Our Collection

The Beauty in Tension #03

$3,000.00

Serial number three in The Beauty in Tension series. This was one of the first original pieces where Cal and team crafted a tumbler, kept it hot, then ladled molten glass into it and, finally, submerged a pre-made Prince Rupert’s Drop in the molten glass.  The final piece was cut out of the annealed tumbler and finished with a carved battuto finish, which is an Italian surfacing technique to resemble hammered metal.

Each of pieces in this series bear witness to a carefully choreographed process that took eleven years of discovery, trial and error, vision and creative pursuits to craft. oratory in nature.

Color: Clear

Dimensions: 9.21cm x 5.08cm x 7.62cm

Polished Sides: 2 and Battuto finish

Out of stock

Description

In Cal’s words as a sculptor, an ever-expanding understanding of materials is critical in refining one’s ability to fluently translate ideas into expressive physical objects.  These solid works in glass capture a moment in time where a Prince Rupert’s drop, while in a state of great tension, is trapped in molten glass when the tail is snapped, and the tension released.  Due to the viscosity of the molten glass, the moment of this tension release is captured in time.  Once the solid pieces are cooled, carved, and polished an unexpected beauty is revealed under the light of a polariscope which is a tool glass makers use to see stress in their glass wares.  The unique stresses captured in these pieces are all remarkably beautiful.  The surprise of beauty in tension revealed through creative experimentation and exploration is a main reason I love making art.  Part of this whole process of discovery was captured with the genius camera and talents of Destin Sandlin of Smarter Every Day – a YouTube channel that is exploratory in nature. The whole video is available HERE.

Each of the Beauty in Tension pieces come with a custom fit wooden base and three polarizing films.