Spiral

Sometimes one feels the need to look back, return to the beginning, and map out the path taken so far. I was motivated to re-evaluate my glass journey to date by returning to one of its fundamental symbols. The spiral played an essential role in the early days of my work, and its energy, grace and mysticism continue to inspire me to this day. My first flirtation with this magical shape dates back to the period when I was co-creator of the Blaschk brothers' glass botanical model demonstration workshop at The Corning Museum of Glass in the USA. I was responsible for operating the historic foot-operated bellows furnace on which these brilliant glassmakers created their otherworldly works. I spent only a short time at the museum, but the consequences were fatal. Infection with the creative genius loci acted as the perfect trigger for my pent-up creativity, which at that time I had mainly directed towards my beloved offspring. The challenge to send samples of my work to the museum shop was so motivating that I dusted off my burner corner and set to work, despite the time and fatigue.

That's how my first collection of original jewelry and decorations came into being, featuring, among other things, the aforementioned spiral. With trembling hands, I carefully packed the entire collection, sent it off at great expense from my meager maternity allowance, and eagerly awaited the response. After several weeks of silence, I couldn't wait any longer and timidly wrote to the person who had motivated me to create and send the collection, only to find out that this person no longer worked at the museum and therefore, unfortunately, could not help me. To this day, I don't know if the package didn't arrive or if no one bothered to at least tell me not to bother them next time because they weren't interested. But that's life... I didn't expand into the American market at the time, but I don't regret the energy I invested at all. Without such intense motivation, I would never have gotten out of my apron.

I have melted dozens, perhaps even hundreds of kilograms of glass since I first tentatively stepped onto the wobbly free leg of a glass artist at the age of twenty, and variations on the spiral theme have intertwined throughout my work to date. The newly launched collection, aptly named SPIRAL, fatally connects the distant past with the burning present. The collection concludes almost thirty years of creative work and opens up a whole new creative direction for me. The spiral, and the collection based on it, thus symbolically becomes a kind of milestone in my glass work. I have never felt the need to shock with my work. Beauty, harmony, and the joy that springs from them have always been closer to my heart. With the passage of time and the experience I have gained, I have come to understand that the ability to create beauty is a gift, my gift. Beauty has the magical power to touch the soul and bring joy. And joy is the food of the universe.

Memories of my early work come flooding back, work that had the necessary perspective, enthusiasm, and energy. Back then, I was free and unattached, producing commercial goods to make a living; that was my "going to work." I was fast and didn't need much to live on, so I had plenty of time left over for my work, which was uncompromising at the time. I completely forgot about it over time. All that remained was going to work. How did that happen? I completely subordinated myself to my family, numbed my emotions and desires, and eventually resigned myself to it. I felt lonely and was unable to stand up for myself against the grind of everyday life. It's no one's fault, it just happened that way. I am grateful for the realization that it doesn't have to be that way!

This year, I completed my master's degree in glass design. The circle is complete. At almost fifty years of age, I was able to finish studying a field that is so intrinsic to me, even though it took me nearly three decades to truly find my way to it. It's never too late. Wandering along a spiral is an apt metaphor for my current existence. I cyclically pass the past, but I never return to the same point; I am always further, higher, closer to the center or the top. The symbol of the spiral started my journey in glass jewelry making, and to this day it remains a great inspiration to which I like to return. Just as symbolically, these days I am returning to my glassmaking as such. The time has finally come when I can devote myself fully to glass and its magical reflections in my existence. I am taking advantage of these cybernetic distances and cordially invite you to participate in my glass journey through life. I would be very happy if you found the time to check in from time to time to see what's new with us...

© Kamila Parsi 2025