Concept
“Memories can take you through time, to any moment or feeling, such as when you touch something or see the sea. When I combine these and put them into my work, it becomes unique to me. And the past also becomes a tool for us to imagine the future.”
The emergence of past memories, the call of future memories, and the moment of being touched have all become inspirational clues for the work to inherit memories and reflect the present. Psychologists call these sensory moments similar to déjà vu involuntary memories (Proustian moments). These moments have personal randomness and are being reassembled through the glass.
photo credit: Chen Shengzong (Anchang)
Story
Classical excellent craftsmanship, techniques and styles, the knowledge and spirit of the predecessors, geographical industries, the changing of solar terms..., small surprises burst out everywhere in daily life to impact the five senses, and these impacts contain wisdom that exceeds one's lifetime.
In the process of capturing these experiences, I realized the joy of life. At the same time, I also thought about how to use design techniques to learn and translate these experiences, integrate knowledge resources that I vaguely understand, and evolve through craftsmanship between understanding and misunderstanding, to create works that seem familiar but are refreshing.
By combining the traditional spirit of craftsmanship with modern design through product production, we can integrate the memories passed down from generation to generation into the objects, and even bring the memories to distant places. Naturally, the path of traditional culture will become wider and wider, and this is my expectation.
photo credit: Chen Shengzong (Anchang)
History
The former natural gas and silica sand mining area gave birth to Hsinchu's glass industry. In its heyday, there were 40 to 50 factories gathered here. The huge demand for OEM exports drove the economic takeoff. It is said that one factory had to fill two containers a week. Due to the relocation of industries, domestic kiln factories are now almost shut down, and a few have transformed into tourist factories or personal workshops.
The establishment of technology began during the Japanese colonial era, when Japanese investors came to Taiwan and introduced related technologies. In the early days, they manufactured thousands of glass lampshades and Christmas accessories. Many Japanese gestures and finger marks can be seen in the techniques, which were integrated with the techniques learned from communicating with European and American glassmakers. A variety of artworks were developed based on hand-blown and thermal sculptures.
The current workshop is still staffed by a master craftsman in his 70s who prepares the ingredients every day and provides 700 pounds of glass crucibles for use the next day. The master crafts each piece by hand, and each piece has a lot of manual traces. Depending on the person who made it, some lines are unrestrained, some are delicate, and the changing expressions are one of the charms of handmade works.
*For those who are interested in the background of Hsinchu glass, please refer to Director Hong Huiguan’s book "Shining Days: The History of Glass Craft Development in Hsinchu"
Chien-Chih,Chen
Hsinchu Glass Workers
Born in Nantou in 1994, after graduating from the Department of Product Design at Ming Chuan University, he immediately studied under Mr. Lin Yaonong , the cultural heritage preserver of Hsinchu City, and has been learning art ever since. Personal creations are often inspired by memories of growing up, incorporating life experiences such as factory culture, production history, master conversations, wetlands, moats, temples, and gardens. Fermentation in the dual aspects of things presents the time tension between classic and modern, the sense of distance between the masses and the niche, and the contextual differences between the international and the local. Using glass as the main medium, integrating the expression techniques of traditional crafts, it reflects the fun of civilization evolution.
