It all began with a single piece of glass.
It's as if a flowing stream of water has been captured in that very moment.
The soft curves and melting colors possess a vibrant dynamism, as if they are about to flow at any moment, yet they also evoke a surprisingly serene tranquility.
Each time it catches the light, its expression changes, and whenever one glances at it, its beauty is so captivating that it makes one pause and gaze in wonder.
My first encounter was about three years ago. I discovered a rugged yet somehow soft block of glass at an interior shop I happened to drop into. Its presence captivated me, and I instinctively brought it home.
I realized its true beauty when it was bathed in the strong evening sun by my window at home. The glass, adorned with light, was breathtakingly beautiful, and I clearly remember that moment when I became captivated by LAN's glasswork.
After that, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet LAN in person. As we talked, we discovered our mutual love for nature and immediately hit it off. Now, we even go hiking in the mountains together.
Just the other day, we went to Yatsugatake, where the fresh greenery was stunning. As we slowly walked along the mountain path, LAN shared various stories with me, including insights into glassmaking, the thoughts she pours into her creations, and the path she has followed so far.
Listening to the beginning, step by step
It has been about seven years since LAN started creating glass art.
She initially started making small accessories with a burner while working her previous job, and then, after learning glass blowing (blow work), her expression expanded to tools used in daily life, such as incense holders and single-flower vases.
"I feel that the sense of color creation and combination I cultivated in my previous job is also being utilized in my current work," LAN says.
LAN's works are characterized by their very chic and profound color schemes, where smoke gray and dark brown quietly blend together.
The colors gently melt into each other, creating a wavering gradation. Even the tiny air bubbles trapped within the transparent glass sparkle like small particles when they catch the light, revealing new expressions with every glance.
Embracing accidental fluctuations as they are
Hot molten glass is a very delicate material, and its finished appearance can change significantly depending on temperature, time, and even the slightest pressure from the hand.
LAN says that when she first started creating, she focused on precisely expressing the shapes she envisioned. However, through her daily engagement with glass, her approach gradually changed.
"It often doesn't go as I expect, but precisely because of that difficulty, there are new discoveries and learnings, which makes continuing to create so interesting."
Now, she says, she cherishes the natural fluctuations created by the glass and the accidental expressions that emerge at different times, treating them as unique characteristics. Perhaps that is why LAN's works possess an understated beauty, as if they directly reflect the flow of nature.
Artistic presence and everyday functionality
"I hope that everyone who sees my work can feel something freely, and enjoy it by superimposing their own landscapes and memories."
What she values in creating her works is both artistic expression and the comfort of tools used in daily life. It's not one or the other, but rather that both naturally complement each other.
As I slowly walked along the mountain path, listening to her talk about her craft and delving into her philosophy, I became even more drawn to LAN's glasswork.
When I told her I wanted to acquire new pieces, LAN smiled and replied, "Of course." Several months later, an incense holder and a flower vase arrived at my home, crafted in colors that she felt represented me. The quiet beauty that captivated me three years ago when I first encountered LAN's work remains, but these new pieces feature more organic curves and an even richer layering of colors.
Unceasing Curiosity
LAN's exploration continues, never content to remain in her current state.
"Recently, I've been challenging myself to create works that incorporate new techniques, such as silver firing and sandblasting. In the future, I hope to tackle larger pieces and expand the expressive range unique to glass."
LAN spoke of the future in a calm tone. As a fan, I eagerly anticipate what kind of landscapes she will capture in glass next.
The daily expressions painted by light
LAN taught me the greatest charm of glass.
"It shows various expressions depending on how the light hits it and the angle from which it is viewed."
I now experience the meaning of those words repeatedly in my daily life.
When I place a flower vase by the window, where the soft morning light streams in, the green stems reflected through the glass and even their shadows are beautifully illuminated. When I light incense during a break from work, the gently rising smoke intertwines with the bubbles and colors within the glass, bringing a moment of tranquility.
Morning and evening. Sunny days and rainy days.
Each time the light shifts, the glass reveals a slightly different expression.
When the light changes, I encounter a new beauty from yesterday. Such small joys have added yet another dimension to my daily life.
