland.

26/01/202210/01/2023

KOTI exhibition at The Museum of Fine Arts Eemil

Sini Majuri’s exhibition has opened at the Museum of Fine Arts Eemil. The theme of the exhibition ‘Home’ (Finnish Koti) is illustrated via poetic blown glass. Home is something that define ourselves: who we are and who we desireto be. Home can mean Chaos or a Serene safe haven. It can be dangerous. Loving. Home is missed. It’s not for granted to have a home. Especially in the midst of pandemics home has evolved into new dimensions.

The cartoon story is captured inside blown glass in the exhibition. The illustrations have broken textures that mimic the feeling of ancient and also reflect on the fragile nature of a human. Sini Majuri, Chambers. Graal technique. Suomenlinna 2022.

The exhibition is part of the program of UN’s international year of glass 2022 – which is why Majuri wanted to highlight the diversity, co-operation and vitality of Finnish contemporary glass in the exhibition. The artist is not only shaping the glass material but the whole creative field and its future.

Studio made glass is an expressive medium that can give a shape to a feeling, the visible and invisible levels of existence. The theme Home is mirrored via multi-layered interpretations of classic Graal- glass blowing technique. Glass story follows the logic of a dream and Home is also seen as a metaphor to a persons psyche. An important part of the narrative is how our own position affects the ways we see each other.

“Inside the optical, vivid glass, a face is distorted. It is impossible to see it as real because the glass material is never static – as a human never is. I’m interested in human gender and how it has been illustrated in culture over the Millennia. ” Sini Majuri. Family Portrait – Hollywood. Riihimäki 2022

The exhibition first focuses on the atmosphere of the Majuri’s home region and then walks into the building to see who lives there. There are multiple hidden layers in the story that can only be seen from exact angle. The textures of the illustrations imitate ancient feel and broken surfaces. This is a metaphor to humanity. Home is seen as a part of a persons psyche. Sini Majuri. Graal technique. Suomenlinna 2022

Glass is a language of beauty – because it is an optical, reflective material that can express subtle shades of emotions, which are otherwise difficult to reach. The sculptures focus in a way human are seen and looked at. The cartoon is inspired by the selfie culture that is mixed into an ancient feel. The main idea in the story is human perspective: how we are tied to our own viewpoint when looking at others. Multi-layered sculptures illustrate the depth of a person. The exhibition is open from January 28 till April 17 2022 in the Museum of Fine Arts Eemil, Lapinlahti Finland.

Read more about the exhibition from Iisalmen Sanomat News Paper: Link

Read an aticle from the Contemporary Glass Society: Link

03/06/202123/08/2021

Exhibition in Suonenjoki

My exhibition Etiäinen reflects the beliefs and customs related to visiting traditions in Northern Savonia, mixing these with the pandemic experience. The dreamlike works are created from mouth-blown glass in Riihimäki, Suomenlinna and Nuutajärvi. Etiäinen, which premieres in the Kellarikalleria art gallery in Suonenjoki, is supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Join the Virtual 360 exhibition by Rautalampilehti from here.

Cell-series. Join the **virtual exhibition** by clicking the image above. Pic by: Markku Leskinen, Rautalampilehti

Orinnoro series. Pic: Tuire Punkki, Savon Sanomat. Click the image above to read the entire article from the Savon Sanomat newspaper.

The exhibition also highlights the cooperation in the field of Finnish studio made glass. I have worked with Kari Alakoski and Marja Hepo-aho from Riihimäki for years now. They specialize in the creation of massive sculptural glass. For example the voluminous Cell and Orinnoro series are blown by these master glass blowers. The Miekkavesi sculpture also has a special mixture of two very different mediums: fish skin and blown glass. Designer and cobbler Tytti Porvari from Mikkeli has made a fish skin belt for the glass sculpture. There are also multiple layered graal sculptures blown by me in Lasistudio Hytti ry, in Suomenlinna island. The exhibition venue, Kellarikalleria also has a special role in my journey as an artist. It is the very firs place I have seen art as a child.

The Mayor of the town of Suonenjoki, *Juha Piiroinen* opened the exhibition in Kellarikalleria gallery. Pic by Olli Kokander.

*Tytti Porvari* finishing the Miekkavesi sculpture that combines blown glass and fish skin belt. Pic by Jari Ikonen

See a **video** from the exhibition by YLE by clicking the image above. Pic: Marianne Mattila, YLE

I have collected material for the exhibition through newspaper ads as well as local social media, asking what sort of customs people have in their family. For example, coffee drinking has a rich tradition. It is very precise which cup is offered to the guest or how when after the invitation it is appropriate to go to the coffee table. Also, if the spoon, a knife or a fork falls to the floor it can predict weddings, male or female guests.