Awards
2024 Taiwan Hsinchu "Dream of Craftsmanship-National Cultural and Creative Crafts Competition" Judges Special Award
2023 Gold Award of "Dream of Craftsmanship-National Cultural and Creative Crafts Competition" in Hsinchu, Taiwan
2022 Taiwan Taipei "Golden Dot Design Award" finalist
2020 Taiwan Taitung "Taitung Craft Award" shortlisted
2020 Taiwan Hsinchu "Golden Glass Award" Newcomer Award
Exhibition
2025.04 Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum Joint Exhibition "Glass in Adagio"
2025.04 Hsinchu Hsinchu Living Aesthetics Museum Joint Exhibition "Craft Procession-Wind Movement-Hsinchu"
2025.04 Taipei Zhimei Shiguang solo exhibition "Spring Equinox"
2025.02 Taipei Jiuwu solo exhibition "Garden"
2025.01 Nantou Craft Center Joint Exhibition "Taiwan Green Craft Certification Tour Exhibition-Daily Craft"
2024.12 Taipei Heshi Solo Exhibition "Glassblowing Craftsman Chen Jianzhi Solo Exhibition"
2024.12 Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Joint Exhibition "Taiwan Green Craft Certification Tour Exhibition-Craft Dream"
2024.11 Kaohsiung Wuwu Studio solo exhibition "Five Flavors - Chen Jianzhi Glass Creation Exhibition"
2024.11 Taipei Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Joint Exhibition "Taiwan Green Craft Certification Tour Exhibition-Craft Dream"
2024.10 Hsinchu or Craft Showcase Joint Exhibition "Taiwan Green Craft Certification Tour Exhibition-Live with the Craftsmen"
2024.10 Taichung Far Eastern Department Store Joint Exhibition "Taiwan Green Craft Certification Tour Exhibition-Living with Craftsmen"
2024.08 Taipei Yiyu Joint Exhibition "be water"
2024.08 Taipei Can Space Joint Exhibition "Flower Blooming Story Flower Container Joint Exhibition"
2024.07 Hsinchu Ori Craft Showcase Joint Exhibition "Ori Craft Showcase Fifth Anniversary Special Exhibition - Resilience"
2024.07 Taipei Jiuwu solo exhibition "Glass Craft Pop Up Shop"
2024.06 Hsinchu or Craft Window Solo Exhibition "Chen Jianzhi Mini Wineware Exhibition"
2024.05 Taipei Andersen Art Auction Solo Exhibition "Glorious Lights - Artistic Sulfur Glass Wine Vessel Exhibition"
2024.04 Taipei Zhimei Shiguang solo exhibition "Chen Jianzhi Glass Creation Exhibition"
2024.03 Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum Joint Exhibition "Time Glass Shadow-Teacher and Student Joint Exhibition"
2024.03 Yilan Xiaohuajing Coffee Solo Exhibition "Small Light Exhibition"
2023.12 Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum Joint Exhibition "How Ripe is Glass - Contemporary International Art Exhibition"
2023.12 Hsinchu Beipu Zhongshu Hall Joint Exhibition "100 Possibilities of Ancient Monuments - New Art Exhibition"
2023.11 Hsinchu or Craft Window Joint Exhibition "Incense Companion-Incense Prop Joint Exhibition"
2023.10 Taipei Zhimei Shiguang solo exhibition "Plum Vase Exhibition"
2023.10 Taipei Songshan Cultural and Creative Park Joint Exhibition "Songyan Market-"Future Forefront""
2023.09 Hsinchu Hsinchu County Cultural Affairs Bureau Library Joint Exhibition "Drifting, We Seek Our Roots"
2023.07 Solo exhibition "Blue Day Blowing-Glassware Exhibition" at Cheng Yih Hotel, Kaohsiung
2023.07 Hsinchu Craft Window Joint Exhibition "Liquid Dream-The Outline of Fragrance"
2023.04 Hsinchu Zhubei University Far Eastern Department Store "Teachers and Students Joint Exhibition"
2023.04 Taipei Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Joint Exhibition "The Past and Present, a Passing Cloud - Contemporary Art, Ancient Artifacts"
2023.03 Taipei Jiuwu Plum Vase Exhibition
2023.03 Taipei Minimalist Handicraft Exhibition
2023.01 Nantou Taihua Kiln Sun Moon Lake Pier Museum "Master-Apprentice Joint Exhibition"
2022.12 Teachers and Students Joint Exhibition at Far Eastern Department Store, Hsinchu
2022.12 Taipei Songyan Good Home in Taiwan (Simplified Handmade) "Taiwanese Romance"
2022.10 Taichung Indian Coffee "Traces of White"
2022.10 Taipei 2022 Songyan Style Craftsman Market "Quality-based"
2022.09 Hsinchu Glass Art Festival "Transparent Encyclopedia"
2022.09 Hsinchu Yuanpei University of Science and Technology Teachers and Students Exhibition "Glass Art Under Firelight"
2022.08 National Center for Traditional Arts, Yilan "Tea Ceremony 2 Special Exhibition"
2022.08 Kaohsiung Taiwan Cultural Expo "Rock Creation"
2022.08 Hsinchu State Library 《管－From Here To Anywhere》
2022.08 Miaoli Craft Center "Inheriting the Flame of Glass Crafts Exhibition"
2022.06 Taichung Nuannuan Private House "Summer. Fog Exclusive Sales Exhibition"
