Catena | Glass sculpture

by Anna Alsina Bardagí

About the artwork

Title: Catena

Material: Eco optical glass

Edition: Unique artwork

Process: Cast glass, polished, and sandblasted

Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 7 cm (10.6 x 8.6 x 2.7 in)

Weight: 8.3 kg (18.2 lbs)

Year created: 2026

In private collection

FAQs about Catena glass sculpture

What techniques were used to create Catena?

Catena was made using glass casting. I first created the prototype by hand in fine arts plasticine, which I then used to make a refractory mold. Once the plasticine was removed, I calculated the amount of glass needed using mathematical formulas. The piece then spent around two weeks in the kiln, going through the melting and annealing process. Once it came out of the kiln, there was still quite a lot of work to do: polishing the glass and using waterjet cutting to achieve the final round shape.

How are the internal effects achieved?

The internal effects were created by carefully arranging solid glass cylinders and rectangular shapes inside the mold before the glass was melted. Their position and volume determined how the glass interacted during the melting process and created the structures inside the finished piece.

What type of glass was used?

I used S-BSL7 optical glass by Ohara, made in Japan. It is a very clear optical glass, which was important for achieving the depth of the piece.

How long did it take to make Catena?

The whole process took around three months, from creating the first model to the final polishing. The melting and annealing alone took around two weeks.

Does light affect the sculpture’s appearance?

Yes, very much. Because Catena is made from clear optical glass, light changes the way the internal forms are seen depending on its direction and intensity.