Wednesday August 3, 2016 | by Andrew Page

A conversation with John Kiley about his “big break”

FILED UNDER: Artist Interviews, Exhibition, New Work

From Cassandria Blackmore to Marta Klonowska to Yorgos Papadopoulos, there is no shortage of artists who use shattered glass as a central element of their work — but John Kiley, among the best glassblowers in the U.S., has taken a unique approach. Unlike the plate glass used by the previously cited artists, Kiley went for 3-inch thick blocks of optical crystal, which he shattered and then reconstructed, producing a stunning visual record of the violent encounter between a sledgehammer and glass. The aggressive fracture blooms into space like a ribbon of chaotic energy ripping through the serene frame of the thick optically pure crystal. Kiley's recent work already had an undertone of violence as he cut away sections of his exquisitely blown spheres to create architectonic constructions, but there was always a strong measure of restraint. In the newest work, in the painstaking reconstruction of the glass, the rigorous nature of Kiley's practice is preserved. But make no mistake: This work represents a literal and figurative break for the artist sought-after for his signature precision. The GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet caught up with Kiley as he was preparing for the opening of his new exhibition "10,000 MPH" opening this evening at Traver Gallery (and running through August 27, 2016) to talk about this bold new direction. (Editor's note: See the video at end of this post for 360-degree views of the new works.)

Continue Reading

Monday August 1, 2016 | by Sarah Canny

OPENING: In an experimental mood, Traver features new work by John Kiley and Justin Ginsberg

FILED UNDER: Announcements, Exhibition, Opening

On the evening of Wednesday, August 3rd, Traver Gallery will debut two new solo exhibitions and one new permanent one. John Kiley will be unveiling "10,000 MPH," a radical departure for this seasoned glassblower and cutter. Also opening is the work of up-and-coming conceptual artist Justin Ginsberg, who will exhibit his work in an exhibit entitled  "What is Known is Uknown." The two are working to "push the (glass) medium to absolute extremes" in their new works, according to the exhibition announcement. Kiley is known for his colorful and imposing sculptures of geometric works strategically bisected to interrupt symmetry yet create another kind of logic. In his latest sculptures, the dissonance is stronger, with the dense shatter-pattern bringing forth the idea that "beauty is revealed in the broken," as cited in the announcement. Ginsberg is known for his willingness to push glass into uncharted territory. His latest work features handmade coils of glass displayed seemingly in motion, with minimal lighting to give his pieces a dark, compelling feel. The two combined solo exhibitions are working to challenge their audience, and make them appreciate glass artworks that are atypical, or "other," in their style and ideas. Both exhibitions are described as experimental. 

Continue Reading

Thursday July 28, 2016 | by Malcolm Morano

OPENING: Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend’s new group exhibition more than a family affair

FILED UNDER: Announcements, Exhibition, Opening

Curators will sometimes put together a group of artists who explore similar territory as a way to present varied takes on an individual theme. A new exhibition at the Studio Channel Islands' Blackboard Gallery this August groups works allied not only by subject matter but by blood ties. Glass artist Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend will join her husband, painter Richard Amend, and son, ceramic sculptor Wyatt Amend, in the wittily-titled exhibit "Making Amends," which will run from August 4th through the 27th. Individual works as well as cross-media collaborations will reveal shared artistic methods and concerns that take the exhibit's rationale well beyond simple familial ties.

Continue Reading

Tuesday July 26, 2016 | by Sarah Canny

HELP WANTED: Newark At-Risk Youth Program Seeks to Fill Apprentice Position

FILED UNDER: Help Wanted

UPDATED 08/01/2016

Continue Reading

Thursday July 21, 2016 | by Ana Donefer-Hickie

In Paris exhibit, Yves Hayat utilizes material transparency to combine images of violence and luxury

FILED UNDER: Exhibition, New Work

On view until the 31st of July at Mark Hachem Gallery, multi-media artist Yves Hayat's most recent solo exhibition examines the complex relationship between contemporary politics and consumer culture. The exhibition is entitled "Sale Temps," which translates from French to "Bad Weather" and references the perfect storm of social, economic, religious, and cultural tensions that dominate the current international political climate and constitute the subject matter of the works in the exhibition.

Continue Reading

Wednesday July 20, 2016 | by Malcolm Morano

Gallery exhibition in the Berkshires offers Chihuly at a human scale

FILED UNDER: Exhibition, New Work, News

Dale Chihuly is best known for his monumental glass sculptures that transform museums, botanical gardens, or even cities where they are installed, remaking and forcing new ways of seeing well-known spaces. This summer offers a unique opportunity to see new site-specific Chihuly works in a more intimate setting. Through August 28th, Schantz Galleries is presenting its first-ever exhibition of Chihuly’s work, and it's a rare chance to see Chihuly work at a relatively more modest scale. That said, three site-specific installations are on display, a Persian Wall and two Chandeliers in addition to many smaller works, such as work from his "Venetians" and "Black Cylinders" series.

Continue Reading

Wednesday July 20, 2016 | by Sarah Canny

AWARD: Glass art association identifies top emerging artists in the U.K.

FILED UNDER: Award, New Work, News

The British organization known as the Contemporary Glass Society has announced its annual glass prize winners for 2016. A special 16-page publication entitled "New Graduate Review" featuring all the winners of 2016, as well as runners-up, will be published as part of the award, that includes a top cash prize of £ 250 (about US $329). Connor Garton of the University of Sunderland took first prize, Jade Tapson also of the University of Sunderland took second, and Becky Dennis of Nottingham Trent University took third. The full list of winning artists can be seen here. Judge and CGS board member Karen Murphy stated that the work made by these young men and women "represent a snapshot of the best of British art glass coming out of our educational establishments this year."

Continue Reading

Tuesday July 19, 2016 | by Malcolm Morano

After two-year vacancy, The Corning Museum of Glass welcomes new curator of European glass

FILED UNDER: Announcements, Museums, News

Filling a position that was vacated when Audrey Whitty left for a position at the National Museum of Ireland in 2014, the Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) has appointed Christopher Maxwell as its new curator of European glass. Currently working as a European associate at the U.S.-based art dealer Travis Hansoon Fine Art, Maxwell will be responsible for cataloging and exhibiting the Corning’s extensive collection of European glass works that date back to the early medieval period, when he assumes his new post in October 2016. Maxwell has worked in various roles including curator at the U.K.'s Royal Collection Trust, and as an assistant curator of ceramics and glass at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow in 2014.

Continue Reading

Friday July 15, 2016 | by Sarah Canny

OPENING: “Strike While the Iron’s Hot” with newly minted Dr. Richard Meitner

FILED UNDER: Exhibition, New Work, News, Opening

Richard Meitner's "thesis exhibition" just opened in the Gallery at the University of Lisboa, where he has been a visiting professor since 2008. His employer is also now his alma mater, thanks to Meitner's pursuit of a doctorate in glass. In his PhD exhibition, Meitner "sets out to define what he believes art really is and is about, and how we should be teaching it and thinking about it", as he explained in an email exchange with the GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet. It's Meitner's personal belief that there are "quite a few glaring and highly consequential mistakes in how we currently think about and discuss art, and how we teach young people what art is and how to make it". The exhibition is tied in with his thesis for his newly achieved doctorate in art, specifically focused, unsurprisingly, on sculpture.  

Continue Reading

Wednesday July 13, 2016 | by Malcolm Morano

An improbable success story, Pittsburgh Glass Center’s 15th anniversary is indeed a celebration

FILED UNDER: Announcements, News

Pittsburgh Glass Center will celebrate its 15th anniversary this month, marking an important milestone for a glass institution that seemed like a long shot when it opened in 2001 in a run-down part of a small, economically stagnant city. Fast forward to today, and it has become a destination for some of the world's most famous glass artists, a respected exhibition venue, and a source for high-level master classes. The Pittsburgh Glass Center is an improbable success story; and, in many ways, its story is the tale of renewal that is Pittsburgh's in the 21st century. PGC and the city will celebrate the milestone on Saturday, July 16th, with an event called “Ignite + Imbibe: Handcrafted Beverages by the Fire.” From 6 PM to 9 PM, those in attendance can drink beverages from local distilleries and watch glass artists give vessel-themed glass blowing “pourformances,” while toasting this scrappy center for glass art that has willed itself into the upper tiers of public access studios in the country.

Continue Reading