2022.06 Taichung Far Eastern Department Store "Master-Apprentice Joint Exhibition"
2022.04 National Center for Traditional Arts, Yilan "Tea Festival Special Exhibition"
2022.03 Taichung Xifengxiang "Daily Lacquer Consciousness Cross-disciplinary Media Lacquerware Creation Exhibition"
2021.12 Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum "Glass Art Association Joint Exhibition"
2021.09 Taipei Zhan Tang Shi Guang "Summer, Clear Soda Glass Joint Exhibition"
2021.04 Taipei Taiwan Cultural Expo "Rock Creation"
2020.09 Taitung Art Museum "Taitung International Craft Design Award and Exhibition"
2020.08 Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum "Hsinchu City Golden Glass Award-Transparent Posture"
Collection
2023 Hsinchu City Cultural Affairs Bureau-Black Plum Vase
2023 Hsinchu County Cultural Foundation-Big Tree Millet Wine Glass
2023 Hsinchu County Cultural Affairs Bureau Library-Wu Zhuoliu Series Exhibits
photo credit : blu
FAQ
How to customize products?
Please refer to the customization page: click link
Is glass heat resistant?
The soda-lime glass used in the workshop is designed for cold water use and can generally withstand temperatures of about 60-75°C. If you need to hold hot water, it is recommended to start with warm water to prevent the glass from cracking due to sudden temperature changes.
Can glass bottles be sterilized with boiling water?
- Do not pour boiling water on glass or sterilize it with boiling water, as this may cause the glass to break.
- Wash the bottle with warm or cold water, place it face down on a clean cloth and wipe dry before use.
- If you are worried, you can soak a rag with more than 70% edible alcohol, wipe the inside, and let it dry naturally before use.
What should I do if there are stubborn stains on the glass?
- Fill a half-full of warm water, a small amount of mild detergent, two tablespoons of white vinegar or ammonia, and one cup of uncooked rice. Swirl the rice for a few minutes to remove any residue. Rinse well with warm water and place upside down on a rack to air dry.
- If stains persist, fill a container with warm water and place denture cleaning tablets in it and let sit until the stain disappears.
Can the glass be repaired if it is accidentally hit?
- Once broken, glass cannot be repaired to like-new condition.
- If you have the misfortune of cracking the edge of the work, you can send it back for repair if it is small. The crack will be removed as appropriate. Please note that the work will be deformed and white scratches will be left after the crack is removed. If the work has cracks other than the crack, it may not be repairable.
- It is not recommended to glue the broken parts together in any way.
- Please note that broken glass cannot be guaranteed to be safe for continued use, and repairs may fail and result in more serious damage.
How to purchase the works?
Currently, the works can be purchased through physical channels or during exhibitions.
What’s the difference between glass, colored glaze and crystal?
- Glass, in our workshop we use soda-lime glass, which is suitable for hand-blowing and thermoforming due to its high degree of freedom in shaping.
- Crystal generally refers to natural minerals or artificial crystals, and artificial crystals are also a type of glass.
- Colored glaze generally refers to leaded cast glass. Due to the high light transmittance of leaded glass, colored glaze is particularly crystal clear.
Why does glass appear yellowish or bluish?
The glass in the workshop is made of a certain proportion of recycled environmentally friendly glass, so there may be iron-containing glass that is greener and cobalt-containing glass that is bluer. Using recycled glass does not help reduce production costs, but it is more helpful to reduce the impact on the environment.
Why are there bubbles in glass?
Bubbles may be intentionally created during the shaping process, or the raw materials themselves may contain bubbles. Both are normal and do not affect the quality.
How to place glass to avoid breaking?
Especially for those who have children at home or live in areas with frequent earthquakes, it is recommended that you place the work in a stable place where children cannot reach it, and use all-purpose clay, transparent acrylic tape, and anti-collision particles to lightly fix the bottom.
Are there any glass courses?
There are currently no relevant courses offered.
Can I order a piece that is currently out of stock?
Out-of-stock items usually take 4 to 6 weeks to produce.