Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Thomas Fuchs Creative Collections and P & G's The Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative





When I read this description on Thomas' Biography and saw his neo-classical works I knew that this is a designer that  I had to feature at The Arts by Karena! 

"Art—in all of its infinite forms—is the catalyst for what Thomas Fuchs does. He’s a furniture designer, creator of stunning Venetian glass, an avid painter…and so much more. Art—is his passion. And that passion passes on through his work." 

Please enjoy our conversation and getting to know more about Thomas .


1)     Thomas, did you know from an early age that you were interested in being creative and the arts?  

        It was never a conscious thought.  I wish it was because then I could have stopped it and became a lawyer or banker.   Only kidding, I knew there was something in me pulling me but never put a name or function to it, I just always needed to create.


The fabulous Bollicine Chandelier


2) Would you tell our readers a bit about your background leading up to Thomas Fuchs Creative and Otium, your Lighting and Accessories Company? 


I was very fortunate to attend the Corcoran School of Art in WashingtonD.C. as well as the Art Student League and the National Academy of Design in New York City.



During my studies, I interned at C. G. Sloan, an auction house in Washington D.C., (this opportunity is an incredible education for a designer) after my graduation they hired me full time in the furniture department.  From there I went onto join Butterfield and Butterfield in San Francisco as an appraiser. After a few years, one of my client asked if I would move to LA to create a line of furniture, which I did.  I spent a few years in in Los Angeles but I got homesick for NYC. 

Lucky for me this happen to coincide with John Hutton, the Creative Director of Donghia requesting me to move back to New York and work with him.  Once back, John suggested we start working in glass, so they sent me to Italy where I worked closely with the factories to create our first collection.  When Donghia was eventually sold, I thought it would be a good time to leave and start my own lighting company, Otium.  That was a little over 10 years ago.   



The Disco Volante Candle Holder, Murano glass and 24 carat Gold Leaf 


3) Is travel one of your passions; I understand you spend a lot of time in MuranoItaly to oversee the art glass production. Where else do your travels take you?  

Travel is a big part of my life, both personally and professionally.  I always seem to fit factory visits in anywhere I go in the world especially if there is a glass factory within a 100 miles to where I am.  Being in a factory and working with the artisans is one of the best ways to learn about a culture, its beliefs, work mentality, etc.  My partner and I just returned from Africa which I love, I have been there a few times, in fact we visited 3 glass factories there, as well as the game parks and we “adopted” a couple of elephants in the sense that we made a donation to the game park.

The Lion Chandelier



4)   What inspired the new Butterfly Barware Collection which is making its debut at Saks Fifth Avenue this fall?  

I love the artistry of the precious and semi precious stone inlay done in India.  I thought a butterfly wing would lend itself to this craftsmanship.  I also tried to make the collection a little dark in spirit in that a butterfly spends so much time in the process of becoming a butterfly and then is only one for a short while.  But it is hard for people to see a butterfly as a dark subject matter.

The Butterfly Collection debuting at Saks Fifth Avenue this Fall


5) Who are some other artists and designers that you admire?  

Albert Hadley was not only a visionary I admired, I was also able to develop a friendship with him from a very early age.  I also love the kinetic energy a Calder sculpture creates and the realness of the texture Giacometti used in his work.   There are many, many more inspirations as well.


6) I was very excited to hear about your Foxware Glass Collection in the water wave pattern in collaboration with Proctor and Gamble.  Would you describe how this is going to benefit children in need?  When will this glassware be available to purchase and where? 



This collaboration is to benefit Proctor and Gamble's CSDW (Children's Safe Drinking Water) sustainability program. Clean water is the biggest commodity in the world. Enabling and supporting P&G's program by donation of funds through selling of these glasses will mean people will be able to get the kits to clean the water. This means women and children will not have to walk to wells daily freeing them time wise to be able to go to school.
Wave Glassware by Fuchs to benefit Children in need is in partnership with Proctor & Gamble. Every set of four glasses sold will bring $5 for the CSDW Program. Foxware is an artisanal home goods company  owned by Fuchs and creative collaborator Michou Mahtani. 

This special designed glassware will be available in Spring of 2015. http://foxware-nyc.com  Please visit at that time and make a purchase to assist in this great endeavor.
The Glassware Thomas created for P&G

Thomas at the Hotshop (Glassmakers Studio)


Fuchs first approached Proctor & Gamble about their Children's Safe Drinking Water Initiative after  seeing how a small packet of powder developed by P & G scientists  could transform even the dirtiest drinking water into pure water within minutes. It removes parasites and arsenic, while destroying common waterborne bacteria  and viruses.





Please do take some time to peruse Thomas's websites, Otium and Thomas Fuchs Creative. Enlarge the images so that you can see the incredible details of his works.



Much appreciation to Gwen Toline of GHT Communications for sharing this information about Thomas Fuchs and his artistry.


Thank you to my many friends and Followers who support The Arts!

xoxo
Karena 
The Arts by Karena


Please leave a comment as they make my day!

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15 comments:

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Beautiful work!

Kristen @ Pursuing Vintage said...

Such skill! Amazing talent. I can't even imagine creating something out of glass, much less these beautiful creations.
What a terrific partnership with the glasses.

'LUSH' said...

Beautiful, indeed!

MJH DesignArts said...

Hi Karena, Another fantastic post. I love how Fuch's works echos the old traditions, but is bursting with new inspiration. And surprise! There is my little chest down at the bottom. Thank you so much!
xoxo Mary

Leslie @ Segreto Secrets said...

How amazing is Fuch's work?! Such an incredible talent and I love the use of Murano glass - so, so pretty!Lovely feature!
xo. Leslie
Segreto Finishes

Pura Vida said...

what a gift of a person

Unknown said...

Karena, he is my kind of guy! I am currently really into glass making and want to try it myself. His aesthetic and artist statement is wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving and I am thankful for your support! xo Nancy

designchic said...

An amazing talent and I love the chandeliers and the butterfly collection…stunning!

Lisa Mende said...

So beautiful! wow!

Burlap Luxe said...

Glass blowers have always intrigued me, as for Fuch's glass art well what can I say both chandeliers are so very different get so amazing in there form and lighted clarity.
Karena, could you imaging the light that cast through his glass work.
As for the butterfly line, I have never been a big fan of butterfly art, but his pieces do charm, the bottle stopper really is divine and graceful, and the ice tongs really cool idea.
Thank you for another great artist that inspires a craft in his art of unique glass work.

Thank you my dear friend for taking the time to visit my place, your words left behind always, always add a little something to my days.
Hope you are in beautiful health, and I am looking forward to some new art pieces from you, please do share my friend.

Happy ThanksGiving
Xx

Dore

Unknown said...

This is such an interesting post Karena. Thank you for sharing such creativity and inspiration. That chandelier is breath taking! Happy Thanksgiving my friend....xx

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Oh my gosh, how much beauty! I love everything he has created, and what I god person.
Happy Thanksgiving, Karena.
Teresa
xoxo

kim at northerncalstyle. said...

Wow, I love his work! These are some of the loveliest chandeliers I have ever seen. It's wonderful he is part of this program to help make clean drinking water, a super need in this world! The wave glasses are also beautiful! Thank you for sharing this! Kim

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great article awesome sharing,
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