Jochen Holz
Jochen Holz is an applied artist and glassblower living and working in the UK. His work ranges from free formed glassware to bespoke objects and lighting projects. By navigating the possibilities and restrictions of the technique and material, the design of his wine glasses explores how far a traditional wine glass shape can be altered and ‘off centred’.
If you had access to all the powers, how would you improve the world?
I would make everybody laugh at the same time, for about two hours, really hard.
What are the biggest sustainability challenges in your work and how are you addressing them?
I am using gas and oxygen to melt the glass, there is unfortunately not a greener option. Unless I would stop glass blowing. I stopped using bubblewrap wherever possible and pack most things entirely in paper and cardboard. My partner is using my waste glass in her ceramics and we are very happy about this way of upcycling.
Which conscious lifestyle choices are you making? And are you considering any new ones?
I believe using my spending power as a consumer as much as possible for things I believe in. So local organic food, good brands, cycling, little meat, little flying,
What have you rebelled against in the past, and what are you rebelling against now?
I try to stay clear of small minded, limited thinking and self-centered narcissism, so I rebel in a sense to anything that is too noisy, vane, brash, conventional or consumerist. I am not quite the character to be a good rebel, so I silently stay away from attitudes I don’t like. In terms of my practice as a glassblower it means that I don’t mix a lot with other glass artists/makers, because I experience the glass world often as claustrophobic and aesthetically limiting.
Do you think glassware can still be improved? If yes, in what way?
Of course any practice can be improved and craft as something by definition hand made and imperfect demands constant attention and lifelong learning in my view.
What was the inspiration for your Steinbeisser pieces?
I believe it is important to be conscious of your surroundings and the things you interact with. Objects which are unique and individual demand attention and invite the user to engage. I like when haptic qualities come into this as well. So I made the glasses very wobbly and off centred, which is best experienced when handling one.
Describe your work in 3 words!
Turning hot liquid.
What kind of materials do you use and where do you get them from?
Prefabricated borosilicate glass tubing which I buy in different sizes, wall thicknesses, profiles and colours.
What has been your favorite dinner experience?
Every time the food is cooked with attention and love.
What excites you about tomorrow?
Nice food, working on my projects, practising yoga.
Which are your 3 favorite pieces on Jouw…?
I like a lot of it but the gesture of the Spoons by Stian Korntved Ruud is a favourite, also the Foraged Clay Plates by Jessica Hans are beautiful and understated, and I also love the Clown Bowls by Nick Weddell.