In the vast world of glass, three artists have had a major impact on the way we see the medium as an art form. These three artists, Tapio Wirkkala, Gianni Toso and Henry Halem, helped pioneer new methods and ideas in this complex field. Tapio Wirkkala was a highly versatile Finnish artist born in 1915. His work ranges from glass and metalwork to jewelry and furniture. for mass production. During his career, he was the artistic director of the Helsinki University of Arts and Design for many years. He is rather known for his work in the Finnish glassmaking company Ittala. Many of his glass pieces feature icicle-like shapes, and Wirkkala reportedly spent thousands of hours developing a technique to master this effect. These shapes mimic the essence of the ice formations found in his native country. Stylistically, Wirkkala's work tends to veer towards the geometric side of the spectrum. His ships create a sense of space that can only be captured through the use of geometric shapes and strange angles. Private collectors who donate the pieces to museums and...