Rony Plesl Studio
Plesl’s designs, relying on
traditional cutting methods and
produced mainly in small lots,
can be found in a handful of
small specialty shops, collec-
tives showcasing the work of
emerging and established
designers and artisans. Sister
stores Kubista and Futurista
present original and limited-
edition glass and porcelain
works, home accessories, furni-
ture, and jewelry. Kubista
focuses on handmade reproduc-
tions of ceramics from the 20th
century, primarily in the Cubist
style, an obvious influence on
many contemporary works that
incorporate the style’s bold,
geometric shapes and sharp
points. Both shops carry hand-
woven wool blankets from
young textile designer Katerina
Soukupovd, who works out of
her studio and small shop just
outside of the city center,
where she weaves her blankets,
tablecloths, bedspreads, and
other one-of-a-kind pieces on a
200-year-old loom. Playing with
color and subtle variations in
style, Soukupova offers con-
temporary interpretations of
traditional patterns.
In the same way, many of
the handmade glass pieces from
Studio Cave Canem entail a
staining technique developed in
the 19th century in the northern
part of the country by Bedrich
Egermann of the Egermann
company, which continues
today. But Cave Canem has
updated the old technique,
using different chemicals and
processes to create variations
on the classic red stain and mov-
ing away from traditional floral
patterns to a distinctive, mod-
ern aesthetic.
Studio LLEV, which works
across a variety of disciplines
- all revealing their earthy,
clean style - also has a multidis-
ciplinary production process.
“[Creating some pieces by
hand,] we have learned to handle
slate, steel, and wood,” says
Marcel Mochal, one of the two
designers who comprise LLEV.
“W e also cooperate with region-
al craftsmen, [including] carpen-
ters, locksmiths, metal painters,
glassblowers, and cutters.”
Not far from Kubista is the
shop of Studio Qubus, which
has attracted attention both
at home and abroad for its non-
traditional approach to tradi-
tional Czech materials, mainly
porcelain and glass. “On a path
from Communism to Consum-
erism,” reads a description on
the website for their second
shop in Prague’s D O X Centre
for Contemporary Arts; the
studio presents “a variety
of forms in new contexts,
Above: Woodturner
Antonin Hepnar has
been working in a mod-
ernist vein in pieces like
Sova
since the 1950s.
Above: Student glass-
work at the Academy of
Arts, Architecture, and
Design, a crucible for
many Czech artists.
Right: Studio Qubus’
porcelain Waterproof
Vase - Onion is a playful
take on traditional craft
motifs, as well as a com-
mentary on function.
Right:
René Sulc and
Daria Podboj
Howl- Object,
2007
American walnut
15.75
X
9.4 x 8.7 in.
Left:
Daniel Pirsc
Tureen from
Panathenai set, 2010
porcelain
Right:
Frantisek Vlzner
Mue Bowl,
1996
cobalt blue glass
4 in. x 11.5 dia.
070 american craft jun/juin
Sova
photo: Anna Rerdychovi/Panathenai photo: Kristina Hrabétovà /
Bowl
-
Object
photo: Petr KarSulin
