OPENING: Silvia Levenson, Marvin Lipofsky, Jay Musler, and Clifford Rainey in San Francisco group sh

Jay Musler; Sea of Abaco, 2011. H 32, W 35, D 5 1/2 in.

For an exhibit entitled “Amorphous Dreams” opening Saturday, March 5th, at San Francisco’s Bekris Gallery, art dealer Micaela Gallery + Projects has assembled seven artists, many of whom work primarily in glass. Jay Musler, Susan Longini, Marvin Lipofsky, Prema Murthy, Bella Feldman, Clifford Rainey, and Silvia Levenson have made works that range from glass vessels to multimedia installations engaging themes of war, nature, and the human form. The exhibition seems an odd fit for Bekris, which according to its Website, “was founded to introduce artists from the southern hemisphere to American audiences,” but it does provide an opportunity to see a wide variety of high-quality works using a wide variety of techniques.

Jay Musler; Blue Chain Wine Glass, 2011; H 10 1/2, W 5, D 4 in.

The work is staggeringly diverse. Longini uses pâte-de-
verre to create variegated landscapes for wall-mounted works that reference the landscape of Northeast Scotland. Levenson is well-known for her exploration of gender issues and political commentary in her provocative works in cast glass. Feldman’s “War Toys” series in glass and metal reference bio-terror. Lipofsky’s blown glass forms deal with abstract expression in a finely developed color pallete. Rainey takes on classical icons, contemporary society, and diverse cultural symbols in allegorical sculptures that feature cast glass.

California-based artist Jay Musler uses flameworking and paint to produce a collection of work including bowls, panels, masks, and wine glasses. Finding inspiration in every aspect of his life, Musler creates work that both indirectly and directly reflects his surroundings and experiences. Seeing as he looks to nature as well as architecture for inspiration, he manages to combine two contrasting components of the man-made and natural world: consistent, repetitive patterns alongside warm, dusty color tones and organic lines. This can be seen in the slightly curvaceous stems of his oil painted glass goblets, as well as the repetitive features in his criss-crossed wall panels.

For “Amorphous Dreams,” Musler has created three specific works as extensions of his mask and wine glass series. The wall piece, titled Sea of Abaco, is a prime example of how Musler pulls from his settings to influence his work. “In January I spent some time sailing in the Bahamas in the sea of Abaco,” said Musler. “There, I was inspired by the different colors of the sea which changed from turquoise to blue to indigo depending on the depth of the water and the color of the sky. Remembering these colors influenced my color choices. Musler plans to show this work alongside his two wine glasses made specifically for the show, all as an expression of his connection to the concept of amorphism.

In a telephone interview with GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet Musler said that he find the exhibition title “Amorphous Dreams” appropriate for his work as it “is both a visual expression of life and also references the fragility of beauty.”

—Alica Forneret