Art In Action: Molten Glass Artwork
By Darla McCammon
Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, N.Y., we were able to see this lovely floral glass bowl in person. Corning artist Chris Rochelle was the creator of this work of art. It was made during one of their daily glass-blowing demonstrations. It is one of the more dangerous adventures in art to work with this material that is heated to temperatures that rise between 2400 to 2750 degrees Fahrenheit. Diamond shears and special blocks are tools that must be used to help shape the molten material. Of course, protecting the artist from injury is very important in the process of working with unpredictable material such as this.
The Corning Museum of Glass has collected more than 50,000 glass articles. To give you a perspective, some of these pieces are very old. Glass work has a long history. Some research shows it going back to 3500 BC in Mesopotamia. Other archaeologists argue it was first made in Syria or Egypt rather than Mesopotamia. Among the first items discovered were beads. Experts guess these were made accidentally during early metal working efforts.
India is given credit for developing glass and improving the technology for its creation around 1730 BC. China, normally known for porcelain and excellence in all types of artistry, lagged behind other nations. Scientists who studied the Roman Empire have found glass objects that were well-developed and in use for many tasks as well as decorative uses. By the Anglo-Saxon era, there was jewelry, windows, utilitarian vessels and everyday applications.
Obsidian is considered a volcanic glass and was used back in the stone age in the creation of sharp tools. Science agrees, however, that the first glass was that described above from Mesopotamia.
Late in the Bronze Age in both western Asia and Egypt, glassmaking began to come into favor and show much more expertise in the creation of all kinds of vessels. Secret recipes were written and closely guarded in order to be most creative and competitive in the production of glass that was now being addressed as a creative endeavor. Inlays were becoming exquisite and shapes were being poured into molds. Glass was becoming more utilitarian as well during this period of development.
If you have an opportunity to visit the Corning Museum, you will learn more and have an opportunity to observe much about glass that will be of great interest.
Upcoming Events
- The Warsaw City Hall Gallery will have works by Diane Overmyer on display through Oct. 31.
- Lakeland Art Gallery is featuring Dean Jansen’s photography through October. There will be a reception on Oct. 20 to meet this phenomenal artist. The gallery is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.
- The Warsaw City Hall Gallery will have works by Steve Creighton on display through November and December.