Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Orrefors, Målerås and Skruf - Part 1

Today, instuctor Ole Victor took our class on a field trip to the glass factories in Orrefors, Målerås and Skruf.

First stop, the village of Orrefors (population 700).  Orrefors Glasbruk was founded in 1898, at a site where an iron factory had been operating since 1726.  Orrefors is distinguished by timeless design and a classic design style with simple and clear lines.  Orrefors started its production of crystal in 1914.  And in 1916 and 1917 the Orrefors glasshouse hired the painters Simon Gate and Edvard Hald, respectively, to become the first artists engaged directly in glass design. One of their innovations was Graal glass.  They were later joined by other artists such as Vicke Lindstrand and Edvin Öhrstrom, who were the developers of Ariel glass.
We got to wear really cool, reflective vests!
This is the machine operated 1/2 of the factory, which we weren't allowed to photo (oops)..due to fear of spies...or something...
This is the other 1/2 of the factory and home of The National School of Glass (They rent a small corner of the factory)
Other than the 3 machines operating, and a few students working, nothing was going on in the factory.  Production here has slowed down a lot and the factory was sitting fairly idle.  It was sad.

Lap wheel; sitting unused
Automated coldworking

 Following the factory tour, we visited the Museum.
Glass bar
Exhibition by Ingegerd Råman for Orrefors





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