DESTIG Magazine - Interview with BOMMA GLASS - guardians of Czech glassmaking tradition.

The common feature for all of our products is a superior quality led-crystal from which both tableware and our lighting collections are made. 

Bomma is a manufactory - in glass terms, what is a manufactory?
The fact that BOMMA is a glass manufactory means that we are able to cover the whole process of both developing and producing lighting and tableware products. The Latin word manus means hand and yes - all BOMMA products are made by hand, to be fairly accurate often by mouth.

You make lighting but also tableware and decoration – what’s the unique Bomma factor found in all your products?
The common feature for all of our products is a superior quality led-crystal from which both tableware and our lighting collections are made. Our significant attribute is the robotic cutting that we invented ourselves. We can also guarantee that we produce every single product by hand, (as I mentioned above) which is a result of the priceless value of the traditional Czech glassmaking craftsmanship. Another important value that is present in our every collection is the unique approach to design. Thanks to the cooperation with contemporary designers and artist, we are able to be truly special and to be successful.
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The story of your brand starts like many of the best stories - from some misfortune and necessity?
Our story is actually kind of extraordinary, since our company first started with producing the glass-cutting sophisticated robots and after years began with designing the glass products when opening our own glass works. Bohemia Machine was established in 1992 as a producer of cutting technology (developing its own robots etc.) and since the company run successfully, its owner Jiří Trtík decided to re-open the local glass manufactory, which had not survived the glassmaking crisis and had perished. BOMMA, Bohemia Machine’s glassmaking division was introduced in 2012 and built Europe’s most modern production facility. It quickly became known for its precise cutting technology, exceptionally clear crystal, as well as oversized mouth-blown glass, retaining the highest quality. Since its very beginning BOMMA cherishes and combines the traditional know-how of glass-blowing together with the unique contemporary design.

What is unique about your crystal and what has been some of the main inspirations behind your new collection?
Our led-crystal is unique not only for its long-lasting quality but also for the exceptional clarity and brightness. At BOMMA, we concentrate on contemporary design. We always value simple shapes and minimalism but at the same time are open to new perspectives. A perfect example of our direction is the SHIBARI collection, which follows the idea of traditional Japanese method of tying-up with ropes. However Shibari is more than a technique of tying up objects with ropes. It represents a method of communication within a hidden system of lines and loops. The Japanese call it Kinbaku: The beauty of tight binding.

​The DISC collection follows the idea of the TIM pendant with its exceptionally large amount of mouth-blown crystal. However, this time the round shape is defined by a mold. With its minimalistic design, fine materials and details, it gives the impression of something elementary and close, at the same time something unknown, mysterious and unique. Combining crystal with metal, DISC resembles a real space lighting object.

The PHENOMENA Collection was inspired by simple shapes: A circle, triangle, rectangle and oval. The term phenomenon comes from the Greek word for ‘appearance’. The forms are what first attract you. In Plato’s idealist philosophy, phenomena are transient and likenesses of the eternal, perfect and so not truly real. This definition seems fitting for a collection produced in a material that is so difficult, yet versatile, so strong, and yet fragile as glass. The cut version of the Phenomena collection - PHENOMENA CUT -combines the tradition of mouth-blown Czech cut crystal with a contemporary and smart approach to design. The precise geometric pattern is made with a sophisticated robotic technology developed in-house - the signature know-how of Bomma.

You attended two of the major fairs recently: Salone del mobile and Maison objet - what were the experiences like?
Our experience with both of these fairs was exquisite. The visitors’ responses were great. The recent Milano fair was a huge success for us, since we got the opportunity to meet and talk to a lot of industry professionals that were amazed by our in-house technology as well as the design itself. Being a new rising brand, we are happy that thanks to these fairs we may present our designs and attract new customers and partners – it is usually love at first sight, so we simply have to give them the opportunity to see it for their own eyes.

In your recent photo shoot you went for a brutalist theme in the Czech embassy in Berlin - what’s the story behind that?
The Czech Embassy in Berlin was designed by Vladimír and Věra Machonin and built between 1970 and 1978 and is a prime example of the then Czechoslovak brutalist architectural style. Their immense contribution to the development of modern Czech architecture, glassmaking and lighting design now creates the background for BOMMA’s current production. Lighting design and production is inherently tied to the Czech glassmaking craft and its history. Since the 19th century, Czech glassmakers produced monumental glass chandeliers for worldwide markets. Yet BOMMA highlights the often-overlooked era of 1960’s and 70’s brutalist architecture and design. It’s a style that had reason to flourish in the West, yet forms an integral part of the Eastern European heritage, with many ultra-modern and monumental works created during this era. Bomma is convinced that the brutalist architecture with its significant aesthetics is still vividly reminding the legacy and cultural heritage of the Eastern Bloc and therefore goes perfectly with Bomma’s contemporary edgy designs.

You have assembled an electrifying mix of elite designers and young talent - what makes a designer the right partner for you?
For a designer it is vital which technology/ material the company disposes. Thus we are convinced, that our in-house technology and specific know-how of glass making is what appealed to the designers. And of course for us it is absolutely essential to cooperate with gifted designers who are approaching us with new ideas, perspectives and their unique mindsets. Developing and designing of every collection is an exciting journey for designers just like for us. Finding new options and techniques, defining new shapes and desired forms, while keeping in mind the function and core values...that is the real beauty of design.
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DESTIG is also about giving our readers reasons to visit places – tell us about Světlá nad Sázavou?
Světlá nad Sázavou is located in a beautiful natural area rich in forests and rivers. The city itself is nice and neat. Along with the glass factory, one can visit a local castle built during the baroque era or just enjoy the Czech small-town calm atmosphere. A part of our management, Sales department and Marketing team is based in Prague, which is also definitely a cool place to go...


www.bomma.cz
Credits – Bomma