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Human Nature by Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert

V&A Project

13 — 21 Sept 2014

Craft, Materials

Victoria & Albert Museum

Cromwell Road

London

SW7 2RL

In 2014, the entrance to the V&A’s Glass Galleries was transformed by a site-specific work created by the Paris-based designer, Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert.

During a visit to Glashütte Lamberts in Waldsassen, Germany – one of the oldest mouth-blown glass factories in the world – Wintrebert was struck by the piles of freshly made glass cylinders, waiting to be flattened out to create panes of glass. Taking inspiration from the Art Nouveau movement’s attempts to “bring the beauty of nature back into our lives” and working in close collaboration with leading glass specialist Vessel Gallery and supporters Perrier-Jouët, Wintrebert’s installation played with the balance of light and form, as well as the paradoxical strength and fragility of glass. “Every cylinder is hand-blown and therefore unique,” he said. “By stopping the process before it becomes a window and displaying it in our lives, I am saying that something totally handmade and extremely simple can enhance beauty in our lives and therefore enhance our experiences in a positive way. This seems so important.” Supported by Perrier-Jouet.