Hall of Fame
René Roubíček
The glass designer René Roubíček was born on Jamaary 23, 1922 in Prague. From 1944 to 1949, he studied in the studio of monumental painting and glass led by Professor Jaroslav Holeček at the School of Art, Architecture, and Design in Prague. From 1949 to 1950, he continued his studies in the studio led by Professor Josef Kaplický at the AAAD in Prague. He taught at the Secondary School of Glassmaking in Kamenický Šenov and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. He has worked as a free-lance artist since 1969, cooperating e.g. with Crystalex Nový Bor, the glass factory of Ústředí uměleckých řemesel in Škrdlovice, Hergiswiler Glasi in Switzerland, Moser Karlovy Vary, and recently with the Ajeto glass factory in Lindava. Apart from his designer work, his glass implementations in architecture are world-famous. His work is represented in many prestigious collections worldwide, e.g. in Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, The Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, and in Koganezaki Crystal Park in Japan. He has won many awards and prizes, ranging from the Grand Prix at the EXPO 58 exhibition in Brussels. René Roubíček continues to develop exceptional works of art. Last year, he presented a collection of unique pieces for Moser and also designed the Cena Pavla Kouteckého award (AFIS). He lives and works with his wife Miluše Roubíčková-Kytková in Prague and in Kamenický Šenov in North Bohemia.
What do you like about design?
Its ability to turn an ordinary day into a rare pleasure.
What inspires you the most?
When I see something I do not like, why should I not try to improve it? It is so easy....
What was the most decisive moment in your life and why?
Hitler is to blame that I had to study glass instead of painting – he closed all the schools. On the contrary, it seems as if there has been no harm caused to glass.
What has recently impressed you the most in your field?
The way the architect Jan Kaplický handles things. Women's underwear, in particular.