Glass Games: a desire, a dream, a vision 

Glass Games 2012 - a desire, a dream, a vision

Can you take the spirit of each of the 30 Olympics held since 1896…and bottle it? A stunning exhibition of international glass art is about to show that, when it comes to contemporary glass, anything is possible.

Twenty-four outstanding glass artists have now been selected for Glass Games 2012: a desire, a dream, a vision, among them world-class established artists and exciting new talent.

“This will be an intriguing exhibition full of fresh, new ideas that show the passion, ingenuity and sheer spirit that drives contemporary glass-makers. It will be a fitting signature event in our Glass Games 2012 programme,” said Victoria Scholes, chair of the Contemporary Glass Society.

Much of the work on show is being specially made for the exhibition.

David Reekie will create Throwers, a lost wax glass sculpture using found objects; Louis Thompson, who won a 2012 Jerwood Maker’s award, will create an installation of 30 mouth-blown solid glass bottles, each representing one of the modern Olympic Games from 1896 to 2012. Each bottle will contain a ‘specimen’ that captures the essence of the Olympic spirit.

Rowan van der Holt will reinterpret the Olympic rings in flameworked flowers and insects, representing the different continents coming together for the Games, but also the issues of our environmentally and politically fragile world. International sculptor Helen Maurer will use light and glass to explore ideas of physical stamina, competition and the drive for excellence.

Artists chosen for the exhibition are: Pilar Aldana-Mendez, Philippa Beveridge, Heike Brachlow, Sabrina Cant, Rachel Elliott, Siobhan Healy, June Kingsbury, Alison Lowry, Helen Maurer, Keiko Mukaide, Yoshida Nobuyasu, Susan Purser Hope, David Reekie, Torsten Roetzsch, Cathryn Shilling, Boris Shpeizman, Helen Slater, Nancy Sutcliffe, Louis Thompson, Angela Thwaites, Deborah Timperley, Rowan van der Holt, Liz Waugh McManus and Chris Wood.

The exhibition, at East London’s The Gallery in Redchurch Street, runs from June 13 to 23. It will be open each day from 10am to 6pm, and until 9pm on June 14, 16 and 21.

On Thursday, June 14, there will be a special evening event with Reino Leifkes and Angela Jarman, who were on the selection panel for the exhibition. On Thursday, June 21, there will be a Mad Hatter’s party in the gallery, marking the gallery’s former life as a hat factory and the opening of the London 2012 Festival.

The exhibition is the central event of the Contemporary Glass Society’s Olympic-inspired Glass Games 2012 – a nationwide celebration of the magic of glass and of the skills of glass artists.

From June 1 to September 30, there will be exhibitions, tours, workshops, have-a-go sessions and more in a packed programme of glass-related events. The Glass Games 2012 festival, supported by a National Lottery grant from Arts Council England, aims to bring the artistry, innovation and sheer brilliance of glass to more people than ever before.

http://www.cgs.org.uk