Glass Studio in Haifa • Maria Dov is coming home

Glass Me Studio - Glass Me Studio 

After 7 years in Jerusalem, Maria Dov, a graduate of the "Bezalel" Academy of Art and Design, Department of Ceramics and Glass, decided to return to Haifa, plant roots there and establish a unique studio called 'Glass Me Studio'  At 40 Hanamal St. Haifa. Maria is originally from Haifa who left Haifa for Jerusalem to study at Bezalel, then stayed in Jerusalem to serve as a research supervisor at the academy for another three years. In her first studio Maria Dov holds various activities including courses and workshops in the field of glass. Also, the studio is used by Maria to create artwork. 

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Maria Dov:

Establishing the studio in today's reality is a duality, two different things that can exist at the same time, that my thoughts and concepts can change depending on time and place. A studio designed to deliver workshops of fun and experience at the same time with all the sorrow and pain that happens in society and the country. This is why Israel is an interesting place for creators. The big challenge is to exist in a changing reality, a reality that affects the economic aspect and the processes and the way of creation in new projects.

And despite all the difficulties in the process and in the move from Jerusalem to Haifa, a process that took two months, Maria opened the doors of the studio in the lower city of Haifa just before the war and the catastrophe of 7.10.24/XNUMX. A place that is considered vibrant in its cultural and social activity, an area full of studios and workshops in various fields of art.

Maria opened the studio alone, but the expectation is to bring in employees as soon as the work increases. The studio covers an area of ​​90 square meters and includes heavy equipment; 2 electric ovens that produce heat of 1,500 degrees Celsius, a saw, compressors and large sanding equipment. Next to the heavy equipment, a system of gas and oxygen was assembled for the burners of hot glass sculpture.

What courses are held there?

"The studio holds courses and classes in glass using the burner technique and the fusing-slamping technique. In addition, one-time experience workshops are held at the studio. The workshops, courses and classes are suitable for beginners, no previous experience is required. You can come with the children (age +9) and celebrate birthdays, holidays Married or just for fun, to experiment with a new and challenging material. At the end of each workshop, the participants leave with a finished glass creation that they made by themselves."

How are you coping with the economic security situation?

The current situation for artists in Israel is very difficult. I still didn't have time to make an opening and the war started, the workshops that were registered were all cancelled. Currently there is no demand and no work, despite the special prices for the period. The security situation is currently calm in Haifa, but people are afraid to leave the house. People in no mood for celebrations and the cultural part of life. Right now I'm working on my artistic projects, but the studio runs into cash flow problems every month in light of all the costs of rent and bills." 

Maria's goal and ambition is to strengthen Israeli artists and emphasize the role of culture and art as a place of refuge, support and balm for the spirit and soul. In a changing reality, suddenly the possibility of losing yourself in the crowd gains strength. A vast field of ideas that pop up like mushrooms after the rain in light of all the political changes, the artists here have a lot of inspiration and a stormy conversation here. But now especially Maria says "I'm afraid of what's happening and it's already affecting everyone" 

Tell us about your art

"The whole current situation is an opportunity to look inward through the basic principles of human nature. In my art I present a renewed evaluation of issues related to human behavior: needs, habits, wishes and hopes." 

Maria raises awareness of issues to which she has sentimental value

"I approach these issues through the study of both popular and modern cultures: the world of symbols, metaphors, proverbs and stories that express wisdom and morality. I am constantly looking for analogies, stories and plots that connect. I see myself as a visual anthropologist of the modern era.'

"I work with the casting technique, which requires Sisyphean creative processes in light of the many steps involved in the process. It is important to note that working with glass is not cheap, raw materials, materials and equipment required to create each object add up to a priceless amount."

She also says that she tries in different ways to incorporate the unique properties of glass in her projects, because glass has almost mysterious properties, such as transparency and visual illusions. Glass is a material that is both exciting and frustrating, a demanding material. An endless journey of discovery and learning about the glass, a struggle with the glass to see who will break first.

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