The National Technical Museum's latest exhibit pays tribute to Czech glass

All forms of contemporary Czech glass, ceramics, and porcelain can be seen at the National Technical Museum’s (NTM) exhibition "Hot Hot Hot: Glass, Ceramics and Porcelain from A to Z," which runs to Oct. 2, 2022.

The United Nations has declared 2022 to be the International Year of Glass, and it is also the 30th anniversary of the Association of the Czech Glass and Ceramic Industry. The exhibition brings together artistic and technical items to show the wide range of production.

NTM director Karel Ksandr said glass, ceramic, and porcelain production has a long tradition in the Czech Republic and is still very successful.

“The production of ceramics and glass on our territory has an ancient tradition dating back several centuries. The production of porcelain in this country began only at the end of the 18th century. Yet all three areas represented in the exhibition are quite comparable in their high quality and exceptional artistic representation over the last 30 years,” he added.

Petr Mazzolini, president of the Association of the Glass and Ceramic Industry (ASKP ČR), said the aim was to show visitors, especially the general public, the current state of the Czech glass and ceramics industry, with modern products that meet design trends, are growing functional requirements, and are also environmentally friendly.

“With this step, we want to bring them back into the light from their daily anonymity, so that each of us can remember what glass, ceramics, and porcelain bring to our everyday lives. How much we would miss them if they did not exist,” Mazzolini said.

For the first time since 1989, the exhibition jointly presents Czech manufacturers of packaging, technical, utility and lighting glass, jewelry, glass and mineral fibers, utility porcelain, utility and sanitary ceramics, as well as the work of vocational schools and artists, and products from suppliers of raw materials and technologies.

The exhibition features nearly 500 exhibits from over 70 members and partner organizations of the Czech Glass Society and the Union of Glass and Fashion Jewellery Producers.

As part of the accompanying program, May 1 is the Day of Glassmakers and Ceramists. Visitors will see demonstrations of the work of masters of the field, presentations and sales of products, or try their skills in workshops.

Since 1959, the United Nations General Assembly has designated specific years for acknowledging fields of international endeavor and the importance of their contributions to global society. The UN in May 2021 decided that 2022 would be set aside for a United Nations International Year of Glass (IYOG) to underline its scientific, economic, and cultural roles and celebrate several anniversaries.

“Glass supports many vital technologies, facilitates sustainability and a green world, and enriches our lives, yet often goes unnoticed,” Alicia Durán, president of the International Commission on Glass (ICG) and chair of IYOG2022, said when the year was officially announced.  

For more information visit the National Technical Museum website.