Mitosis | Glass sculpture

Mitosis was created using kiln-casting and cold-working techniques to achieve its geometric form and internal clarity. The suspended, cellular-like structures were developed through controlled water-jet cuts before the sculpture was fired in the kiln.

The creation of Mitosis followed a carefully calculated, multi-stage glass casting process. First, I developed and refined the concept before constructing a mold from vermiculite panels. Next, precise mathematical calculations determined the exact glass volume and shapes required. The floating mitosis effect at the center of the glass sculpture emerged by pre-shaping elements before melting.

Following the preparation of the glass, the piece underwent a two-week firing and annealing process, where it was slowly heated and cooled to ensure structural integrity and minimize internal stresses. After the firing process, the sculpture underwent several weeks of grinding with silicon carbide. Finally, the piece went through a polishing stage using cerium oxide to achieve optical transparency, allowing the suspended structures within Mitosis to emerge in their full depth.

This glass sculpture was created using Ohara’s eco-optical glass S-BSL7, which is free from lead and arsenic and is known for its unique optical properties.

The process of creating Mitosis spanned over three months, beginning with concept and design, followed by glass calculations and firing, and concluding with precise polishing for optical clarity.