Northern Exposure

Some of the biggest names in glass are Scandinavian: Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Hadeland, and Boda Nova come to mind. This summer, the Scandinavia House is celebrating some lesser-known, up-and-coming designers in the fields of glass and ceramics, with “Breakable Art: Contemporary Glass and Ceramics From Norway.” The exhibit displays more than 50 recent works by 24 Norwegian glass and ceramics artists. Many of these pieces have a playful or fantastical quality. Kari Skoe Fredriksen repeatedly photocopied a 1917 portrait of her great-aunt,Marie, at the age of 15, and transferred the images to a stack of porcelain saucers for her “Still Life With Marie.” Linda Jansson Lothe painted stoneware cups and saucers with images taken from myths and fairytales. Glass artist Ulla-Mari Brantenberg used forms from nature in creating a wine glass and decanter titled “Longing Flower and Waiting Red Amaryllis.” Maud Gjeruldsen Bugge created four “Ice” candlesticks, which resemble stacks of ice cubes, using a freehand technique in crystal. Visitors interested in purchasing some of the artists’ work can contact the artists through Scandinavia House; the Scandinavia House’s shop also carries glass from several major Scandinavian design companies.