The piece belongs to a group titled Soft Series. It perfectly encapsulates the wonders of glass as it shows us its ability to be both clear and opaque, appear soft while being hard. After stretching and folding hot glass, Maria used nothing but kevlar gloves to shape it by hand. Therefore, in the last seconds of its fluidity, she was able to forever capture the intangible softness of heat.

Length 40 ml
Depth 13 cm
Height 21 cm

Nine years ago, Maria tested out what would happen if she stretched and folded hot glass, transforming the solid form into thousands of fine threads. The soft and silky outcome has developed over the years as a result of dedicated teamwork with her assistants and the development of unconventional tools (custom-made blowpipe, metal tube and large garden sheers). Hung tightly against the wall they appear to be made from a malleable material and smudged directly onto the wall.

Length 60 ml
Depth 7 cm

When solid glass is stretched and folded multiple times and then twisted around on itself, it starts to assemble a much softer material, it becomes silky in its appearance. Maria manipulated concrete to represent aspects of softness, though the result is indeed as hard as glass. The two objects fit perfectly together as one was placed on top of the other while curing.

Width 27 ml
Height 35 cm
Depth 25 cm

Poetically and aesthetically, these objects tell a story about the special qualities of glass. How it has the ability to be both clear and opaque, soft and hard at the same time. Hot glass is so easily shaped and Maria aimed to capture that moment in its cold form.

Width 36 ml
Height 20 cm
Depth 15 cm

Maria tends to work around the idea that all things are malleable. Therefore, her experimental work with glass is not only a technique, but also a statement. One that states never to be caught up in restrictive norms or to obey established hierarchies, but to rather be liberated from other’s restrictions and transform them into positive forms.

Height 106 cm
Width 107 cm
Depth 8 cm