CGD

“We primarily focus on designing object that excite us both visually and intellectually, thus becoming a personal obsession of sort to us.“ Markéta Kratochvílová and Tadeáš Podracký

Tadeáš is a recent graduate of the Glass Studio led by doc. Rony Plesl at the AAAD in Prague; Markéta graduated from the K.O.V. (Metal – Object – Meaning) Studio led by Eva Eisler at the AAAD. In addition to their individual works, they have collaborated on many projects. Tadeáš has been collaborating with leading glass factories for a long time now: for his graduation work, he worked with the Moser glass factory; and his Skywalkers project was designed in collaboration with Preciosa and Markéta. For his graduation work, his interest in Czech baroque glass really came to the fore and reintroduced long-forgotten production methods. Keenly interested in the tradition and history of glass, his later work builds on these foundations in a search that leads him down paths to new ideas. However, he is not averse to referencing and accentuating these traditions. This approach is reflected in his ability to transform the old into the new, providing new horizons and new contexts – all from his unique, conceptual perspective.

Markéta was a standout student at the AAAD, showing a flair for detail in a variety of exquisite and precisely processed materials. This young jewellery designer places the contemporary in a classical context, enriching her work. However, she is also able to broach taboos and explore intimate themes. She is interested in the human body, experimenting and learning through new forms. She designs virtuoso pieces on themes of her choosing, challenging old stereotypes and breaking down prejudices. In doing so, she creates paths leading from the past to the present, from herself to the client and from the subjective to the objective.

The unique association of these two talented designers is fully on show in their nominated work the Skywalkers collection, designed for Preciosa, in which the two designers manage to marry their different working methods into an innovative, harmonious whole.

Filip Suchomel