Kristine Five Melvær experiments with glass blowing to create Graphic Vases
Norwegian designer Kristine Five Melvær has explored different glass-blowing techniques to create colourful patterns on this series of bulbous vases (+ slideshow).
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
Kristine Five Melvær worked with glass blowers at Norway's Magnor Glassverk to create three vases in a range of bright colours.
"The vases explore the tension and the relationship between the three-dimensional shapes and graphic surfaces of the objects," said Melvær.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
The bottom-heavy Else vase features stripy patterns, created where triangular strips in a matte finish follow the form up from the base and meet the shiny neck.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
The two different colour shades are subtly different; an effect created by using two layers of glass and sandblasting the lower sections to reveal the tone underneath.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_4.jpg)
"The vase explores the variation between the subtle differences in colour and the contrast between glossy and matte," said Melvær.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_2.jpg)
Marie has a curvaceous form that balloons out towards the top, opposite to the shape of the Else pieces, which changes in opacity as it differs in width.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_14.jpg)
The stem flows into doughnut-shaped sections at the top of the design, with a narrow hole for holding flowers in the centre.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
"The narrow section of the vase is perceived as intense and opaque, while the curvy part is stretched and becomes more transparent," Melvær said.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_8.jpg)
Finally, the Gro vase is covered in coloured veins that look similar to leaf skeletons.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
These are overlaid on the transparent external face of the vase, while the inside is coloured in a similar tone to the patterns.
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
"The object is made by use of the traditional graal technique," explained Melvær. "The glass is blown into a capsule shape, and then masked and sandblasted to reveal a vein pattern. It is later reheated and blown into the final shape."
![Graphic Vases by Kristine Five Melvaer for Magnor Glassverk](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2014/10/Graphic-Vases-by-Kristine-Five-Melvaer-for-Magnor-Glassverk_dezeen_468_3.jpg)
The collection was displayed for the first time at the Verdi exhibition at Norway Designs in Oslo last month.
Photography is by Erik Five Gunnerud.