The King of recycling – Erwin Timmers – heads off this week to Cincinnati’s Brazee Studio, where he will be giving an artist talk on his work on exhibit in the show “Another Man’s Treasure” currently at Gallery One One. The talk is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 5:00 pm.
Erwin Timmers’ use of recycled glass is featured in his Going Green class.
While in Cincinnati, Erwin will be teaching a class on using recycled glass – click HERE for more details of the classes held at Brazee Street Studios.
Cincinnati, Ohio, home of WKRP.
And of Cincinnati style chili (made with unusual seasonings such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice or chocolate. And served over spaghetti doused with shredded cheese.!)
Dark patches visible across much of the northern Martian hemisphere aren’t canals or vegetation, as once thought, but glasscreated by volcanic action according to a new study. The discovery by Briony Horgan and James Bell from ArizonaStateUniversity, provides evidence of the same sort of processes seen on Earth, also happening on the Red Planet.
Dark areas are thought to be volcanic glass. Credit: NASA/University of Arizona.
Using near infrared spectroscopic data collected by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter, Horgan and Bell found widespread weathered volcanic glass covering the surface of the Martian lowlands.
“The volcanic glass was created when hot magma reacted explosively with ice or water,” says Horgan. “The same sort of thing happens in Iceland, where volcanoes erupt under glaciers. The interaction with the ice and the water causes the magma to become super-explosive, creating tons of sand sized black particles…”We see these dark plains and enormous glassy sand dune fields up in the northern Martian polar regions”
Horgan and Bell also found evidence of dips in the spectrum consistent with weathering caused by the glass being exposed to acidic water.
Their finding, which appear in the journal Geology, represents the first detection of widespread surface weathering during the Amazonian epoch — the most recent of the three Martian geologic periods. Click HERE to read about it in the Huffington Post
Mars may have glass, but what it needs is a more feminine touch.
>The new Glass School schedule is out – have a looky-loo at the lineup!
April – August 2012 Class Schedule
Class 1301- Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend
Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of a professional glass artist you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects… this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass… and you will leave with several very cool items! Offered 2 times in the Winter session. Instructors Mick Coughlan Dates Offered twice this summer : Session 1301A– June 16/17 Session 1301B– Aug 18/19 Time 1pm to 5pm each day Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)
Class 1302- Steel and Glass Sculptural Development
For this incredible class, we are teaming up with our sister school at DC GlassWorks to form this amazing collaborative experience. For anyone who has dreamed of creating true sculptural work, this is the class for you! This unusual class will feature 5 Sunday workshops, some discussing sculptural theory, while most are simply hands on with material in both studios. Students will be introduced to the basics of metal working, glass casting and fusing, and aluminum casting. This class is designed for anyone from beginner to the most advanced, no prior knowledge of glass, steel or aluminum are necessary. (An 18″ height restriction will be imposed on all pieces).
Instructors: Dave D’Orio, Erwin Timmers
Dates: Sunday Afternoons in May (6, 13, 20, 27)/June (3)
Times: 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition : $450
Class 1303-Glass Lighting For Your Home
This class will bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is yet another installment in the popular lighting series, and will focus on ceiling lamps. You will design your own glass, create your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition includes mold materials, glass, and mounting hardware. Some glass experience is useful, but not necessary and electrical experience will be provided.
Instructor: Erwin Timmers Dates: Wednesday evenings in May/June (30, 6, 13) Time: 7 to 9:30 pm Tuition: $350
Class 1304- Elements Of 21st Century Reliquaries
Reliquaries with internal healing objects have been important cultural objects for centuries. They have been made with a wide variety of materials. But what makes a reliquary in the 21stcentury? What elements can go inside? Which materials seem most appropriate in modern times?
In this class we will utilize clay and glass to explore current concepts in reliquary forms. This class will be split between a clay and kiln cast glass studio, allowing each participant the use of both materials and many techniques. There will be a wine and cheese reception at the end of this workshop to allow friends to see the work in a professional setting.
