JAMIE HRABCŮ

Overall

Photography Studio

I am curious about your approach to stained glass. Do you consider it a metaphor for mending broken bonds, or is it rather about acknowledging that relationships cannot be the same as they were before a certain turning point?
A bit of both. Although for me, stained glass is not primarily about restoring things to their original form, but rather about connecting seemingly disparate elements. Every shard of glass is unique in its own way and shape, and only through focused care – further breaking, grinding, and minor adjustments – is it possible to fit them back together and create the final whole. I consider it an acknowledgment of the existence of diversity and, at the same time, an homage to it.

Your work uses the motif of protective elements, such as sliders, spine protectors, and the like. How do you think the meaning of protection changes when you transform their material into fragile materials such as glass or wax?
I love those moments when the original purpose of things is disrupted, their nature is called into question, and their meaning is reinterpreted. What does a particular object actually mean, what does it represent? A glass spine protector loses its function, yet at the same time it finds meaning in establishing connection, regardless of the cracks, and acknowledges vulnerability. 
The original function of the sliders is not to protect against impact, but to signal the lean angle to the riders. By deliberately scraping the slider against the asphalt while turning a corner, it monitors traction and prevents a fall. In
this work, I have made them of wax, as wax is the ideal material for this – its destruction through melting gives the material new form and shape.

Your text often touches on the tension between freedom and discipline, not only in relationships but also in the art of motorcycle riding. How exactly do these aspects relate to you?
A good motorcycle school teaches you that, on the road, you are the more vulnerable party, even if you’re riding a powerful machine. That is why you must anticipate what happens around you and adapt to it. In relationships, we learn that it is good to be empathetic and sensitive, while still maintaining healthy boundaries.
Discipline and freedom do not have to be two opposing concepts; they go hand in hand. It is about listening to the situation, being mindful, and respecting others as well as yourself. Greater confidence – whether stemming from knowing the rules of the road and the terrain’s possibilities, or the dynamics of relationships and our own emotions – allows us to relax. And the most fun part is treating everything as a process, a practice run, a leisurely ride to nowhere.

photo: Polina Davydenko