Glassmaking is alchemical, primordial and magical. The challenges of creating glass are numerous and the miraculous results keep us coming back for more. The process of blowing hot glass is a combination of melting chemicals and minerals with extremely high temperatures– 2000F approximately. It is physically exhausting and exhilarating, requiring strength, grace, and perfect timing.
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2000 degrees fahrenheit / 4000 years history
LED Low Energy Lighting
We are all concerned about the changes in the lighting codes and becoming energy efficient. LED’s are the way of the future. I also use xenon as a halogen replacement, for bright sparkly light.
Here is a project I did in Northern California for a luxury bathroom using LED’s and recycled metal. It is part of the Pioggia series. “Pioggia” means Rain in Italian.
Individual glass raindrops made in the studio, light up and transfer the light similarly to fiber optics. The perforated steel creates a light/shadow effect. Here, I have used a dimmable, warm-white LED system in the fixture. Read more…
Ciao Venezia
Murano, the glassmaking island of the Venetian lagoon is my destination this week. I return to the magical world of boats and bridges, the secret island with fiery furnaces behind every wall. Since the 9th century, glass has been made in Murano. In 1291, Murano became the official glassmaking island isolating all the furnaces to one location to protect the buildings of Venice.
Venetian glassmakers, although secluded with their secret trade, and forbidden to leave the Republic, had privileges of wearing swords, and marrying their daughters into nobility.
Today, Murano, only 1.5 km across, inhabits about 5,000 people and hundreds of glass furnaces. You can hear their fuel-driven hum and see the orange glow in the ancient window panes as you come across the lagoon at night. Glass sparkles in every storefront. Mecca for a glass artist. Read more…