Instructors : Tim Tate/Novie Trump
Dates : Sat/Suns in July/Aug (July 14,15,21,22,28,Aug 4,11)
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $600
Class 1305 – Bas Relief In Glass (An Overview of Dry Plaster Casting)
Tired of working flat? Want an easy way to get some real depth into your glass? Here’s a fun class where you will learn one of the easiest methods of kilncasting sheet glass to achieve bas-relief sculpture. This incredibly versatile method has endless fine art and architectural applications. In this two day class, we will discuss different types of glass and their firing schedules. Working with color and how it can affect dimensional casting will also be explored. Bring items you may want to cast with this method or choose from our image library. All materials and firings included.
Instructors : Michael Janis Dates : Sats – June 2nd and 9th Time : 2 pm to 5 pm Tuition : $300
Class 1306- Open Studio – Work At Your Own Pace
Already know the basics of casting or fusing? Open Studio gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio. Tuition includes a kiln firing per session, clear base glass and colored scrap glass, use of studio tools.
Instructor : Studio Staff Dates : Wed/Thurs/Sat afternoons (call to confirm appointment) Time : 1pm to 5pm Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions
Tim Tate has an update on the James Renwick Alliance trip to Penland. Its First Come – First Served, and 10 have already signed up – there are 10 slots are left! Have a look at the description of the tour:
Hey There…
The most enjoyable trip I have ever taken was to Penland School of Crafts, outside of Asheville, North Carolina. This area of the country is dense with amazing artists. You may know my work, but you may not know what Penland and the artists in the Asheville area have meant to my career. I first attended a class at Penland in 1989. Thus began my lifelong relationship with this spectacular school and the generous artists who surrounded it. Here is a link to an article that goes into depth on why I have such a strong commitment to this area.
A central focus of the trip I am planning for the James Renwick Alliance will be attending Penland’s 27th Annual Benefit Auction, featuring the sale of over 200 craft items and the centerpiece of a gala weekend in the North Carolina mountains. The Penland auction is one of the premier craft collecting events in the Southeast, and it is a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally, we will be visiting the studios of some of the most talented artists in and around Asheville. This will honestly be the best five-day excursion you have ever taken (at least I’m gonna’ try to make it that way)!
Here is an outline of events:
Wednesday, August 8 – Arrive at the Inn at Little Switzerland, our base for this trip.
Thursday, August 9 – Visit the studios of ceramist Michael Sherrill, wood art sculptor Stoney Lamar, metalsmith Hoss Haley and bookmaker Dan Essig, finishing at Blue Spiral Gallery in Ashville.
Friday, August 10 – Visit the studios of ceramist Christina Cordova and her husband, glass-maker Pablo DeSato; the Penland Gallery, featuring work by artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts. Our last stop is at Penland for a cocktail party, exhibition preview, silent auction, dinner, live auction, dessert, party, live music and dancing.
Saturday, August 11 – Start with coffee at The Barns at Penland, shows by both the resident and Core students at Penland, silent auction, lunch, live auction, and a reception at the Penland Gallery. Two major works will be the big spotlight, one by Beth Lipman, and the other by Dan Clayman – both stunning! After the auction, we will head back to the Inn at Little Switzerland for a lovely farewell cocktail and dinner party, where you will be able to swap stories with the new friends you made on this spectacular trip.
Sunday, August 12 – Time to go home. Transfers are offered to the airport, if needed.
Cost of the trip is $525 for members and $625 for non-members, which includes a $100 non-refundable tax-deductible contribution to the James Renwick Alliance.The cost of the trip covers airport transfers (if needed), one welcome dinner, Penland ticket to four auctions, coffee, one lunch and one dinner.
Participants will be responsible for the cost of their hotel room, breakfasts at the hotel, 2 lunches and 2 dinners, travelers insurance and airline tickets or car rental fees. Ground transportation will be by car. Those who want to drive down from Washington, DC can share on-site transportation with those who choose to fly down. Hotel rates are from $199-189 per room, and each person is responsible for hotel reservations. Details on reservations will be available once deposits are made.
Confirmations will be sent out once deposits are made.A depositof $250 is due by June 1, and final payment of $275 ($375 for non-members) is due by July 2.Hotel cancellation fees apply and are the responsibility of the individual. Invitations from Penland will be mailed in early June. Refunds will be based on expenses incurred minus the $100 non-refundable tax-deductible contribution to the James Renwick Alliance. No refunds will be given once final payment is made or benefit tickets have been purchased. Cancellations must be in writing.
Love you all,
Tim Tate
Tour Organizer
James Renwick Alliance Board of Directors
To register for the Penland trip, please fill out the registration formand send it to the James Renwick Alliance by email atadmin@jra.org, fax at (301) 907-3855 or mail to the office at 4405 East West Highway, Suite 510, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Vanderbilt University’s Critical Care TowerNurse Stations
Ardent readers of the Washington Glass School blog will remember earlier posting about theVanderbilt University, where the University’s new Critical Care Tower installed kilnformed glass panels.The project has expanded and additional floors were designed to incorporate more of the kilnformed glass panels in new areas, each with the floating leaf motif.The leaf is the symbol of Vanderbilt University and the oldest part of the Vanderbilt campus is known for its abundance of trees and green space. The campus was designated as a national arboretum in 1988. The imagery of swirling leaves were always part of the design of thecustom glassarchitectural panels. Mick Coughlan and Erwin Timmers worked on the creation of the new series of glass panels – some shots of the panels in progress:
Mick Coughlan gives the glass set into the kiln one last clean. The deep-relief dry plaster kiln casting method is used to create the panels.
Erwin Timmers edge polishes the glass panels. Dousing everything with water.
After the edge polishing Mick & Erwin’s glass edge grinding, impromptu dryers (aka hot kilns) sported wet clothing.
>Public art is part of the restoration of the historic Howard Theater in Washington, DC.
The Howard Theater was a Beaux Arts Style theater built in Washington, DC in 1910. During its hayday it catered to African American clientele and was an extension of U Street’s “Black Broadway”. Many famous performance artists came through the Howard including Duke Ellington, Danny Kaye, Abbott and Costello, Pearl Bailey, Buddy Holly, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown and the Flames, Otis Redding, Lena Horne, Lionel Hampton, Redd Fox and Chuck Brown – so many amazing shows!
The theater closed in 1980 and has sat empty for the past 30 years. The D.C. Preservation League listed it among the District’s Most Endangered Places in 2002. The renovation and restoration work that began five years ago is just about complete but for a few finishing touches and the reopening is scheduled for next week.
The sculpture will be the building’s crowning finial – replacing the original “Apollo” sculpture that was lost long ago.
Artist Brower Hatcher and his team at Mid-Ocean Studios won the commission to create a public art installation at the Howard Theater. Installation of “Jazz Man” sculpture to the facade of the Howard Theater is this weekend, with a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on April 9, 2012.
Initial concept of “Jazz Man” sculpture by Brower Hatcher in 2007.
Brower’s eight foot sculpture called “Jazz Man” is the image of a man holding a trumpet formed by a scaffold-like metal frame. The framework is painted in the sculptor’s favorite color – blue. “They call it Brower blue,” Brower said, “Blue works particularly well because as a color it’s quite transparent. Certainly against the sky, it almost absorbs light.” That allows the metal frame to almost disappear, as reflective objects attached to the frame and dangling inside make the whole piece sparkle.
Often, it is the practice of Mid-Ocean Studios to work with artists in the cities that they have received commissions and they invited WGS’ master of glass and concrete castings – Sean Hennessey to create the trumpet for the Jazz Man sculpture.
Sean Hennessey’s shop drawing of the Jazz Man’s trumpet – made in cast concrete and glass.
Sean gives an insight into his work as a component of the historic building’s sculpture on his blog Scenic Artisans.
“This is a dream project for me in many ways” said Sean. “The Howard Theater is a building I walk by often. It is only 6 blocks from my house and with both my history in working in theater and my fascination of urban American ruins, I have been very drawn to the space. I have also been looking for ways to get into public art and haven’t yet had the opportunity. This is a great thrill and honor for me. And I’ve been so excited I can hardly stand it!”
Sean created original forms that would then have urethane rubber poured around to create a negative mold.
“The overall trumpet will be in cast concrete -the bell of the trumpet will be glass” said Sean as he outlined his process, “…to create the final piece I will construct a mock up in clay, wood, metal pipe, cut glass, and found pieces, then make a 2 part rubber mold of the maquette … I will fit the glass sections into the rubber mold, add a stainless steel armature, and pour tinted concrete into the void. After the concrete sets up I will demold the piece, clean it up, and seal it.”
Sean pours urethane rubber around the positives he made, creating an accurate mold for the later concrete pour.
After the urethane sets up, the mold is opened to clean and prep for the next stage.
Sean worked with glass artist Dave D’Orio to create the trumpet’s glass flare.
The finished cast concrete and glass trumpet for the sculpture.
The trumpet is integrated into the sculpture at Brower Hatcher’s studio as the work is prepared for the installation atop the refurbished building.
Installation of “Jazz Man” sculpture to the facade of the Howard Theater is this weekend, with a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on April 9, 2012.
“It’s like the Cotton Club inside The Apollo,” said Michael Marshall, partner at Marshall Moya Design, the District-based architectural firm hired to create the theater’s new interior, creating a cabaret-style ambiance, with tables and chairs on the main floor, a balcony with banquettes.The “new” Howard Theater is expected to offer a balance of national events and community performances. The Howard’s future cabaret-style format will host a variety of cultural events and is expected to lead the rebirth of jazz, R&B, soul, blues, and funk in Washington D.C. The theater’s $25 million rebuilding projectwill also feature a museum and gift shop.
The ribbon-cutting, which is open to the public, will be on Monday, April 9 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.You can get a tour of the theater and witness the unveiling of “The Jazz Man”followed by live performances by Robert Thompson & The James Brown Experience Band, along with a host of other talents.
>Susan Taylor Glasgow plans to “support” the Glass Art Society by “lifting” the game of the auction. Her Glass Lingerie Set is part of Laura Donefer’s famed fashion show production that will be part of the the Glass Art Society 2012 Conference (June 13 – 17, 2012 in Toledo, OH). This conference will specially celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement.
Laura Donefer had put a call for wearable glass creations as part of the auctions that provide the finale for the GAS conference. Susan Taylor Glasgow (the little minx) was once a seamstress, and now takes her needle and thread to glass. The award winning artist often references images of domestic bliss and nostalgic imagery to create sculpture that is strangely comforting and unexpected. Click here to jump to Susan’s website.
The UK’s University of Sunderland has published a news report about our visiting Professors Janis and Tate and the Fulbright Scholar program that sent them across the ocean as the World’s Top Scholars. Now that’s a title!
Two of the world’s most renowned glass artists have spoken about their work to students at the University of Sunderland.
Fulbright Scholars Tim Tate and Michael Janis gave a talk and met staff and students at the university’s National Glass Centre this week. The Fulbright Scholarship, founded in 1946, aims to promote cultural understanding through educational exchange. Both artists travelled from Washington DC to work with the Sunderland Creative Cohesion Group, the University of Sunderland and the wider community, to share their glass and ceramics practice and art work.
Michael Janis specialises in layering glass and using glass powder to create pictures, while Tim Tate blends the traditional craft of glass making with new media technology. Both work closely with artists in Washington DC to create public sculpture using the latest glass and ceramics advances.
Professor Kevin Petrie, Glass and Ceramics Team Leader at the university, says: “This is one of several recent visits by distinguished artists and scholars from around the world to the National Glass Centre, reflecting our international status in the fields of creative Glass and Ceramics.
“Tim and Michael offer our students, local schools and representatives from the region’s cultural sector important insights into methods for making glass art, perspectives on the art world in the USA and the work of the Washington Glass Studio where they are co-directors.”
The Washington Glass Studio is focused on providing public art projects and private commissions incorporating glass as a sculptural element, through collaboration with artists working in different media in the US capital.
The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious awards programs worldwide, operating in over 155 countries. Forty-three Fulbright Scholars have won Nobel Prizes, and seventy-eight have won Pulitzer Prizes. More Nobel laureates are former Fulbright recipients than any other award program.
I wanted to take this time to tell you a bit about an upcoming art experience I have organized on behalf of the James Renwick Alliance. Over the years, my favorite and the most enjoyable trips I ever take is to Penland School of Crafts outside of Asheville North Carolina. This area of the country is dense with amazing artists. You may know my work, but you may not know what Penland and the artists in the Asheville area have meant to my career.
I first attended a class at Penland in 1989. It was a survey casting class…the only non-blowing class I could find anywhere in the country. Without hot glass facilities in the Washington region, I wanted to focus my skills towards a different aesthetic…one that I could work with while back at home. Thus began my lifelong relationship with this spectacular school and the generous artists who surrounded it. Here is a link to an article that goes into depth on why I have such a strong commitment to this area.
A central focus of this trip will be attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction, the centerpiece of a gala weekend in the North Carolina Mountains featuring the sale of over 200 craft items. The Penland auction is one of the premier collecting events in the Southeast, and it is a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally,we will be visiting the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville and the region. This will honestly be the best 5 day excursion you have ever taken…at least I’m gonna try to make it that way!. Here is the schedule of events:
Wednesday, August 8
We arrive in at the Inn at Little Switzerland on the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views of the valley…a favorite spot for travelers in this area….either by plane or driving down, your choice. If you come by plane, you would come to Asheville, where we will arrange pick up. Our plan is to share the cars that come down, and caravan to each location. Close to both Asheville and Penland, this will be our base. Our first event will be a Wednesday evening welcome dinner and cocktails at the Inn.
Inn at Little Switzerland
Thursday, August 9th
After a quick bite at the Inn, we leave at 8:30 and head out to see the sites of Asheville and to some amazing artists studios for private tours. Most of these studios are in the surrounding area, but we will end up in the heart of the city. Here is a list of those studios:
Michael Sherrill
Ceramist Michael Sherrill received a visual arts fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council in 1992. His work is in several major collections, including the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina and the Renwick Museum. He has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.
Michael Sherrill
Stoney Lamar Lamar received his BS degree in industrial arts (wood technology) from Appalachian State University. A friend’s borrowed lathe led him away from his original goal to design and build furniture, however, to sculptural woodturning. He apprenticed with Mark and Melvin Lindquist and the year’s experience there freed him from many self-imposed restrictions and limitations of traditional lathe approaches. It opened new avenues and processes for the expression of his aesthetic.
His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, Mint Museum of Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Lunch that day will be at Stoneys restaurant just outside Asheville.
Stoney Lamar
Hoss Haley Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McColl Center for Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and he is represented by the New Gallery of Modern Art in Charlotte, NC. Hoss has been a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Hoss Hailey
Dan Essig Frequently thought of as the pre-eminent book art maker in this country, you will not find any of Daniel Essig’s books on the shelves of a library. These wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Formerly a photographer, Essig is inspired by found objects that he comes across every day. A self-described hoarder, he will incorporate these items—fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork. His studio is located next to the Grove Point Inn, where we will peak in for a quick look at their amazing Stickley Collection.
Dan Essig
Blue Spiral Gallery No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery presents work by exceptional Southern artists and object makers in a beautifully renovated building in the heart of downtown Asheville. The light-filled, 15,000 square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway. This spacious setting allows Blue Spiral 1 to offer considerable diversity, affording accessibility to various tastes and aesthetics.
Blue Spiral Gallery
Now, on to dinner! We are planning our meal at the spectacular Posana Restaurant in the center of Asheville. Then back to the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Posana Restaurant
Friday, August 10th Today we will stay closer to Penland, exploring several studios and then joining in the festivities surrounding the Penland auction, which begin at 3pm with auction previews.
Christina Cordova/Pablo DeSato This husband and wife team have their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself, and are 2 of the most widely known artists on this tour.
De Soto Glass Design was formed around the idea of creating and designing objects that enhance living spaces and environments. As a company we make a wide variety of work. A large portion of what we do revolves around glass blown vessels and functionally oriented works. Lighting design is quickly becoming an influential part of the sum. We also use our facilities and skills for creating glass blown objects for other designers and artists.
Cristina Cordova is a studio artist living in Penland,NC. Originally from Puerto Rico, she received her BA from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and went to earn her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. In 2005 she concluded a three year residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She was the recipient of an American Craft Council Emerging Artist Grant as well as a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship Award.
Christina Cordova
Pablo Sato
Lunch this day will be on grounds at the Penland Dining Hall.
Penland Gallery No trip to Penland would ever be complete without a visit to the Penland Gallery. The Penland Gallery–featuring work by artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts–is a stop worth adding to your trip through Western North Carolina. It is the perfect place to choose a gift, add to your craft collection, or learn about contemporary craft. You will see such artists as Marc Petrovic, Marc Peisser and yours truly, Tim Tate.
Marc Petrovic
Now its on to the auction. It begins at 3pm with the silent auction in the new state of the art facilities in the Print/Letterpress Studio. Dozens of Penland’s artists will be showing there. Then on to a lovely dinner and wine under the beautiful tent overlooking the valley on Penland’s grounds while the main Friday night auction goes on. After this, its back for a quick cocktail at the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Auction Tent under the Penland Sky
Saturday, August 11th The morning begins with coffee and breakfast at The Barns at Penland, where we will be treated to a show by the resident artists here at Penland. Always a highlight and much fun. from the we attend a show given by the Core Students where we will see the work of tomorrows most promising artists. On to the Saturday silent auction and artist chats….then on to the main festivities of the luncheon and live auction. This will definitely be the highlight of the weekend!
Resident Artist Barns at Penland
2 major works will be the big spotlight! One by Beth Lipman, one by Dan Clayman….both stunning!
Beth Lipman
Dan Clayman
After the auction we will head back to the Inn at Little Switzerland, where we will have time to freshen up before a lovely farewell cocktail and dinner party where you will be able to swap stories with the new friends you made on this spectacular trip!
Sunday, August 11th travel day…..those that need a ride to the airport, we will arrange it.
Please give me this opportunity to show you why I hold this area of the country in such high esteem. I guarantee it will be a stupendous trip.
To reserve a space for this trip, its first come and space is limited. Contact Cecie at the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org or call to 301- 907-3888
Tim Tate Co-Director Washington Glass School 3700 Otis St. Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712 WashGlass.com
I was recently advised by a spectacular gallery that while they loved the video reliquary pieces, I should consider doing important work.No offense was meant, and in response I have decided to take that advice to heart with this next project. Important or not…it is a show without constrictions. I did that by separating glass and video for this project. My fascination with miniaturizing still worked for the glass part of my brain…..but the video part of my brain had to abandon glass temporarily.It was the scale of glass that held me back.
In the summer of 2013 I will be presenting an all video exhibit at Washington, DC’s American University’s Katzen Art Center. In one of the rooms I will be presenting an updated version of my video installation “The Waking Dreams Of Magdelena Moliere”.Magdelena is a fictitious character whom you get to know and understand thru her dreams.You enter her world by passing through the portals of shadow and light. These are the pieces I have been working on these last several months.
The portals of shadow and light flank each side of the entrance to Magdelena’s room. They consist of 2 vertical flat video screens with ornate regency frames, one painted a satin black, the other a soft cream. Each is approximately 3 ft by 4ft.
Inside the cream colored Portal Of Light I have a video of slowly roiling clouds surrounded by soft blue electricity. Into this scene drops 3 plumb bobs at different speeds and heights continually unwinding from above , chaotic at first,then finding balance and ascending again.
Inside the satin black Portal Of Shadow I have a video of roiling smoke surrounded by small slow flames. Inside that an image of a glass vase floats up from the bottom and smashes against the top of the video screen into many pieces, which slowly reassemble and descend again to darkness.
If the videos do not work below in this posting, they can be seen on my facebook page under videos.
I find these portals extremely compelling. They have the look and feel of a Victorian painting, while incorporating new media to depict the narrative inherent in the video portals. I plan on investigating this format many times over the next few years.
