Crystal Globes made the traditional way at Moser

Designed by Tono Stano

One of the most beautiful film awards was designed by Tono Stano in 2000. It’s in the shape of a girl standing on her toes, holding a glass globe in her hands. It evokes an Art-Nouveau and Art-Deco style, the same era in which cinematography was born. The statue’s model was Miss Czech Republic finalist Ema Černáková, who had to quite literally put on an artistic performance during the photoshoot. For Tono Stano to achieve the ideal pose, he had her hang upside down. A pulley was then used to hoist her up into the air, almost as if she were flying while holding a gymnastic ball. According to Tono Stano’s drawings and photos, and under his guidance, Martin Krejzlík then modelled the figurine.

After nearly a quarter century, the award underwent a transformation this year. Upon the festival’s request, both its height and weight were reduced. The original statue was 42 cm tall, while the new one is only 34.5 cm. And it once weighed 4.4 kg, but now only 2.6 kg. Also, the diameter of the crystal ball went from 11.5 cm to 9.1 cm. Now the award will be easier to hold and no one will struggle under its weight. “The height and weight change isn’t for something smaller, but rather it was the right change to make. Over time, we learned the statuette needed to be of a more comfortable size, provided it’s an award that shouldn’t be a burden but a delight,” says Tono Stano, who’s opening an exhibit with his photos of film stars on 29 June at the Sparkasse Gallery in Karlovy Vary. He’s collaborated with the festival for 30 years now.

The crystal globes may be smaller, however, their production remains just as challenging. The glassmakers have to load only the purest of molten glass into the furnace and precisely blow the globes into the right dimensions. To ensure it then fits perfectly in the figurine’s hands, the master cutters carve it into the precise shape. And lastly, they apply a careful polish.

^{Glassmaster Jaroslav Bína}

And so the work of Moser glassmakers makes its way into the hands of film stars, travelling with them all over the world. Let’s not forget that a Crystal Globe was taken home by the likes of Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Susan Sarandon, Judi Dench, John Malkovich, and Julianne Moore.

The main heroine of the festival’s music

The statue has become not only a symbol of the festival but also the star of its famous signature tunes. We already saw everything you can do with the award in the humorous video mini-stories featuring multiple winners, including actors and directors such as Danny DeVito, Andy Garcia, Jude Law, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Mel Gibson, Zdeněk Svěrák, Miloš Forman, Věra Chytilová, Jiřina Bohdalová, and Jiří Menzel. This year, American actor and producer Benicio del Toro added his name to those above.

A celebration of mastery

Cooperation between the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and the Moser glassworks comes quite naturally. Both strive for the same things: mastery, art, creativity, and spreading the good name of the Czech Republic around the world.

 ^{Glass cutter Jaroslav Greguš}