'Molten Light, Crystalized Form'! Discover the Art of Glass at Liuli China Museum

Credit: 一勺李奥

What gives glass its rich burgundy hue? How do different metal oxides create a spectrum of colors? And how do bubbles, thickness and surface treatments influence the final appearance of a glass artwork?

These questions are explored in Molten Light, Crystalized Form – An Artistic Narrative of Cast Glass, an exhibition on the 2nd floor of the Liuli China Musuem. Visitors can discover the differences between ordinary glass, colored glass, crystal and liuli, China's ancient glass, while learning about the science and craftsmanship behind these fascinating materials.

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The exhibition is divided into two sections. The first section introduces the 12 stages of lost-wax casting, the traditional technique used to create liuli artworks. Alongside illustrated explanations, each stage is paired with the corresponding materials, such as modeling clay and silicone molds, and tools, including carving knives, wax-melting pots and mineral powders.

At the center of this section, a demonstration table uses a liuli horse to illustrate the entire process, from sculpting the original model in clay and creating multilayer silicone molds to wax casting, plaster molding, glass casting, and the final detailing and polishing. The display offers an insight into the complex process behind each finished artwork.

The second section features a group exhibition of liuli artworks by dozens of artists from France, the Czech Republic and China. Highlights include works by renowned French glass artist Antoine Leperlier, Czech glass artists Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová, British artist Colin Reid, and Yang Huishan, founder of the Liuli China Museum. Their creations showcase the expressive possibilities of glass, transforming light, color and texture into distinctive works of art.

Credit: 一勺李奥

Caption: "Yang Huishan's Orchids" by Colin Reid and Yang Huishan

Located in Shanghai's lively Tianzifang neighborhood, the Liuli China Museum has been part of the city's cultural landscape for two decades. Beyond admiring the artworks, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation of the craftsmanship and creativity that bring molten glass to life.