|
|
The world's longest glassmaking demonstration...
Other News
Subscribe to newsletter
| 4 Dec 2012 |
When Allister Malcolm, resident glass artist at Broadfield House Glass Museum and part of the Stourbridge Glass International Collection, decided to proceed with his seemingly crazy idea of attempting the world’s longest glassmaking demonstration, it was driven by a few emotions.
Suddenly, as part of a growing glass festival being held locally, to which international glass artists from across the globe had been invited, he wanted to prove that the diversity and strength of Stourbridges’ own glass making skills, is not just surviving but thriving.
All too often we agreed, towns like Stourbridge, with its 400 year glass history and able to celebrate more than 50 years of studio, architectural and interiors glass creation, became more reliant on their history than their future. So the challenge set to the participating artists was to not just make simple ‘demo pieces’ but to create new objects and pieces that no-one would have ever seen before. Simple?!
Glass artists like challenges, at least ‘ours’ do, hence imagination, creativity, diversity in the pieces, techniques and skills, that constantly extended and demolished barriers for this intriguing material, were displayed during the 27 hours.
With typically 2 hours making / performing slots, some of the artists began working on their designs many months before and completed the final processes ‘live’ and under pressure of a genuinely knowledgeable audience and lots of people who were seeing glass made for the first time.
I took time out to interview many of the glass artists and this can be as fascinating and intriguing as the pieces they create. Ask a simple question such as “why do you make glass?” and you get entirely different responses such as………
“To be simply enjoyed”, “to define who I am”, “to test the limits of myself and the materials”, “to constantly intrigue and appeal”, “to constantly test the ambiguity of the materials” and by further contrast, as one of our artists once said, “ to put my name up in lights – eat my dust!”
As I have mentioned, this was not just a demonstration, making simple pieces; 30-40 fine glass creations, ranging in prices up to £1200 ($1900) were made and will shortly be auctioned in aid of the British Glass Foundation, with an estimated value of more than £8000 ($13000).
See some of these fabulous images covering glass in blown, drawn, cast, fused, carved, cameo and engraved forms and combinations thereof. Notice the use of colour, gold and silver leaf, text inclusions and messages.
See the inspirations of the Ocean, marine life, the countryside, nature, shape, colour and form and marvel how this sharing of imagination, creativity, skill and dedication transforms itself into pieces for people to enjoy. Imagine how you can find all of these attributes at 3am in the morning, or when you see the timing clock ticking past 24 hours and you are twirling a liquid at more than 1000 degrees in your hand!
Whatever reactions these images create, we hope you will agree that with skills like these, the future of Stourbridge Glass is in safe hands.
Perhaps we should finish with some more quotes from Allister himself who suggests that he makes fabulous pieces because “ my goal is to improve with each piece that I make, whether that be in terms of the technique I employ or the design overall.
After more than 10 years (and 27 hours?!), I still enjoy the making process and I am still addicted. When I recover, I am sure that I will be even more proud of our efforts over the past day or two. How fortunate I am to have such talented friends and fellow artists, who have all worked well and contributed their time and skills with such enthusiasm, determination and skill”
Pieces from artists in the region are still exported to the Gulf and countries worldwide and we work with some of the best interior designers in the world, to ‘share imagination’ and to turn design ideas for hotels, restaurants, commercial buildings and superior residences into stunning reality.
Look out for more exciting pieces and articles on the glass artists themselves in AEC Online over the coming months. We would love to hear your comments and hope that if you come over to good old England, you will take time to visit us soon.
Skyscraper Banners