With her brand LAOKON, Daniela Vrabcová Chodilová introduces a new collection titled Jídlonosiče (Food Carrier), inspired by a student project created at UMPRUM. The collection draws upon a mundane, intimately familiar object that many of us remember from childhood—the vessel our parents and grandparents used to carry their meals.
It is precisely this ordinariness that presents a fascinating paradox. The collection transforms everyday forms into new contexts; the familiar shapes of food carriers are reimagined as subtly abstract, playful, and at times sculptural glass objects, vases, and bowls.
In doing so, the work balances on the edge of minimalism, provocation, and absurdity. Even commonplace motifs—such as mustard, ketchup, or cutlery—are treated with a touch of wit; rendered in glass, they transform into decorative elements, becoming integral parts of a high-quality object. Thus, the mundane meets the luxurious, and the everyday merges with the collectible.
Yet, craftsmanship remains paramount. Precise handwork, the quality of the glass, and the expertise of master glassmakers form the foundation of the entire collection. While humor and provocation play a role, they never come at the expense of artisanal value. For us, these pieces are not merely a playful take on a nostalgic object, but a distinctive collectible design where memory, craftsmanship, and a contemporary perspective on glass converge.
