GLASS CAST
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Glass Cast is a series of research trajectories that manipulate this ubiquitous and fragile material through the investigation of two methods of working: hot glass blowing and warm glass slumping. The design process and its tools, including custom manual forming tools and a reconfigurable slumping kiln, are as significant to the work as the resultant glass components, Diffuse Globes and Distort Windows. Casting techniques and the limited range of material available to work at the high temperatures necessary to form glass are the basis of the research. Such tools construct environments to control the thermal performance through time-based processes, choreographing the work and physical mediations.
{process film} by Stebs Schinnerer of Paper Fortress
A collaboration between:
Wes McGee of Matter Studio Design and Catie Newell of *Alibi Studio
with Aaron Willette, Lucy Olechowski, Brandon Clifford
Fabrication Team:
Grant Weaver, Simon Rolka, Patrick Ethen, Maciej Kaczynski, Andrew Stern, Brian Muscat, Chuck Newell, Jason Psad, Mark Meier
Consultant:
Steve Karnowski
This work has been funded by:
Research Through Making Grant | Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
and
Office of the Vice President of Research | University of Michigan
SPECIMEN
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Suspended in air, curious in its natural form and artificial in its existence, Specimen evokes a peculiar creature of irregular origins. Made of glass, the work is constructed through a process of free form catenary slumping. Each piece of the work is subjected to its own temperature and duration setting providing variation in curvature and detail throughout the entire project. Lit from above the curvatures of each piece reflect the simple custom fluorescent light embedded ceiling suspended overhead. The resultant is a kaleidoscope-like effect of its surrounds, daring light to move around the space in two layers of different grains of reflection. The work is placed in the old Nature’s Medley Hall of the old Public Museum surrounded by encased specimens of insects and plants. The glass cases of the abandoned specimens reflect the work as a whole multiplying the presence of Specimen within the space. Hovering, the visitor can walk around the work.
Specimen was removed, captured here in the film Specimen: Removed for Study.
Project Team:
Wes McGee of Matter Design Studio
Catie Newell of *Alibi Studio
Aaron Willette of Artforming
Grant Weaver
The amazing Curatorial Team and Venue: SiTE:LAB and the installation film they captured: install.
Specimen was supported by the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
AVIALAE
Lille, France
Lille3000. Renaissance, Detroit
Gare Saint Sauveur
Referencing bird wings and the extinction of previous creatures, Avialae, suspends in the air, out of place and time. Appearing natural in form, it is entirely artificial in its existence. The work hovers boldly above the old train tracks of Gare Saint Sauveur, just out of reach. Lit from above, the curvatures of each piece reflect the simple light pattern suspended overhead. The resultant is a kaleidoscope-like effect of its surrounds and the hovering of light in space.
Made of glass, the work is constructed through a process of free form catenary slumping. Each piece of the work is subjected to its own temperature and duration setting providing variation in curvature and detail throughout the entire project.
Catie Newell, Wes McGee and Aaron Willette
Assistants: Joe Proper, Dan Sebaldt, Lindsey Petersen
