Shibari Glass is a project that started from the idea of preserving rope-kisses in glass.

The works are produced in a process of mutual embodied holding, based on consent and sensitivity. When the artist ties the hot glass, as the dominant actor they must take care of the material as it would be their own. Listening, sensing, and empathising with the glass, giving it structure yet letting it take a form that comes naturally. The objects are pushed to the point just before breaking, which has to be considered individually for each piece. The glass is left with unique marks of a holding, much like people are left to bear the marks of their experiences, both positive and negative, which make them who they are. How we are cared for contributes to what makes us human. The embodied process asks, could we extend this loving care towards non-human factors as well?

The objects are free-blown out of opaque coloured glass. The ropes are traditionally hand-twisted out of heat resistant carbon fibre and then used to tie the glass while hot. In Shibari Glass, the consensual dialogue between artist, glassblower, rope and glass works as an emotionally and culturally reparative exploration, where the power is given back to the formed material. The tear between designer, craftsperson, maker and material is repaired with conscious compassionate collaboration in a caring act of reciprocal becoming. 

Some of the works were exhibited under the name Held in Embrace, during Helsinki Design Week in 2025. These small scale experimental sculptures were blown, then tied again and suspended mid air in a kiln. The pieces were then slumped to let the shapes naturally relax into the heat resistant ropes.

Materials: glass, carbon fibre, hemp rope, ceramic rope

Glass Blowers: Slate Grove & Zachary Compton

Photos: Lauriina Markkula