Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Berger.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began blowing glass when I was 15 years old. I then went on to study fine art at RISD – primarily sculpture and glass blowing – and then continued my studies at Columbia University’s School of Architecture. My professional journey has been quite varied. Right out of school, I worked in Dale Chihuly’s studio and in Frank Gehry’s office, as well as working on several Hollywood films and videos. In 1995 I started my own design firm and began creating glass lighting and objects.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The creative process is never really smooth, so certainly there have been bumps in the road both creatively and business-wise, but I wouldn’t do it any differently. I have learned that every challenge presents new opportunities and I think that’s the reason why after all these years I’m also very passionate about the work.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Alison Berger Glassworks – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have been captivated by the glass as a material and light as a medium for as long as I can remember. My entire business is based on the combination of an artist’s passion and creativity with a scientist’s curiosity. My creation process uses age-old techniques (hand blowing, hand etching) to create modern objects derived from historic forms that have been stripped down to their essence. My goal is to create modern-day heirlooms – things that people will collect in future generations.
I pull inspiration from myriad influences and eras – fourth-century Roman glass, baroque floral still lives, old scientific instruments, and flea-market finds – to create an ever-evolving body of work that includes objects, furnishings, lighting, site-specific sculptures and architectural installations – all of which contain, capture, reflect and refract light. My work includes several, limited-edition lines of glass objects, lighting and furniture that bridge her architectural and sculptural sensibilities, as well as ongoing large-scale, site-specific commissions. In addition to the lines I produce under my name, I was the first American artist to create a line of accessories for the venerable French fashion house, Hermès. My work is part of the permanent collection of the Corning Museum and has been shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 2006, I was selected to exhibit as part of Design Life Now, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum’s National Design Triennial, and, in 2010, I was invited to participate in the Visiting Artist Program at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. And, in October 2016, Rizzoli published a major retrospective of my career, entitled Alison Berger: Glass and Light.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like is the beauty and natural diversity of the city from the beach to the mountains. The ideal day would start with hiking in the morning and end with a walk along the beach and dinner overlooking the ocean. LA has a great resource of vendors and fabricators; this is a city with a great history of “makers” and I find that inspiring. I also love that it’s an extremely dog-friendly town!
What I don’t like is…Traffic!!! It’s terrible! This doesn’t keep me from doing things it just makes me more strategic when it comes to planning my day. And thank God for podcasts!
Contact Info:
- Address: Alison Berger Glassworks Inc.
1235 N. Sweetzer Ave
Studio E2
West Hollywood, CA 90069 - Website: www.alisonbergerglassworks.com
- Phone: 323.650.5212
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonbergerglassworks/
Image Credit:
Alison Berger Glassworks
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