Maxim Velčovský is fascinated by the materiality of snow – it falls from the sky and is free for everyone. The creation of a snow vase is the epitome of transience, regionality, euphoria, freedom, timelessness and the uncertainty of shape and design. For three consecutive years (2010, 2011, and 2012), Velčovský modeled vases from snow and poured their shape in plaster. Powder, firn, frozen of melt – the various snows from different places helped create this unique collection. Snow Vases show the imprint of time in the processes of freezing and melting, which often worked against each other during the formation process: while the snow model was melting, the plaster mould hardened.

Maxim Velčovský (* 1976) graduated from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague where, between 2011–2021, he also directed the Ceramics and Porcelain Studio. In 2002 and along with Jakub Berdych, he founded the QUBUS design studio and designed a number of legendary products under its banner. As designer, he enjoys working with various materials, using them in new contexts and challenging the limits of applied art. His work is represented in many museal and private collections around the world, such as the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Victoria Albert Museum in London, the Mudac in Lausanne, Neue Sammlung in Munich, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague and the Museum of Applied Arts in Brno. Since 2011, he holds the position of Artistic Director at Lasvit, in 2020 receiving the prize for the best Creative Director in the world from the Interior Design Best of Year Awards.

The Křehký brand was founded in 2010 by Jana Zielinski and Jiří Macek. It aims to develop on the long tradition of Czech applied arts production. Křehký products interpret the history of hand craft, paying close attention to a high quality of processing and originality. Křehký collaborates with some of the foremost designers from around the world, such as Ineke Hans, Richard Hutten, DECHEM, Lucie Koldová and Maxim Velčovský, all of whom were tasked with a single objective: Create an item which would make you happy and which you would give to someone as a present. All the applied works made of wood, porcelain and glass are created by traditional manufacturing methods right in Czechia.