Hyunsung Cho, Feeling Comfortable, 2008. Blown glass. H 10, W 3, D 3 in.
The goblet is a time-honored glass object, rich with tradition and history. It also remains one of the most difficult things to blow, especially the thinner and more finely it is made. This has made the form a favorite of glassblowers looking to prove their technical prowess and tap into a centuries-old tradition. Drinking from a delicate hand-blown glass is a completely different experience than using a mold-blown vessel, and the perfect way to savor a carefully crafted wine, cultivated and fermented by hand. (For more on this subject, see the cover article in GLASS #102, Spring 2006).
This evening, the Vonfire Gallery at Louisville Glassworks will be holding an opening reception for their “Cheers!” exhibition, which will satisfy any collector’s thirst for original and handmade drinking vessels. From the exquisite Venetian style cups by Hyunsung Cho (pictured above) to the whimsical mash-ups of pop culture and refinement in other globlets, this exhibition will offer enough takes on the drinking cup to find the perfect holiday gift for any taste. At the opening this evening, there will be demonstrations of goblet-making alongside the rather unexpected attempt to break the world record for the largest glass snowman. Aside from this incongruous pairing, the event promises to show a wide range of approaches to this time-honored form. Amy Pender, a glassblower based at Lousiville Glassworks, says “I think there is something for everyone from traditional to completely over the top. There are a lot of functional pieces mixed with a collection of non-functional work that is really interesting making it a really fun show to walk through.”
The Lousville exhibition features glassware by Louisville Glasswork’s own Chad Balster, Heather Bauer, Bob Cheever, Rebekah Davis & Benjamin Phelan, Casey Hyland, McKinley Moore, Mark Payton, Amy Pender, Paul Stone, and Jonathon Swanz, as well as Louisville-area cup-makers Jonathon Capps, Matthew Cummings, Jamie and Ben Lang, Amy Ritter, and Leah Tangredi. With the addition of notable glassblowers from farther afield, including Cal Breed, Tanner Clark, Hyunsung Cho, Matthew Eskuche, Slate Grove, Andrew Najarian, Angus Powers, Ed Schmid, Mike Shelbo, Steve Sizelove, Justin Turcotte, and Zachary Weinberg.
—Krystal Elliott
IF YOU GO: “Cheers! A Drinking Glass Invitational” December 4th, 2009 – January 30th, 2010 Opening Reception: December 4th, 6 – 9 PM Vonfire Gallery Louisville Glassworks 815 West Market Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 Telephone: 502.584.4510 Website: www.louisvilleglassworks.com/vonfire.html