MAJORCAN MANIFEST

for the promotion of the artistic and artisanal glass sector

The undersigned, gathered in the factory of Gordiola (Algaida, Majorca), on October 16th and 17th 2023, for the celebration of the 2nd INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY GLASS CONFERENCE. GLASS IN THE 21ST CENTURY in view of the need to promote artistic and artisanal glass as a professional activity and representative manifestation of intangible cultural heritage, continuing the desire to go on with the spirit of collaboration undertaken by the participants of the 1st Meeting, held in Valencia (National Museum of Ceramics and Sumptuous Arts “González Martí” and La Nau, 28 February and 1 March 2022) on the occasion of the International Year of Glass and the celebration of the exhibition The Emergence of Contemporary Glass. Remembering ‘VICOINTER ’83’”:

MANIFEST:

1. They recognise the need to deepen into the history of glass from the Ancient Age to the present days, to learn more about the roots of artisanal glass work, of its techniques and of researching on the multiple manifestations that are found in the world of the contemporary art, in that of the design and in the artistic creation in general.

2. They are firmly committed to quality and stable regulated training in the various educational fields: vocational training, artistic training (intermediate and higher) and academic university education, to ensure the transfer of glass-related trades to future generations, so that improved employment in the sector minimises the risk of loss of this craft tradition.

3. They require the consolidation of strategies for the transmission of the trade based also on specialized training that contemplates the transfer of knowledge through courses of history, design and training in the different glass specialities.

4. They support the promotion of actions aimed at observation, research and innovation related to artistic and artisanal glass in universities, technological centres and other related entities to provide a broad theoretical framework on these subjects. They also encourage the establishment and dissemination of knowledge in all disciplines, taking into account new technologies.

5. They advocate quality production in artisan workshops, where design and attention to new trends create sustainable lines of work and marketing tools adapted to local and tourist demand in each environment. Ad hoc market studies will provide a reliable analysis of the reality leading to the strengthening of the productive sector, through the association of networks and its close link with other similar creative activities leading to joint actions in favour of glass.

6. Its interest in the economic promotion of the sector through the adoption of measures to promote the creation and consolidation of glass-related companies in their different professional specialties. This will facilitate their access to relevant markets and their interest in recognizing this professional activity in the artistic and artisanal glass sector. The process of evaluating and accrediting professional skills through professional experience will contribute to the dignification of the sector and its active professionals.

7. They demand the implementation of public policies that result in sector innovation, sustainability, recycling and excellence in production. In this way, the encounter between art, industry and design will be generated by academic entities, innovation agencies, administrations and other related agents.

8. To consider it is necessary to adopt financing strategies and subsidy policies at the local, regional, national and international levels aimed at promoting the meeting of related glass cultures in the world and raising the standard of living of artisans, designers, researchers, artists and experts in each specialty.

9. The need to promote dissemination campaigns and greater visibility of glass professionals in all their production and artistic variants in order to increase their competitiveness and knowledge by society. The attendance at fairs and presence in art galleries, exhibiting and participating in collecting markets and national and international events of special relevance. They will provide forums for discussion and promotion of these disciplines.

10. They pursue to encourage the general public and specialists in the world of art and crafts to appreciate more and more the works made with this versatile material. Its technical and aesthetic characteristics make it a valuable cultural heritage legacy.

11. They seek to obtain a more precise understanding of the physio-chemical characteristics of glass and its technical work characteristics to be able to assess how to preserve and restore, when necessary, the cultural glass objects kept in museums, public and private buildings or areas exposed to the outdoors.

12. They call for a clearer definition of the legal framework for action to protect artisan glass productions, sculptures, installations and any other creative manifestation made of glass which is liable to be misappropriated, sometimes due to their location in common areas or outdoors.

13. Urging the establishment of protocols of international cooperation, through competent international bodies such as UNESCO or NGOs set up within it such as ICOM, in particular its international committee ICOM-GLASS, in order that the glass may enjoy the legal protection that corresponds to it and its safeguarding is exercised through the declarations that apply to that effect by the responsible bodies.

14. Its intention to promote the creation of a documentation and training centre for artistic and artisanal glass in Majorca and to continue working for the recognition of problems and the joint search for solutions for the benefit of glass.

15. Its unconditional support for the joint nomination proposed for the inclusion of glass techniques on the UNESCO Representative List as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

MANDATE: 

For all of the above, they request that the proposals contained in this MANIFESTO OF MAJORCA for the promotion of the artistic and artisanal glass sector be elevated, by the Organizing Committee of the 2nd MEETING, to the Spanish authorities and the competent international bodies for their knowledge and dissemination on their social networks. It will also be extended to the media they deem appropriate to promote ad hoc policies in support of glass.

(The manifest has been signed in person by more than 60 people during the event.)