Glas Italia
“Sturm und Drang”

Series｜Mirrors as Art

Part 5

What’s going on with this mirror frame?

What on earth is going on…?
That’s the only thing I could say.

The clear, transparent glass… brings to mind the kind of delicate patterns you might see on the frames of artworks in a museum—expressed entirely through glass.

(I don’t quite have the right words for it.)

“This must be something the Snow Queen made with magic, right?”
Nope — it was made by Glas Italia.

“It’s ice, isn’t it?”
Nope — it’s glass.

It wouldn’t be surprising if a conversation like that actually happened—
the piece has a beauty so pure, it feels almost sacred.

The graceful play of light and shadow feels like the Snow Queen herself carved them with magic.

(In reality, it was designed by Piero Lissoni, and this stunning frame is made from Murano glass.)

My eyes—my eyes! I’m completely spellbound!

(Yes, that was a Laputa reference.)

Perhaps it’s because, despite the classically organic form, all color has been stripped away—
allowing the crisp square mirror at the center to boldly assert its presence.

The final impression? Purely modern life.
Classical ornamentation becomes something that shines in a contemporary setting.

And yet, from the very day it’s installed,
it’s sure to transform the entire space into a moment of awe.

Some of you may already know that “Sturm und Drang” was also the name of a literary movement in late 18th-century Germany, led by writers like Goethe and Schiller.

Translated directly from German, it means “storm and urge” or “storm and stress” in English.

In Japanese, it is often rendered as “疾風怒濤” (shippū-dotō)—a phrase evoking intense emotion and upheaval.

I can’t help but wonder about the story behind this name—and how each of you might interpret the connection between that phrase and this mirror.

This article includes images and videos sourced from official brand materials and public media. Some content may also include original photography or video taken by the author.
© Industria Vetraria Emar SRL (Glas Italia) and original media by the author (where applicable) – This feature is part of an editorial project focused on design, space, and aesthetic perspective, and is not intended for direct commercial promotion.

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