I first encountered Andi Kovel on Netflix’s “Blown Away” series, a reality competition show where she and 9 other artists introduced me to the amazing world of glass blowing. A fellow East Coaster turned Portland transplant, I felt an immediate connection to Andi—and not just because of our shared geographical roots, but also our love of design. In fact, what drew me to Andi is her self-identification as a designer first and foremost, whose work transcends the boundaries of her chosen medium of glass. As a conceptual photographer, this design-first mentality resonated deeply with my own artistic sensibilities and sparked the idea for this creative collaboration.
Design is not only a practice of intentionality—making deliberate styling or production design or talent choices that tell a story—but it also serves to evoke a feeling that transcends the sum of its parts. In Andi’s role as a designer, she also seeks to craft art that not only visually captivates but also stirs a deep-seated emotional response. With her practice Andi aims to enchant and elevate, invoking a sense of exploration and curiosity. We really wanted to express these feelings in this collaboration and evolve the typical environmental portrait into a reflection of both our creative personalities.
Like many projects of this sort, this one began with a visit to the location. If you’ve never been in a hot shop (as it’s known in the industry), it’s aptly named—a hot, loud, visceral environment with glowing kilns, open flames and sharp implements everywhere you turn. Glass shards litter the floor like detritus, speaking to the precarious and volatile nature of the craft. It is a primal environment, and sits in stark contrast to the delicate and crystalline objects it births. Like a moth to a flame, I kept finding myself being pulled visually towards the glowing elements within the space—the kiln, the glory hole, and the torches all serving as not only the means by which the glass is manipulated but also, photographically, as interesting practical light sources. These theme of fire and the warmth and energy it emits became a recurring motif in this series.
To ensure that we were showcasing not only Andi in the hot shop but also displaying her body of work, we needed to find a way to incorporate the glass into these scenes. To do this, we really leaned into Andi’s extensive career in large scale sculptural installation, bringing in both bigger scale pieces and a large quantities of glass in each setting, and configuring them in ways that felt both sculptural and narrative. This is perhaps best illustrated in my favorite image of the set—the kiln scene, in which delicate globes ethereally spill from the kiln, directed by an onlooking and radiant Andi from above. This helped create a synergy between all the elements of the scene and allowed for a more conceptual approach to the photography, echoing the playful and enchanting qualities of Andi’s work.
Observing Andi in her element was nothing short of captivating. The physicality and precision required for glass blowing is reminiscent of a dance – a rhythmic flow of movements that belies the sheer effort behind them. Her confidence in tackling monumental pieces was inspiring, showcasing her mastery of the craft. But her skill doesn’t come at the cost of her femininity. Andi seems to have found this wonderful balance of being a strong force of nature in a predominately male field while remaining unapologetically femme. In fact, you’ll often see Andi in the studio with hair flowing, wearing a skirt—a choice we embraced in the styling of this series. By layering some of Andi’s signature clothing pieces with colorful designs from local Portland designers, we remained true to her aesthetic and celebrated what it means to be a woman in this field.
This collaboration with Andi offered a fertile ground to explore my creativity. From the logistical planning to the final execution of our vision, every step of the process felt fun and innovative. With Andi’s guidance and performance, we were able to integrate glass, environment, and tools of the trade seamlessly into a colorful and whimsical narrative. What emerged was not just a series of photographs but a visual narrative celebrating the convergence of art and design, a celebration of femininity and the transformative power of creativity and craftsmanship embodied in the remarkable persona of Andi.