In some families, Grandma knew to make coffee before the guests arrived because she had Etiäinen. The footsteps walked inside and sat in the living room for coffee. The quest soon walked in. Etiäinen, the name of the exhibition means an impression of a person, that walks before us, doing everything we are about to do before us. It’s in a way a living shadow of a person.

One important story in the exhibition is by a 17 years old woman that was planning a small wedding party with her sister during the first months of the Pandemic. She wondered if soap bubbles can spread the virus; How something innocent and beautiful can become frightening. This theme is mirrored in the Cell-sculptures of the exhibition.

Kahvi-sculpture mirrors the coffee drinking traditions, etiäinen-omens and pandemic experience as a dream like scene. Pic: Tuire Punkki, Savon Sanomat. Read the article from the link

The exhibition is open in Kellarikalleria, Suonenjoki 2 – 24.6.2021. After this it will continue to Gumbostrand Konst&Form in Sipoo and Art Museum Eemil in Lapinlahti.

04/02/202111/03/2021

Flow collection brings 3D perspective into abstract brush strokes

The Flow edition gains inspiration from the elegance of the movement of liquid glass that is frozen into a stasis that is fragile yet forever. The rhythm of the glass making process ensures that every vessel has unique splashes of color that mimic the dance of brush strokes of abstract impression. Every vase has their own breath. It’s a methaphor for a soul of a piece that makes it more than mere interior object. Flow is a 3th edition of Sini Majuri’s Jungle series that has been awarded with a Golden and Silver A’Design Award.

The Flow is a 3th edition of Sini Majuri’s Jungle Collection. Every vase has it’s own color play inside a thick glass.

Every vessel is studio made in Finland and shaped by hand.

Flow collection mixes Scandinavian cool with capricious Finnish glass blowing techniques that allow color flow freely within the glass layers. Collection has three shapes and the design is available in green, blue and purple. Studio made vases are signed by hand and numbered.

A simplified shape can become multi-dimensional in glass medium; There is the visual layer of glass: how does the glass reflect, how will the colors look in different light. Above all there are also the historical layers of glass, the origin of Finnish glass making and the rare knowledge behind the craftsmanship.

Inquiries of the Flow Collection via email. Manufacturing time of orders with more than 10 objects is 2 weeks. For international orders, please ask for a quote with shipping fee.

Flow Collection is made in wide (20 cm tall), small (9 cm tall) and tall (23 cm tall) shape.

The process of the Flow Collection ensures that every vase has a unique color play inside the hand shaped glass. Made in Mafka&Alakoski studio, Riihimäki, Finland.

07/05/202007/05/2020

Sini Majuri wins three A’ Design Awards from Italy

A’ Design Award and Competition is the worlds’ largest design competition awarding best designs, design concepts and products & services. Image by A design Award.

Sini Majuri has been honored with two renowned Silver A’ Design Awards and one Iron Award. The Rainforest glass series won the Silver from Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Competition. Also Majuri’s work Iceberg won a Silver Award at Arts, Crafts and Ready-Made Design Competition Category. The Iron award was given to Majuri’s Spike lamp design at Lighting Products and Lighting Projects Design Competition Category.

The collection aims to create vases that have unusually thick glass as their material. The space for inner part of the vase is minimized. Almost hidden. This makes the vases appear voluminous, yet light.

The Rainforest vases are a mixture of 3D designed shapes and traditional Scandinavian steamstick technique. The hand shaped pieces have extremely thick glass with weightlessly floating splashes of color. The studiomade collection is inspired by the contrasts of nature, and how it creates harmony.

The A’ Design Competition is organized annually in Como, Italy. Image by A’Design Award.

The Silver A’ Design Award is a prestigious award given to top 5% percentile designs that has achieved an exemplary level of originality in design. Entries to the A’ Furniture Design Awards are peer reviewed and anonymously judged by an expert jury panel of prominent academics, important press members and experienced professionals. Nominated furniture designs are voted on pre-determined evaluation criteria to highlight only the leading furniture design works.

Icebergs are interior sculptures. By connecting mountains, it is possible to build mountain ranges, mental landscapes made of glass. The surface of each recycled glass object is unique. Thus, each object has a unique character, a soul. Sculptures are handshaped, signed and numbered in Finland. The main philosophy behind the Iceberg sculptures is to reflect the climate change.

