Johan Pertl

Johan Pertl graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University, majoring in industrial design. He then completed a master's programme at UMPRUM in the glass studio. During his studies, Johan worked in the Dechem studio and founded his own workshop for fused sculpture with his classmate and friend Tomáš Kučera. Here he is engaged in practice, both design and craftsmanship, and designs and creates most of the objects himself. In the process of creating fused sculpture, Johan tries new methods and ways to make the process less environmentally demanding. There have already been several developments, in the case of the Utopia series, improvements in the moulding technique of fused sculpture. He has been shortlisted for Discovery of the Year in the Czech Grand Design 2023 awards for the Utopia and Monumentality series. The new approaches to making are also being followed up with the theme of the PhD.

The topic of the dissertation deals with the relationship between glass and light. Light is an important element in the creation of glass and it is important to keep it in mind when designing. The first part of the dissertation therefore deals with this phenomenon, followed by practical examinations. The practical trials focus on creating a lens that will ideally concentrate light to a single point. This principle makes it possible to harness direct solar energy and melt glass or metals. The last phase will focus on the construction of the device and its subsequent use. The aim of this undertaking is to create a better understanding of the relationship between light and glass, and to map the historical use of direct solar energy. Subsequent testing, construction and subsequent use of the whole device.