“People in focus”
When you think of glass art, you might think of the island of Murano near Venice, but it can also be found in Lower Austria. In Weigelsdorf (district of Baden), Peter Kuchler creates world-renowned works of art that will soon be on display at the “At the park” art fair in Vienna.
01/14/2024 5:19 pm
Online since today, 5:19 pm
The heat in Peter Kuchler's workshop is extreme. But this is not surprising, because two furnaces are heated to melt the glass. Together with a colleague, the 32-year-old creates works of art that weigh up to 25 kilograms and require several hours of intense, sweaty work to complete.
According to Kuchler, it takes strength, on the one hand, and creativity, on the other, to create these special pieces, whose patterns and structures are embedded in ever new layers of glass. “I don’t need a gym and I just need the sauna to cool off,” smiles the two-meter-tall, 110-kilogram glassblower.
Much international recognition
Kuchler comes from a dynasty of glass entrepreneurs in the town of Weigelsdorf and, according to the third generation, calls himself Peter Kuchler the Third. However, what began as a traditional glassmaking workshop – which still exists today – has become an art form that is causing controversy internationally.
“I learned from glass artists in the Czech Republic, Italy, America and Sweden. I chose the best techniques and developed my own at the same time. I've been tinkering with this for years and I'm still learning. “I want time to stop when you look at the sculptures and get lost in the patterns as you look at them,” says the 32-year-old.
Photo series with 7 photos
The artworks largely resemble structured round murals or huge flames, which – lit from within – create an intoxicating play of colors. The renowned North American business magazine “Forbes” classified Peter Kuchler as “the most exciting artist in Germany, Austria and Switzerland”.
Kuchler is happy with the international recognition: “I believe I have developed a very special style that does not exist anywhere else in the world and that is why I have received inquiries from exhibitions and galleries in America, Australia and even European countries.” the next stop is a solo exhibition at the Vienna art fair “At the park” from February 22nd to 25th at the Hotel Park Hyatt in Vienna.
Robert Salzer, noe.ORF.at