Breath Taking: Revealing a new wave in British glass blowing
through '29 August '11
Locations around the UK
'Breath Taking' presents blown glass work by 22 designer makers, including 17 new commissions. The works featured demonstrate a contemporary approach to this age-old process, demonstrating the role this fascinating material and process has to play in contemporary design.
The exhibition features a wide span of work including; 'Apartments' (2010), conceptual architectural re-imaginings by design collective El Ultimo Grito. Created in collaboration with master glassblowers in Germany, the designers embraced the flexibility and fluidity of glass to explore new modes of living.
In addition, Ben Walters' 'Chandelier' (2010) is an impressive precision engineered structure, composed of unique blown glass trumpets. Sam Sweet has created Lead Crystal versions of every day glass designs, such as the classic form of the milk bottle, elevating them from disposable to something to treasure.
Sheldon:Cooney's piece Atelier (2010) transforms the ordinary, familiar object of a desk and lamp into a new playful and unexpected form. Below is a specially commissioned video by film-maker Federico Urdaneta; following the collaborators in the studio on a typical day, documenting their thoughts on their practice, and recording the gentle rhythm of the work.
This touring exhibition from The Crafts Council is currently at Callendar House, Falkirk until July 2 '11, after which it will transfer to Durham Art Gallery from July 9 – August 29, '11, continuing the tour in the autumn and early next year.
Sheldon:Cooney in the Studio by Federico Urdaneta (2011)
El Ultimo Grito, 'Apartments', (2010)
Ben Walters 'Chandelier' (2010)
Sam Sweet's Lead Crystalware
Elaine Sheldon for Sheldon:Cooney, 'Atelier' (2010)
Joanna Manousis, 'Reaching an Ulterior Realm' (2010)
