Open Call II – Workshop:
Digital Tools in the Cast Glass Process

TURBA FACTORY Berlin | DE – 2025

Open Call II – Workshop:
Digital Tools in the Cast Glass Process

TURBA e.V. in cooperation with Bärenglas. The workshop is made possible by the Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung, with full funding for all participants.

Places Available: 5 participants

Workshop-Timeframe:
Day 1: Monday, 23 June 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day 2: Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day 3: Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day 4: Thursday, 26 June 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day 5: Friday, 27 June 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day 6: Monday, 30 June 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Day 7: Monday, 7 July 2025, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Please note: The longer break between the last dates is due to processing time for cast glass test pieces in the kiln. The final session will constitute review of the casting results.

All workshop sessions will be held at: TURBA Factory 3.OG, Teilestraße 11, 12099, Berlin-Tempelhof

Application deadline: Sunday, 8 June 2025

Summary:

This workshop presents an opportunity to learn more about the processes and creative possibilities of glass casting, expanded through combination with digital tools. The aim is to provide a foundational understanding of the practical applications of CAD and digital tools in the context of mould making for glass casting. We will focus both on the raw materials and key processes that are used and on the possibilities that glass casting offers in an artistic context over a period of seven intensive, practical sessions. The workshop is aimed at individuals who have completed a course of study in the arts and already have some experience in working with glass.

Glass Casting?

Similar to investment casting methods used in the bronze foundry, for example, glass casting involves the production of moulds and formers which are used to give the molten glass a specific shape during a progressive softening and forming process. Once the mould and glass have cooled, the moulds are then removed to reveal the glass object formed within. This process makes it possible to reproduce especially fine details and textures, such as fingerprints, in glass. Cast glass objects can be as delicate and thin as the stem of a flower, but can also be monumental and solid, weighing several hundred kilos. Glass also allows the creation of sculptural forms where the entire volume of the object, not just the outer surface, can be visible in the finished work. Here one can also employ a variety of colours, ranging from transparent and translucent to opaque and use the flow of the molten material to complement the form of a piece.

Content and Objectives:
The workshop extends established techniques in mould making and glass casting processes through the use of digital tools, including 3D scanning, elements of parametric design and polygon modelling, as well as bringing components back to the workbench through additive manufacturing (focusing on FDM printing). The aim is to provide participants with foundational technical knowledge and to develop an understanding of combined approaches that can serve as a basis for further exploration and development beyond these workshop sessions with regard to their own artistic work.

In addition to these technical aspects, which will be taught by Marlene Bart (TURBA e.V.) and Alan Horsley (Bärenglas), we will discuss energy consumption and sustainability. Most of the concepts and workflows presented in the workshop are also applicable to free and/or open source software as well as professional programmes such as Rhino and ZBrush. Smartphone scanning technologies and professional scanning tools will also be used and compared.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• • Gain further insight into the technical considerations of glass casting.

• • Identify and work to resolve technical challenges using practical solutions supported via digital tools.

• • Reflect on methods for transferring their existing digital design skills (2D or 3D) into a structured yet creative making workflow.

• • Expand their glass casting experience with digital planning and production techniques.

• • Discover new creative perspectives and possibilities through combining digital and analog processes.

Application Deadline:
Interested applicants are invited to send a short description of their artistic practice (portfolio with 4-5 works), proof of completed art studies and a letter of motivation for participation in the workshop (1 page DIN A4) to mail@turba-art.com by 8th of June 2025 at the latest. Applications are welcomed in both German and English.

Practical Information:

• • Freely available software tools such as FreeCAD and Blender will be used, along with commercial programs like Rhino and ZBrush, for which free evaluation versions are available..

• • Each participant should bring their own laptop capable of running CAD software. We recommend 64-bit Intel or AMD processor (no ARM), recommended RAM of at least 8 GB, 5 GB hard drive capacity, a graphics card suitable for OpenGL 4.5 and a graphics card of at least 4 GB. In addition, please bring the following:
    • • One USB stick with at least 8GB capacity
    • • Analogue note-taking equipment (workbenches where we are using plaster and wax may not always be the ideal place for an iPad)

• • Basic knowledge of CAD principles is recommended, although proficiency in any particular software package is not required.

• • The workshop will centre around a number of focused practical exercises which introduce key methodologies in both software packages, 3D printing and with plaster and other materials at the workbench. Discussion relating these processes to possible applications in each participant’s practice will be an important part of the workshop, but please be aware this is not a workshop aimed at producing personal projects directly.

• • Essential protective equipment (basic dust masks, nitrile gloves)) will be provided although we welcome and encourage participants to bring their own masks etc. if desired. Please consider bringing clothing suitable for working with materials such as wax and plaster.

• • The workshop will be conducted in both German and English.

Additional information relating to accessing specific software packages as well as support with computer system requirements, further details of personal protective equipment and other specifics will be communicated to successful applicants for the workshop together with their letter of acceptance.

This workshop is made possible by the Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung, Munich.

The Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung is a non-profit foundation based in Munich that promotes contemporary art and science. In the sphere of art, the foundation focuses on contemporary photography as well as contemporary sculptures and installations using the medium of glass. Together with universities, glass schools, academies and associations, it is constantly working on the further development of training programmes for artists working in these areas. The workshop offered here has been developed by TURBA e.V. in co-operation with the foundation.

https://atstiftung.de/