Gathering: A collaborative exhibition with some of the most influential contemporary Artists using Glass
High Volume
I began working on the High Volume Series in 1996. The elegant form of the Venetian goblet was the initial inspiration for this series.Its influence on American glass blowing and sculpture is self-evident. The traditional goblet is one of the most challenging functional glass forms to create. I adapted these ideas and techniques to create a body of work where the goblet forms were dramatically increased approaching human scale.The exaggerated scale transformed the objects. The vessels became more sculptural and demanded attention. This was a calculated experiment to make the viewer re-evaluate the nuances of the form from a new perspective. This series has taken me in many directions. Throughout the years I have added martinis with olives, wine glasses, margaritas with lime and salt, bottles of beer and foamy pint glasses. The pieces were initially exhibited without any supporting “props”, but I felt that the addition of other objects would enhance the composition. They have become still-lifes that jog the viewers’ memory and catapult them to events or experiences from the past.
John Miller
In October of 2010, a collaborative exhibition will be held at Habatat Galleries in Royal Oak, Michigan featuring some of the most influential artists using glass. The artists were chosen because of their monumental efforts in the advancement of the contemporary glass movement. University educators like Henry Halem, Artists like Richard Royal, and iconic historical glass figures like Paul Marioni and Fritz Dreisbach have been “gathered” together to collaborate with me on the High Volume series. Using the goblet form as the vehicle for artistic expression, the artists have contributed their artistic and technical experience to create one-of-a-kind works of art. The middle section of the cup, or stem, relates to a past or current body of work from each artist. In most cases, I have created the cup and foot and other transitional parts and assembled each goblet at my studio. Participating Artists:
John Miller
Rik Allen
Martin Blank
Scott Darlington
Einar dr la Torre
Jamex de la Torre
Laura Donefer
Fritz Dreisbach
Henry Halem
Jasen Johnsen
Paul Marioni
Nick Mount
Jay Musler
Paul Nelson
Marc Petrovic
Ross Richmond
Rich Royal
Danny Perkins
Stephen Powell
Davide Salvadore
Therman Statom
Randy Walker
Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen
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