In 1986 when most Greeks have been at loose ends with the word recycling, Andreas Tzompanakis (see fig. left) opened his factory in his native village Kokkino Chorio and began to establish the first works of art from glass he collected (see fig. right). Many years have been passed since. The kiln from the early days is now decorative integrated in the shop, and been replaced by a larger, more modern oven.
If the work is succeeded it will be removed from the glass making pipe and slowly cooled by a temperature from 800 0 C to 1500 C over several hours. Only the subsequent quality control will show whether the artwork is spotless.
While blowing the glowing sum receives its first form, he colour scheme is affected by application of various substances, whose composition is the well kept secret of the artist, and the final shape results in a change of heat, air and skill, always under the probing gaze of the glassblower who know exactly how and when something is possible with the glass melt - as for example the emergence of a flat lampshade as shown with the below pictures.
Every day (except Monday) the glassblowers can be seen at their work between of 8 am and 3 pm. The glass is first melted at the top of the glass making pipe at a temperature 1400-1500 degrees Celsius and then brought in form at 1200 degrees Celsius. There is much experience needed to see the right temperature of the glass and then to handle it correctly.
But the two glass-blowers of Andreas Tzompanakis are a well trained team. They understand each other without words; in their quiet, accurate movements they are akin to dancers, while in the heat of the kiln a unique work of glass art accrues bit by bit. In this place the magic of unique born in the fire is noticeable. The colors of the island of Crete are reflected in them.
Kokino Horio, Apokoronas, Hania, Crete Hellas (GR) Tel. +30 28250-31194 email: info@blownglass.gr
Έργα τέχνης φτιαγμένα από φυσητό γυαλί