Vlastimil Beranek, one of the best European artists, is the third generation of the well-established, glassmaking Beranek family which founded a glasshouse in Škrdlovice in the Czech Republic in the 1940s. He managed the family glassworks from 1992 to 2008. Vlastimil studied at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague. He is particularly interested in the creation of molten glass sculpture and capturing movement in the simplest way, expressing pure energy in solid material. His forms are rigid and minimalistic in design, often surpassing the technical limits of technological possibilities. His monumental sculptures claim their own space and are not limited to the pedestal. They embrace and integrate different dimensions of the space in which they are placed. His glass sculptures are inspired by the depth as well as the mystery of oceans and also by fire.Each art piece is unique and exclusive because it was “freely” shaped even with the use of a mold. To Sculpt Bohemian crystal is complicated because the material is very brittle and chips easily. Additionally, during melting and grinding, unexpected cracks can develop.Vlastimil Beranek’s works express movement in a few clean curves. He draws his inspiration from the unknown magic of deep oceans and that is evidenced by his career’s work. In a paradoxical manner, he also draws his inspiration from fire. Vlastimil is deeply concerned about how humans destroy the environment. His dedication to pure perfect form results in immaculately shaped objects perfected with attention to detail and precision. Vlastimil’s sculptures tend to be heavy, large, and substantial; created to be viewed from 360-degree angles. They feature rigid, elementary forms that often border on the technology’s very possibilities. Possessing a monumental, free-from-compromise expression that does not rely exclusively on the material’s inner aesthetics or a single frame view; claiming their space. They are one-of-a-kind, unique glass sculptures that stand out from the rest with commanding expressions. His exceptional molten glass artwork is part of the collections of institutions including The Ford Museum in the United States and the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Armenia and in collections of some of the Royal families in the world. These pieces, sometimes weighing up to 300 kg., take a year to produce and there is no possibility to copy such a Masterpiece. Every single sculpture is unique. Fragile Beings Inhaling and exhaling are the present and the past. Light and darkness are life and death. Form and content are the sense and the emotion. Statues are houses with rock-steady foundations. In my terminology, I call them Fragile Beings or, alternatively, Soulmates. They define the architecture of a safe haven, representing a point of return and the certainty of permanence. Elementary, straightforward, and fundamental. I can understand them, as they are ultimately and irreversibly finished. There is nothing to be added and nothing to be taken away, nothing is either missing or superfluous. There is nowhere to hide.They carry intimate messages that need not be communicated explicitly. They are tales of sensitivity and expressions of new thoughts. They are aimed to strike a unique equilibrium of the abstract form with an inspired innermost value. Such an unambiguous, unprejudiced straightness makes one go under the surface to open their hearts and minds. You will face yourself, accept the reflection whatever it is and invest in humbleness. You will stand with your eyes open towards the wide-reaching context and imagination. Statues breathe slowly as they want to slow down the rush of our condensed present-day existence. They wanted to give the words back their meanings, and refill deeds with their merits. I imagine our human environment to be a living thing. It is a dear friend. We have conversations and the statues – the fragile beings – act as mediators of such reunions, knowing that the recovery of mutual respect will make it possible to understand and embrace the fundamental existential responsibility. The responsibility of friends, come light, come darkness. Education1975–1979Brno, Specialized school of decorative arts1983–1989Prague, Academy of applied arts, Atelier of Professor Stanislav LibenskyCollectionsCzech Republic, Liberec, Museum of glassCzech Republic, Šluknov, Crystal Caviar GalleryArmenia, Yerevan, Cafesjian Centre for the ArtsAustria, Salzburg, Galerie Prager KabinettLuxembourg, Jean-Claude Chapelotte GalleryExhibitions2001World tour exhibition: Professor Libensky and His school,Salzburg, Strasbourg, Hong-Kong, Tchaj-wan, New York2007Abu Dhabi Yacht show, Abu Dhabi, UAE2009Connections, Prague, Czech Republic2013Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco2014Gate Mall Art Gallery exhibition, Doha, Qatar2014Sea fair yacht exhibition, Art Basel Miami, USA2015Crystal Caviar, SuperyachtDESIGN Week, London, U.K.2015Crystal Caviar, Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco2016Východočeské muzeum, Pardubice, Czech Republic2016Crystal Caviar, SuperyachtDESIGN Week, London, U.K.2016Crystal Caviar, Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco2017Crystal Caviar, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai, UAE2017ARTSiO gallery, Protect the fragility - first Bohemian crystal sculpturesunderwater exhibition, Punta Negra, Mallorca2017Timeless Gallery Marbella, Spain2017Galleri New Form, Trelleborg, Sweden2017Bohemian Crystal, GX Gallery, London, UK2018ARTSiO gallery, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai, UAE2018Toyama International Glass Exhibition 2018, Toyama Glass Art Museum, Toyama, Japan2018ARTSiO gallery and Crystal Caviar, Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco2018Homo Faber - Crafting more human nature, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy2018Sklo - Rubikon group, West Bohemian Museum, Plzeň, Czech Republic2019ARTSiO gallery, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai, UAE2019ARTSiO gallery and Crystal Caviar, Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco2020Marine Art Gallery, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai, UAE2020Habatat Galleries, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA