Art Glass: Looking at the Basics

Sure, art glass can be beautiful, but why does it cost so much? Aren't some of those pieces just glorified Coke bottles? Absolutely not. The process of forming beautiful creations from molten-globs-on-the-end-of-a-stick is all about timing and vision, where a split second can make the difference between a perfect vase and an unintentional tribute to Salvador Dali. Aimed at collectors and fans of art glass, Kathleen Gaffney's Art Glass answers the common question “how do they do that?” by exploring the processes of glass formation, adding color(s), blowing, sandblasting, the painted graal technique, flamework, casting, and fusing, with a further look at some of the tools of the art--primarily a lot of space and very hot ovens (some facilities cost as much as $100,000). These pieces aren't just glass poured into molds, but a combination of (to paraphrase the Velvet Underground) bright light and bright heat, a breath of air, and lots of motion. Watching the fascinating process of form emerging from the orange-and-red-hot shapeless blobs, one is actually reminded of the stories regarding Earth's creation. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Block)