René Küng

, Active People
Works with Alex Hochstrasser
Improvised on the form of a popular child’s toy, and created a blown functional flask that mixes liquids through the top’s spinning action.
René Küng GlassLab design program
Swiss, b. 1934
I never really saw a setup like this with really being close to the melted glass. I'm interested in all kind of glass techniques, but this was now even more impressive when you're so close and you feel that intense material; the heat. So, it was much more impressive than I could have imagined.

René Küng was born in Switzerland in 1934. Küng’s early career was as a sports instructor and a pioneer in kite sailing. In 1984, his engagement with movement and play led him to start a small toy store in Basel. This evolved into a distribution company for yo-yos and juggling accessories, and eventually became known as ACTIVE PEOPLE. ACTIVE PEOPLE is a company focused on developing and marketing innovative and sustainable toys that get people to play, move, explore and dream.

ACTIVE PEOPLE has expanded into more than 50 countries worldwide. Awards include the 2002 Swiss Product Design Award, the 2003 Professional's Choice Award for the “Best Cutting-Edge Toy,” the British 2006 Good Toy Award for “Toy of the Year,” the 2008 ITSA Best Product Gold Award, and the American 2010 “Preschool Toy of the Year” Award.

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Videos: 

During Art Basel in June, 2011, GlassLab presented at the Vitra Design Museum. Designer René Küng of Active People describes working at GlassLab during this event.

See the glass top spin an oil and vinegar salad dressing.

Events
GlassLab at Vitra Design Museum 2011
Art Basel/Vitra Design Museum |
June 14 - 19, 2011
The Vitra Design Museum and The Corning Museum of Glass partnered together during Art Basel 2011 to provide GlassLab on the Vitra campus. International designers, like Stephen Burks, Sigga Heimis,... more
Process: 
René Küng GlassLab design program with glass cane
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
Prototypes by designer René Küng at GlassLab at Art Basel 2011
Prototypes by designer René Küng at GlassLab at Art Basel 2011
Prototypes by designer René Küng at GlassLab at Art Basel 2011
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
René Küng GlassLab design program
Prototypes: