"Reflections: Contemporary Glass Art in Hawaii" Walk-Thru

 

On Saturday, May 12, Hui No‘eau celebrated the opening of  Reflections: Contemporary Glass Art in Hawaii. This biennial survey presents the finest contemporary glass art in Hawai‘i, a challenge to the 30 exhibiting artists to explore the versatile medium in all its forms. Presented in the beautiful gallery space at Kaluanui, the exhibition also features educational displays and a diverse selection of work in a range of techniques. Juror’s Choice Barclay Hill received a $500 cash prize from the Maui Glass Artists Association for his piece “Daylight.”

This past Saturday, Hui friends gathered for a free walk-thru offered by Shiori Abe, Paul Chryst, Anita Laviola, Karuna Santoro & Kim Treloar.

Kim Treloar offered insight into her creative process, which involves asking the question, "What would happen if...?" She talked about her love of shadowplay, busy teaching schedule around the world, and the fun in a try-anything attitude when it comes to glass. Shiori Abe, who flew over from Oahu for the day, mentioned influential professors in her graduate program who encouraged her to experiment with combining different materials with her glass work, including copper and bronze. A funny anecdote about a housewarming gift of a Costco-sized tub of pretzels made explained the concept of her piece "Stomach Was Eaten by Pretzels." Karuna Santoro offered an iPad screening of a video demonstrating her Murrini cane pulling technique. Used to create her impeccably crafted kiln-formed plates, it is labor intensive but produces astounding results (visit karunasantoro.com to watch the video)

  

Here Paul Chryst shares his story of an inspiring trip to Murano, in Venice, Italy, that compelled him, post-retirement, to become "THE glass mosaic guy on Maui." With two impressive pieces on view in the exhibition, he's well on his way, and his passion for the work is evident!

Anita Laviola describes how she enjoys proving naysayers wrong by attempting so-called impossible feats, like crocheting wire, and the respite her art-making provides from a challenging career in social work.

At the end of the hour, Ditmar Hoerl, who had come to listen to his fellow artists, decided to chime in and answer an oft-asked question regarding the glass blocks chosen for the show: "How did you do that?" During the casting process, he plunges materials such as plywood and metal into the molten glass to create textures and bubbles once its cooled. To see these artists work and much more, visit this FREE exhibition through July 6, 2012: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.