NINA JOHANNA CHRISTENSEN
In her work, Nina searches for simplicity and rawness. She is inspired by different parts of the physical work process of the craft of glassblowing, for example the movement when she spins the hot glass on the barrel, and the movement of the glass when it is hot and liquid.
Right now, she is working on a project where she wants to describe the passage of time using water and clear glass. In terms of form, she has started from the sphere, which here must stand for a kind of zero point. Thoughts have revolved around the vacuum that can arise after an intense period.
Skåne's water is very calcareous and it leaves unwanted deposits on glass. Nina has immersed herself in the patterns that occur when the water evaporates and tried to preserve and enhance them and give them a new role and value.
At the Form/Design Center, Nina shows parts of her ongoing project as well as her utility series "A Material in Motion". The vase "Grow" is highlighted as the product of the month in December 2021, where Nina talks about the inspiration behind:
"Whether you're blowing a large sculpture or a small vase, you always start with a small, simple bubble. This inspired me for the Grow vase.
An extra layer of the warm, liquid glass mass is spun on and gives the vase the opportunity to grow larger. Traces of this movement may remain and give the vase its character."
See Nina's products in the online store here ››
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Where are you born?
Malmö
How old are you?
36
Where do you live?
Nora
What are you doing?
Glassblower and Designer
Favorite place?
The glass cabin at Bröstorpsgård outside Nora where I have been staying since November 2020
Favorite material?
Hot liquid glass
Favorite designer?
Maj-Britt Zelmer Olsen, Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert, Normal Object Factory, Tillie Burden, Maria Bang Espersen
Favorite color?
Flamingo K 063 A, Kugler Colors
what inspires you?
Much of my inspiration comes from different parts of the physical work process of the craft of glassblowing. For example. the movement when I spin the hot glass on the barrel, the movement of the glass when it is hot and liquid and the patterns that arise from the cooling when shaping the glass on an iron ink.
Your vision/business idea?
Perhaps by leaving clear traces in my products of the physical processes surrounding the craft, I can tell the story of how they came to be. The prerequisites for being able to blow glass at all, the tools and ovens required are not something I take for granted. I want to make beautiful objects in glass and at the same time pass on the history of this ancient craft.
Biggest mistake?
It takes longer to transform a paper sketch or project idea into a finished product than you might think. The process, which is about the craft itself and the conditions of the material, must be allowed to take some time, in order to achieve the best results. How do I divide the glass mass in the best way? How long, how much and where should I cool or heat the glass so that the air gets where I want?
Dream project?
I want to gather and invite my glass friends and colleagues from school days on Bornholm, who are now spread across Europe, to the glass cabin in Nora. Get to work together for a week to share ideas and techniques with each other and end with a great party.
The next project?
Build a warm-up furnace for the workshop, so we can start blowing larger projects.