The imagery and influences used in this body of work are the beginning point for the conception of the objects. My experiences and surroundings offer a narrative to support the subject matter and imagery. I enjoy trying to understand common instances in architecture as well as icons that gather culture. In the past, the influence of such things as cathedrals led to the idea of what directs groups of people and how groups move or gather. The cathedrals also held other interests in the historical usage of geometric elements and mathematics that can be found throughout history and repeated in other cultures for similar purposes, whether physical or philosophical. Other objects are a conglomeration of the geometries I derive from architecture and reassemble. In these works, and the latter, it is always about an exploration of space and the utilization of light as a medium, inherent in this form of glassmaking. The following are descriptions and purposes of the imagery and ideas behind the work.
Buttress:
The use of the buttress is intended to reinforce the architectural attributes of cast glass. Most of these forms are monumental visually that connects to the monumental cathedrals of the gothic. These also create movement and open spaces so that forms can get larger and add complexity while remaining light just as was intended with cathedrals. Additionally, the purpose and aesthetic for cathedrals revolves around the concepts of light.
Circlular Elements:
The
use of circular elements demonstrates harmony, strength and cycle. When used in
architecture this element can create strength in the structure and open the
space. Throughout history, circles have been used to describe the cyclical
patterns in nature. It is used as a metaphor for human life and when divided
the elements of nature and human nature. This is a powerful geometry to utilize
because of its continuous use throughout human history for very similar
purposes and it becomes a universal shape.
Arches:
Arches are an element derived from gothic architect. This element creates lift and direction. Conceptually
this refers to how they operate as windows and entrances of cathedrals. These allow light in and allow
the structure to gain or suggest height. The arches reinforce ideas of ascension and transition, moving
from one space or world to another. The arches are also part of a circle.
Passage:
The use of the passage becomes a significant element, as it is a reoccurring element in my life. These
areas of architecture have always been interesting to me. They represent movement and transition. This
happens physically but also offers a metaphor for transitory states of consciousness. I have also been
drawn to its use in my travels and gained more of my attention from these experiences. I became drawn
to the Czech word for passage průchod.
Gestural element of passage:
The gestural elements are used to reference back to the initial drawings. I am intrigued by the looseness
that it brings to the sculpture. It adds energy. The undulating form transitions the passage just as the
passage offers transition.
Sprocket:
This references the circle and arches. Visually the sprocket is used to create more variety and breaking up
the space with repetition and rhythm. This repetitive edge creates and element of time. The use of the
sprocket also eludes to the clock and the movements within the structure and reinforcing ideas of time
which is a significant and important attribute of sculpture.
Pointed Arch Composing –Green & Yellow
31”x16”x6”
“Pointed Arch Composing – Green & Yellow” depicts the composition of the pointed arch, and important element of Gothic Architecture. The arch is broken apart. This helps accentuate the great lift and movement that the arch has. When segmented the arch becomes asymmetrical. These works create a break in time as the arch composes or is being composed. This arch segment adds volume to the work and deals with the space the sculpture exists as well as the space around the object. The circular form adds to this rise in the sculpture like a rising sun. This large form imposed on the top of the arch brings dynamic qualities that defy expectation by bring the weight, mass and volume upwards.
Unveiling
16.25”x 12.25”x3.5”
“Unveiling” is an interest in gesture and repetitive, radiating elements. The form gives a feel of growth and time. The center is open to bring more light to the interior and references the passages. Opposite the radiating side is a column that reminds me of a veil. In this case the veil is concealing but revealing. This is an interesting dichotomy.
Blue Blossom Passage
31”x10.5”x6”
“Blue Blossom Passage” combines the imagery of the passage and presented with new elements to create a harmonious composition that embodies energy. The repetition of the legs, having squeezed the support for the passage together and giving a strong feeling of upward thrust and reminds one of human legs in contra Pasto. The radiating circular element seems to be blossoming from the passage.
Indigo Ascent
15”x14”x3”
“Indigo Ascent” uses a radiating element, reinforced by its overall circular form. This fanned area radiates above the center opening capturing light. This work is about light and the multiplication of space that can be witnessed through the work. Indigo Ascent embodies the physical and visual properties that are unique to glass as a sculptural material.
Crescent Sprocket
16.5”x14”x4”
“Crescent Sprocket” uses the recombination of a form that references a sprocket. This form is disjoint to demonstrate a composition that may be found in a clock and how the clocks operation embodies a high level of complexity and precision. This time element is significant as these visual elements change as the viewer moves around the work with the light shifting continuously.
Royal Gestural Passage
22.5”x12”x4.5”
“Royal Gestural Passage” is a newer idea in my work. This gestural line brings a bit of whimsy and energy to a normally static form. This springy line has energy that appears to be have been caught in motion.
Portent Passage
16.5”x11”x4”
“Portent Passage” has brought back the strong geometrical attributes of earlier passages and pushing the architectural aspects and potentials of glass. It has also joined these different renditions of the passage with the arching rise of the leg. The form is left open to heighten the asymmetry of the work and enhance the ideas of being caught in mid motion or mid composition. B y having the form refined and polished it strengthens the significance of the moment.
Amber Radiating Blossom
18”x9”x3”
“Amber Radiating Blossom” is a smaller rendition or version of “Blue Blossom Passage”. Amber is used as an enlarging color because of the energy it insinuates.
Buttress Sprocket
15”x14”x3”
“Buttress Sprocket” is a new exciting direction for my work. I have been very interested in incorporation the circular with the buttress. Here they offer a supporting opposition to the sprocket or gear side. All of these elements show the energy that cast glass can embody.
Consolidated Harmony
17”x9.5”x3”
“Consolidated Harmony” demonstrates finding beauty in the world through the eyes of geometry and mathematics. The intersecting circles are segmented by the angular forms emanating from within. They are bursting from the center denoting the energy of the collision of forms. All of these elements also draw back to my interest in the cathedral by taking apart the elements in the architecture and reassembling while keeping intact the same feelings and ideas of structure and harmony.
Universal
Transit
20”
X 10” X 8”
Universal Transit is a rendition of a passage. In this work I have tried to capture the gestural and expressive qualities of the drawing created while working through ideas. The gestural line is an important counter to the geometric related and more rigid elements. Just as with this juxtaposition, I have incorporated the elements of refinement that are in contrast to one another. I have chosen leave rough areas of tooling to discuss the architectural elements while using other surfaces to direct light and heighten the use of light to add space. The color is special in that it has the opportunity to change between gray, blue and violet. This occurs with different light sources but also with the movement of the viewer, just as the passage is a metaphor for movement and transition, The viewer supports this aspect with their movement. The colors relate to transitory states; ascension, tranquility, death, rebirth.
Evolving Passage
24”
X 18” X 12”
This work is made from a Czech light reactive glass. Under some lights Evolving Passage will turn green or pink. There are other color variations that happen with natural lighting or sunlight. The color helps heighten the transition especially when natural light is available.
In this passage, the rigidness of the material is used and discussed through the modeling and working of the surface. The walls of the passage intersect with a forced perspective. This sculpture is more substantial with the visual elements that are rawer. This heightens the mark making and focused more on the elements of construction and simplified form. I have chosen to incorporated the elements of refinement that are in contrast to those that are lese refined.
New Blue
Passage
22”
X 12” X 5”
New Blue Passage is part of a body of work where the elements of architecture are utilized, rearranged and taken down to their essence. The same premise of the passage is part of the concept. However, the use of the material is approached in a way that focuses on the contrasting contours and construction of the form. This way of working brings forth the geometry and linear element contrasted with the elegant curve. This form creates more space than what is actually there. The forms and lines are multiplied and change with the light and the movement of the viewer.
Blue
Windmill
21.5”x 15” x 4”
In previous works, I was interested in the architectural elements of Gothic Cathedrals. This led me to think about their purpose and relationship to the culture involved at the time. The cathedral was a way to direct populations, gather populations and a motivating factor. I thought about how this works in modern culture and regions that I have lived. In many places, energy is an important aspect and a director of populations. I considered what things or icons would be a good example while still embodying elements in geometry and simplified form.
As with other influences I have chosen to utilize the primary descriptive elements and put them in positions that are more dynamic but still depict the essence of the subject matter. Here I found great inspiration from the windmills that stretch across vast areas of the United States. I have always been drawn to the simplicity and elegance of these large and airy structures.
Balanced
Oblique
16” X 12” X 5”
In this body of work, I am interested in the intersecting of elements. I find it interesting as one moves around the object the individual elements move together and separate but always supporting the entire form. Balanced Oblique is directly influenced by elements of past work relating to the cathedral, architecture and the use of formulas relating to the human form. Here I am more interested in how the rigid linear forms join and work with the circular elements. The proportions are important to created balance and harmony. The light is dispersed through the work creating situations where the form multiplies with within the object, creating additional visual linear components and textures that are physical as well as illusions form the refracting of light.