Unnamed Vase with Golden MEKY - Light Blue
ABOUT THE PRODUCT
design: Jakub Berdych Karpelis, 2017 / 2022
dimensions: 19 x 34 cm
material: hand-blown crystal glass
The LIMITED COLLECTION of 4 UNNAMED vases by Jakub Berdych Karpelis with handwritten gold text "MEKY" dedicated to the Slovak music legend was created for the 70th birthday of Miro Zbirka. The vase is a gift item for the exhibition accompanying the anniversary, and Jakub Berdych Karpelis and Qubus Design Studio are also co-authors of the exhibition concept and its architectural design. The exhibition Miro Žbirka: Years and Days premiered at the National Museum in Prague in October 2022, its reprisals took place in 2023 in Bratislava at the Slovak National Museum - Historical Museum at Bratislava Castle, and the third and final destination in the same year is the East Slovak Museum in Košice.
The vase was created on the occasion of the exhibition that accompanies the 70th birthday anniversary and Qubus Design Studio is also the co-author of the exhibition concept and its architecture. The exhibition Miro Žbirka - Years and Days, premiered at the National Museum (19.10.2022 - 1.1.2023), its reprises took place in Bratislava at the Slovak National Museum - Historical Museum at Bratislava Castle (4.2.-15.11.2023) and the third destination where the exhibition will be presented is the East Slovak Museum in Košice (from 1.12.2023).
The first limited series of UNNAMED vases by Jakub Berdych Karpelis dates back to 2017 and these vases have always carried strong messages. Historically, the vase was inscribed with messages that glossed interpersonal relationships or attitudes to life, for example the numerical code 22:39 referred to the Gospel according to St Matthew "Love your neighbour as yourself". The cryptic messages addressed to mankind were later replaced by the straightforward message of LOVE with an arrow pointing to the main character - a flower that represents nature, which is what this is all about in the first place! The variant with the text BLOW JOB simply refers to the technique of making 'blown glass'. A conceptual design idea with a typical, yet laboriously cultivated sense of irony, self-irony and sarcasm, with which Jakub Berdych Karpelis comments on contemporary social and cultural prejudices. The popular vase has been given a number of colour variations and material versions, and a limited edition GOLDEN TOUCH with handwritten gold text, a certificate of authenticity and the author's signature is produced every year.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Jakub Berdych Karpelis is the co-founder of Qubus studio. Since its inception in 2002, he has focused on conceptual work in traditional Czech materials such as glass and porcelain. He is credited with the brand's expansion beyond the Czech Republic and the creation of a number of works, complete collections and products now significant for the Qubus brand. Among the most famous projects is the reconstruction of the interior of the Church of St. Bartholomew in Chodovice. His works can be seen not only in Czech, but also in world famous galleries and collections such as Moss Gallery New York or Mint Gallery London and others. In addition to conceptual and product design, he also works in the field of interior design, architecture and free art. Since 2008 he has been the art director of the gallery store Dox by Qubus at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague.
ABOUT THE BRAND
The Qubus brand was founded in 2002 by Jakub Berdych Karpelis together with Maxim Velčovský and in the same year they opened the eponymous brick-and-mortar design shop in Prague's Old Town as the first ever design shop in the Czech Republic. The main idea and motivation of Qubus is to design, produce and present Czech contemporary and conceptual design with wit and unconventionality. A number of now iconic design products, collections and works have been created under the Qubus brand and the Qubus brand, the first on the market at the time, has become one of the most popular design studios in the Czech Republic in its 20 years of operation. Qubus products are characterized by their humour and search for new meanings and contexts.
Qubus designers most often work with traditional Czech materials - glass or porcelain, and their hallmark is a humorous play with morphology and function. Central European sarcasm meets commentary on the world around us in Qubus products. They respond to lifestyles, mirror prejudices and reflect cultural and social themes and trends.
Among the products in the Qubus portfolio, we find luxury and everyday pieces that shape taste and push its boundaries. In addition to conceptual and product design, the studio also executes interior design, architecture and free art projects by Jakub Berdych Karpelis and other artists it invites to collaborate.