Spike lamp plays with contrasts. It is inspired by punk culture and calm Scandinavian mood. It is a voluminous piece, with warm light that is focused into a small pointy area under the piece. The Spike lamp has a aggressive appearance because of the metal spikes pointing towards the viewer. At the same time there is something calm about the smoothness of the ceramic surface and warm light. The lamp creates tension in a interior. Like an individual from a subculture.

The object is made in a two sided plaster mold by JP Studiokeramiikka. The outer surface of the ceramic object is spray glazed. The light is a dimmable LED. The diameter of the ceramic part is 350 mm x 320 mm. With the spikes the diameter of the lamp is 450 mm x 370 mm.

The Spike lamp has a aggressive appearance because of the metal spikes pointing towards the viewer. At the same time there is something calm about the smoothness of the ceramic surface and warm light. The lamp creates tension in a interior.

A’ Art Design Award aims to highlight the excellent qualifications of best art designs and greatest art design concepts worldwide. The A’ Design Accolades are organized and awarded annually and internationally in multiple categories to reach a wide, design-oriented audience. The ultimate aim of the A’ art Design Competition is to create a global awareness for good design.

01/01/202012/03/2021

1000 Vases exhibition in Dubai Design District

1000 Vases exhibition in Dubai was a cascade of design. Thousand vases at the modernistic atrium space all had their clever details, contemporary twists and interesting use of mediums. Being invited to the international design event was one of the highlights of my spring time.

My green Rainforest glass vases were premiered in the exhibition. Despite so many vases in the show, the set up was fresh and elegant. Each and every one of the objects had their place to shine. Picture @nateleecocks

I really enjoyed the opening day. Meeting all the artists and designers was inspiring – let alone the great exhibition team that worked miracles helping with all the last minute hustle. Picture @nateleecocks

The technique used in the green Rainforest vases is steam stick. It’s one of the iconic techniques from the golden era of Finnish glass design. I enjoyed seeing the vases side by side and contrasting with modern Tube vases by Fabio Meliota. Picture @nateleecocks

The 1000 Vases exhibition was also honored to welcome the Sheikh of Bahrain. The Abu Dhabi TV also visited the show. Picture credit 1000 Vases.

All the guests got fresh hyacinth flowers to take home. Such a lovely idea!

Flowers were also a important part of the set up. After all: vase and a flower have a long history together. Though many of the exhibition pieces can also be seen as sculptures, there is always the throwback of usable object when we look at a vase.

The venue was located in Dubai Design District. The area is full of galleries, design folks and creative companies. The 1000 Vases exhibition was created in collaboration with Meet My Project and TAM. Picture @nateleecocks

Art Dubai 2019 presented more than 90 galleries from 40 different countries. Contemporary, Modern, Residents as well as the inaugural edition of Bawwaba. It was great to meet so many interesting connections for the future collaborations. Picture credit Päivi Lavikainen

The most inspirational location was the town of Al Madam, the ‘*Buried Village*‘ lost in sand.

31/07/201926/08/2020

Golden Design Award from A’Design Award

Jungle Glass Vase is Golden Design Award winner in 2018 – 2019 Furniture, Decorative Items and Homeware Design Award Category in the international A’Design Award in Italy.

A’ Design Award and Competition is the worlds’ largest design competition awarding best designs, design concepts and products & services. The motto of the A’ Design Awards is “Ars Futura Cultura” i.e. Arts Cultivate the Future, Arts for the Culture of Future. The future is shaped by arts, design and technology, thus there is need of good design for a better future.

Inspired by nature, the premise of the Jungle glass collection is to create objects that gain their value from the quality, design and material. Simple shapes reflect the serenity of the medium, while being weightless and strong at the same time. Vases are mouth-blown and shaped by hand, signed and numbered. The rhythm of the glass making process ensures that each object in the Jungle Collection has a unique colour play that mimics the movement of waves.

In a world where there are millions of products and designs launch each year, the award was born out of the desire to underline the best designs and well designed products. The award-winning products and designs are highlighted to the international public via the A’ Design Award Gala-Night and Exhibition in Italy and they are communicated to all relevant press across the world.

09/03/201816/03/2018

Bukowskis auction

The Helsinki Today auction opens today at Bukowskis Finland! The auction is the only one of its kind in Finland and presents the very best of Nordic contemporary art and design. It’s possible to bid also online until 19 March! I’m so happy to be part of this wonderful contemporary art exhibition with a collection of glass pieces from past years!

Here are some pieces from the auction that are especially dear to me. By clicking the images you can also visit the auction pages.