Joe Cariati: Mid-Century Modern Glass Artistry

Makers

16 Oct

Written By Anca Enica

Portrait of Joe Cariati standing in his glassblowing studio. — **people • makers**

Award-winning artist, craftsman, and educator Joe Cariati has spent over 25 years mastering the art of glassblowing. As a designer, maker, and mentor, his work is a unique fusion of precision and beauty. While Joe values the consistency and structure of the glassblowing process, it’s the unpredictable emotions—ranging from elation to frustration—that fuel his creativity. In 2003, he founded his namesake studio in Los Angeles, where he continues to evolve his craft, constantly pushing the boundaries of both his design and technique.
**WEBSITE:** **joecariati.com** **INSTAGRAM:** **@joecariati**

Words: designeers
OCTOBER 2024

DESIGNEERS

Could you please give us a quick introduction? Describe what you create:

CARIATI

I’m a glassblower based in Los Angeles, CA USA. My interests and glass work revolve around mid-century modern aesthetics mixed with a Venetian style glass blowing practice. I produce modern bottles, decanters and vessels, typically in one color, that have novel proportions and evoke a feeling of being light and airy. Produced entirely by hand with a small team that assists me, there are no molds used in the process. Each piece is blown in the span of about 20-30 minutes, however my process has taken decades to refine. I strive for perfection via a relentless, invigorating, and rhythmic practice.

DESIGNEERS

Tell us how you got started in this field? What drew you to this type of art?

CARIATI

I found glassblowing in the Art Department at San Francisco State University. I watched a student blow glass, and simply thought, “I have to try that”, and that was it for me; hooked, done, game over. I knew that this molten material would be in my life forever. Akin to any type of skill-based practice (we are talking a minimum of 10,000 hours to be decent) glassblowing provided everything I was looking for, then and now.

I’m a linear thinker and a double Virgo which plays an instrumental role in my work resulting in precise, clean, and distinct symmetrical objects. The practice of blowing glass will forever drive my internal interests as a relentless pursuit of practice to perfection, endless learning, and endless possibilities.

Colourful mid-century inspired handblown glass bottles.

Artistic amber glass bottle with a blurred effect.

DESIGNEERS

Describe your favourite pieces you’ve created to date and how they have shaped you as an artist.

CARIATI

In the beginning of my journey, I was working as a “Gaffer” for other glass artists. Working for others is the best way to gain skill. Being a Gaffer means that you are the lead glassblower; running the team, acting as a facilitator for the Artist on site, helping to realise their vision and creating work for them.

Simultaneously, I moved into an amazing warehouse loft, and began to collect furnishings and collectibles from the Mid-Century Modern era. I spent time scouring books, visiting vintage shops, and learning everything I could about the designers, their approach and absolutely falling in love with the aesthetic, and then it hit me, I wanted to create what I felt was missing from this era or could exist in harmony with the objects I was obsessed with.

I created the Angelic Bottle Collection. It was the first collection that I designed, out of pure interest, and then, absolute necessity. I started with 3 styles of bottles, in 4 colors. Today the Angelic Bottle Collection continues to evolve and challenge me as a maker.

DESIGNEERS

What do you feel is the most challenging part of being an artist?

CARIATI

Running a business is the most challenging part for me in being an Artist. It is rare for university art departments to include an entrepreneurial curriculum, and being released into the business world proved to be my largest and longest learning curve. It takes years to become a fluid, adaptable and profitable entrepreneur. The challenge is ever changing too, especially in terms of sales channels and social media landscapes; these are constantly evolving.

My business continues to challenge and energize me everyday.

Collection of cobalt blue handblown glass bottles.

Close-up of a glassblowing process with fire.

Shadows and reflections of amber glass bottles on white surface.

“The practice of blowing glass will forever drive my internal interests as a relentless pursuit of practice to perfection, endless learning, and endless possibilities.”

cariati

DESIGNEERS

What does a typical day look like in the studio?

CARIATI

I arrive an hour or two before my team, when the studio atmosphere is contemplative and quiet. From here, glass color is set up for the day, I create lists of work to be produced, fire up furnaces and set up tools. My team arrives soon after and we meet to discuss the workflow for the day. Once in production, we complete about 20 pieces per day, this can be bottles, decanter bodies, stoppers, and or color samples. At the end of the production day, it’s time to handle emails, ordering of supplies, quality control of work from the day before, and or packing and shipping.

DESIGNEERS

What’s the best mistake you have ever made?

CARIATI

Not going to graduate school. I think that for quite some time I was pressured by my mentors and felt like I had to attend graduate school in the name of making Art and continuing my university teaching career. It is clear now; it was not the path I was meant to take. I love academia, but at the same time, being involved in the interior design world is more fulfilling for me as a maker, mentor and business owner.