2019 EDGE - Uri Davillier
This designer breaks all preconceived notions about glass.
With a background in both Engineering and Fine Arts, Uri Davillier began Neptune Glassworks in 2000 with the goal of building a brand that exemplifies thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail. Trained in glass, ceramics, and sculpture, Uri has honed his craft over the last decade and continues to produce both functional designs, as well as sculptural pieces. From some of his larger sculptural pieces which can be seen in restaurants like Otium to customized pieces that grace some of LA’s most notable homes, to drinkware that anyone can possess, Neptune Glassworks has elevated a timeless and ubiquitous material into a subtle and sublime fine art.LA Design Festival sat down with Uri to learn more about his process and practice.
YOU’RE TRAPPED IN AN ELEVATOR AND SOMEONE ASKS YOU WHAT YOU DO, WHAT DO YOU SAY?
I blow glass and design sculptural lighting for residential and commercial spaces.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES?
Getting lunch.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESSES?
Materializing what’s in my mind and placing those objects in some of the most beautiful homes and businesses in LA.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPER EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
Combining rapid prototyping and the hand made.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO NEXT?
Sculptural lighting for an opera house.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER OR ARTIST?
Jasper Johns for his exploration of the inherent disconnect between reference and the referent and how that influences our understanding of the designed objects that we surround ourselves with.
WHAT’S YOUR DAILY RITUAL LIKE?
Start work at 7:30 am, stop at 6pm — Lots of things happen in-between which lack ritual.
Photos courtesy of Uri Davillier