Glass is a remarkable artistic medium. Images created in glass constantly change with the light source . . .as the sun moves across the sky, as clouds sometimes darken the sky, or as night falls and the source changes from natural light transmitted through the glass, to interior light being reflected by the surface. It is magical.
Tear down those drapes. . .throw away those shades! The use of glass for residential interior treatment and for artistic expression is growing.
Glass allows light to be transmitted and transformed by the brilliant and delicate colors of the glass. This in turn transforms interior rooms splashing them with light and color.
At the same time colored glass can provide a level of privacy as the light is filtered through many textures and varying degrees of opacity. It is a perfect medium for blending, privacy, view and interior design.
Transmission of light through the color and texture
Balancing transmitted and reflected light
Transmission of light through the color and texture
Art glass comes in many colors and degrees of transparency. Glass which is most transparent allows a great deal of light to be transmitted. This characteristic tranforms the light. The different textures of the glass bend the light in many directions. To our eyes it appears the light is dancing. . .flicking here and there. And this property of light shining through the glass creates a brilliance of colors, not only on the work itself, but as the light falls on walls, floors and whatever pieces of furniture may be close by.
Glass which is less transparent, or more opaque does not allow the light to fully shine through. Instead the light seems to illuminate these pieces from behind bringing out the color variations and subtleties.
Some glass is truly opaque. It does not allow the light to be transmitted through it. This type of glass is best suited to exploit another characteristic. It reflects light that falls upon the surface.
The surface of glass can be very smooth offering a high gloss. This glossy surface reflect light brilliantly. This reflected light can be changed by a textured surface. If the glass is etched with acid or through sand blasting, it reduces the characteristic of reflection and the light reflected is also reduced. . .it is a soft frosted look.
The reflected quality of light can be captured in pieces for display on a wall opposite a window, or under artificial light. In these cases, a variety of colors and textures becomes the focus of attention as the artist works with the relative reflective nature of the selection.
Balancing transmitted and reflected light
As a designer, I am challenged to balance the use of transmission of light and reflection. Pieces designed for window display undergo quite a transformation as the day transitions to night. The pieces of glass darken and those with the greatest transparency, which command the greatest attention during daylight hours, take a back seat to those pieces that transmit less light. . .but now reflect their color and texture under interior lighting conditions. What magic! And what a challenge to balance these characteristics while manipulating color, line and texture for their own values.
When I am designing for window treatments to replace drapes, blinds and curtains, I am also considering the element of privacy and trying to balace this with the owners desire to 'view' the outside world. These designs take into consideration, the location of the house and the accessible property around the home. Where in the design can I use glass that gives the owner a view, without giving the outside world a view of the occupants within? Another challenge in balancing transmitted light and reflected light!
I think of working in stained glass, or art glass, as a form of painting. The lines created by lead and solder, the shapes created and colors, textures and relative opacities must work together to create a visual story. The use of some paint on the glass and patinas for the lead and solder, offer many options for enhancing and integrating all of these elements.
I love exploring these materials.
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