In Company
What’s your name and where are you from/Based?
I am Grace, the founder of In Company, a design studio based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Collection One transforms solar geyser tubes into glassware. What is this material? How did you first come across it and what drew you to it?
‘Collection One’ is a range of handblown glassware, crafted from reused borosilicate glass tubes, which were originally made for solar geyser heating. Unfortunately, borosilicate glass cannot be recycled with regular glass and thus is rejected from mainstream recycling depots, this does however give it another chance to be reworked. Borosilicate glass is what scientific glass equipment is made of – it can withhold incredible heat, is light and strong – a perfect balance of delicate and durable. I wanted to create a drinking glass that shared and embodied this juxtaposition: imperfect yet structured, sophisticated yet playful, familiar yet surprising, hard yet organic.
How do you approach the design of something that will always end up slightly different in its final form? Does letting go of precision open something new in your process?
The intention of crafting each artful object was that each is a unique sculpture, no two are the same. Although there’s a rough design for each: the wine shape, tumbler and cocktail glasses, they develop their own personality through the process which is not only welcomed but encouraged. The lack of precision is where the essence of the glass’ design integrity comes through.
You describe your work as questioning the relationship between objects, people, and society. What kind of conversations do you hope your pieces spark?
I hope these pieces spark appreciation for craft, appreciation for the objects we surround ourselves with, seeing the art in the ordinary as much as extraordinary. I hope they bring an awareness of what we choose to focus on in life; an intentional approach to life; encouraging a level of intimacy to be shared between objects, people and their broader environment holistically.
Are there other recycled or overlooked materials you’re curious to experiment with next?
Certainly, waste should be seen as a resource.
If there was a soundtrack to your pieces, what would it be?
Perhaps the gentle hum of the ringing of a glass, when one traces a wet finger over the rim – orchestral, smooth, meditative, surprising. Ironically, this wouldn’t be the sound made if you tried with these, so perhaps just the sound of a gentle cheers.
Is there anything in life that you feel you had to unlearn?
There are so many foundational and developmental notions that are worthy of unlearning, it makes sense to me to encourage unlearning as much as learning. Building and rebuilding ideas, creations and sense of self, towards growth and expansion.
Do you think this collection is a one-off, or does it open a door into a new kind of making for your studio?
This first collection came with no expectations or cherished outcomes, but a simple, stubborn desire to make, which is as addictive as it is satisfying.
Where can people find you?
In Company is stocked at AKJP Studio in Cape Town, as well as directly available through In Company or via mail directly (info@incompany.online)
