Glass Art Vs Art Glass
Glass art and art glass are often used interchangeably although the two terms have a different meaning. The term glass art is reserved for large, one-of-the-kind artworks that are mainly or entirely made of glass. Examples include glass panels, glass installations and glass sculptures. Art glass, on the other hand refers to smaller artworks that may be made in edition of multiple (usually a limited number) identical pieces. They usually have a decorative purpose but may also have a practical value such as personalised wedding gifts. Art glass can be found in both private collections and public outdoor garden spaces. Glass art, on the other hand, is typically displayed in public places, banks, luxury hotels, fine restaurants, etc. and of course, art galleries and museums.
Examples of Glass Art
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Dale Chihuly’s chandelier in the Victoria and Albert Museum. A huge 30 feet long glassblown chandelier that dominates the entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the finest examples of glass art. It was commissioned from the famous American glass sculptor in 2000. In 2006, the artist also temporary displayed his spectacular “The Sun” in the Kew Gardens in London.
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Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, Chicago. The famous fountain in Chicago’s Millennium Park consists of black granite pool and two 50 feet high glass brick towers. The fountain was designed by Catalan artist and sculptor Jaume Plensa and opened in 2004. Initially criticised by some for ruining the Millennium Park’s aesthetic appeal, the Crown Fountain became one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
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Leonard French’s stained glass ceiling at the National Gallery of Victoria. Stained glass is usually classified as art glass but due to the the huge size, the French’s stained glass ceiling at the National Gallery of Victoria belongs to glass art.
Examples of Art Glass
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David Reekie’s “Exchange of Information II”. The work by the renowned English glass sculptor consists of mass-produced ceramic bird and a glass head that was handicraft by the artist. Exhibited at the Dan Klein Associates in London, the artwork raises the question about the relationship between humans and the nature as well as about the relationship between art and mass production. The “Exchange of Information II” is an example of glass artwork that has purely artistic value.
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David Patchen’s “Parabola”. It is a series of artworks by the American glass artist David Patchen that explores the spheres and their compressed and elongated forms. Patchen’s artworks including “Parabolas” can be seen in many galleries across the United States. The closest to the UK is the Gallery Sikabonyi in Austria.