Dylan Katz

Glassblower

©Franko Robert

Growing up next to a furnace

Dylan uses ancient glassblowing techniques
The Finnish landscape inspires his artworks
He learned his skills from master glassblowers

Dylan Katz views glass as both philosophical and poetic. He talks about the inherent beauty and versatility of the material. For him the process of glass working is like a dance, with the heat of the furnace and the miraculous transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Dylan’s first encounter with glass was at the tender age of twelve. His art school was time spent in the workshop in front of the furnace, guided by masters. The ancient tradition of glass working has become his life. Wind the clock back to the 17th century and he would feel just at home, working at the furnace, absorbed in the process. Born and bred in Seattle, Dylan moved to Finland in 2013 and is now running a glass workshop with his wife, Katztudio in Tampere.

Interview

©Franko Robert

How did you learn the art of glassblowing?: I never attended an art school, apart from a few master classes. I was introduced to hot glass at Buck’s Rock, a summer camp in Connecticut when I was 12. In high school, I worked with my ceramics teacher to build a rudimentary glassblowing studio. I got my first job in a professional studio aged 18.
Do you master any specific techniques?: I use a broad range of techniques, mostly from the American studio glass movement, which has its roots in Murano. Recently, I have been learning about the Finnish traditional way of working, which is focused on highly skilled factory production, something rather rare today.
What's a surprising element in your work?: It is not the time it takes to make a piece, but rather the number of times it has been made and the amount of practice required to make it well. Some of my simplest pieces I have made thousands of times.The best results occur when every step is accomplished quickly and smoothly.
Is there a memorable moment in your creative journey?: In 2014, Italian master Pino Signoretto visited Finland for a final collaboration with Finnish designer Oiva Toikka at the Iittala factory. I introduced myself and asked Pino if he needed assistance. I spent the next few hours working with one of the greatest glass makers of all time.

Dylan Katz is a master artisan: he began his career in 2002 and he started teaching in 2013