VESSELS OF MEMORY:
GLASS SHIPS OF SUNDERLAND
BBC RADIO 4 - 7:15PM, SUNDAY 23RD JUNE 2024
A SISTER SOUNDS PRODUCTION FOR BBC RADIO 4
PRODUCER: JAY SYKES
LEAD INTERVIEWEE: AYAKO TANI
MASTERING: JOHN SCOTT
EXEC. PRODUCER: CHANTAL HERBERT
Click here to listen to 'Vessels of Memory: Glass Ships of Sunderland' on BBC Sounds.
Scientific Glassblower and Researcher Dr. Ayako Tani,
holding one of the 'glass ship in glass bottles'
from her collection.
Dive into the history of 'glass ships in bottles'; the changing identity of a post-industrial northern city as told through the eyes of Japanese glass artist Ayako Tani, who is preserving the endangered art of sculpting the hand-crafted glass ships which once put Sunderland on the map.
Following industrial decline in the 1970s and the closure of the Pyrex factory, many of Sunderland's newly redundant scientific glassblowers turned their talents to giftware, and from the ashes of a former glassblowing empire this new booming practice emerged. But today, scientific glassblowing is considered an 'endangered craft', and with Sunderland’s own National Glass Centre now facing imminent closure, the art of glass once again under strain.
After arriving from Tokyo, Japan in 2006 to Sunderland, UK, a city famous for its all-but-lost legacies of shipbuilding and glassblowing, Ayako discovered a passion for documenting the history of 'glass ships in bottles'. 'Vessels of Memory' follows Ayako's journey of discovery, learning from Sunderland's now mostly retired glassworkers and engineers who once pioneered these ornamental giftware ships sold worldwide.
Ayako was inspired to research and recreate her own ‘glass ships in bottles’, and keep the memory of this once booming industry alive. Hear the deconstruction of a ‘glass ship in bottle’, as Ayako guides you through experiences that have shaped her journey exploring and learning this fragile, endangered heritage, alongside those who taught and inspired her.
Initial recordings at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland.
Norman is demonstrating the flame-working process, and the different intensities involved for different parts of the process.
Dr. Ayako Tani (right), pictured with the glassblowers who she trained from when researching her 'Vessels of Memory' thesis.
Featuring the voices of:
KEITH CLARK - The Glass Works Ltd.
CATHERINE FORSYTH - Artist & Glassblower
ZOË GARNER - Glass Artist / Flameworker
KEITH HARTLEY - K Craft Glass
JO HOWELL - Photographic Artist
BRIAN JONES - Wearside Glass Sculptures
JAMES MASKREY - Senior Technician in Glass
JOSEPH PERCY - Glass Artist
CHRISTINE SINCLAIR - Glass Artist
AYAKO TANI - Glass Artist & Researcher
Meet the Production Team
JAY SYKES - PRODUCER
"Creating 'Vessels of Memory' was a terrifically rewarding experience, but also a stressful effort to bring together; I'd recorded 30+ hours of audio with the many contributors. But over time, the narrative began to fall together in the edit, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together.
"The documentary is a testament not only to Ayako's incredible depth of research into 'Glass Ships in Glass Bottles' and the changed landscape of Sunderland's glassblowing industry, but also the strength of her connections with the glassblowers and glass artists in this community.
"I particularly love the sequence where we briefly visit the mountains in Japan. Listen out for the crunching snowy footsteps that 'pay respect to the mountain', in the same way as Ayako pays respect to the glass."
CHANTAL HERBERT - DIRECTOR OF SISTER SOUNDS
Chantal Herbert is the founder of production company SISTER SOUNDS, a Charles Parker Prize winner, and a keen advocate for the rights of women and non-binary People of Colour. Much of Chantal’s work, including her BBC Radio 4 documentary OUTSIDER SISTERS, centres around the amplification of marginalised voices.
“I have spent half of my 40 years living in the North East, so much so that I now feel that this is much more my home than anywhere else. I have noticed the disparity of voices and stories heard on National radio, and I am making it my mission to change this in some small way. Championing and amplifying the voices of this most marginalised is my central focus. As an intersectionality marginalised person, I understand the need for this focus, and I am delighted to have the ability to bring these stories to others.”
Chantal graduated from the University of Sunderland with a master’s degree in Radio, and a from Northumbria University with a BA in Media Production (specialism in scriptwriting). She also regularly DJs, engages in public speaking, and organises events.
JOHN SCOTT (WE SEE SOUND) - MASTERING
Engineer, producer, and lover of all things audio. JOHN (WE SEE SOUND) has over 10 years experience working with audio across podcasts, radio, games, moving image, T.V. and feature films - including station imaging, sound design, location recording, and live sound.
"I can work with the following DAWs - Sadie 6, Pro Tools Ultimate, Cubase/Nuendo, Reaper & Audition. I've also been a part of award-winning teams, winning BAFTAs, New York Festival Awards, and Student Radio Awards."
