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Artefacts of Remembrance: First prize in Milan glass competition

Published: 16.6.2026

CoDe student Ariane Carde wins first prize in the Milano Vetro Under 35 competition.

Woman holding papers at a modern sculpture exhibition in a grand hall with tapestries and large windows

Aalto University student Ariane Carde, from the Contemporary Design Department (CoDe), has won first prize in the Biennial of International Artistic and Design Glass, the Milano Vetro Under 35 competition. The project was developed in the Glass Challenge course under the guidance of Sara Hulkkonen, where Carde created Artefact of Remembrance, a thoughtful work exploring memory, absence and the grieving process through glass. The glass workshop maters of Aalto, Zachary Compton and Slate Grove, collaborated with Carde for the production.

Five frosted glass blocks with abstract forms on a grey gradient background, Italian award text above and below. — Photo by Anne Kinnunen

The international competition is organised by the Museums of the Sforza Castle of the City of Milan and is open to young artists and designers under 35. This year’s jury recognised Carde’s project for its poetic concept and strong technical execution. As part of the award, the work will be acquired by the museum and added to the permanent collection of Castello Sforzesco.

Artefact of Remembrance uses 3D scanning, sand-casting and polishing to transform selected body parts into glass forms that hold both presence and absence. The project invites the viewer to reflect on how glass can preserve memory and give shape to what remains after loss.

Gloved worker shaping bright orange molten glass sphere in a sand mould with metal shears — Process of Artefacts of Remembrance by Ariane Carde

Translucent orange face mould set in wet resin, surrounded by grey sand or dust. — Process of Artefacts of Remembrance by Ariane Carde, Photo: Anne Kinnunen

Historic brick castle courtyard with round tower, arched windows and stone paving under a blue sky — Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Italy. Photo by Ariane Carde

Carde said the award felt like “a very important personal and professional milestone,” and described the jury’s response to her work as especially meaningful. She added that the recognition made her proud to be among the creatives the museum considers worthy of exhibiting.

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Shimber's decorative wooden blocks and cones with floral and mosaic patterns

Cooperation, University Published: 24.8.2026

Would you like a small piece of future design history — shimmering wood?

Coming to the Aalto University Shop this September: a limited batch of 20 unique, handmade works by Shimber, crafted entirely from wood. Each piece is finished with Shimber’s wood‑based structural colour — a material that makes the surface shimmer and come alive with the light.