Contemporary Canadian Glass

By: Rita Neumann

images are courtesy of Marcela Rosemberg

After returning to my home country of Argentina, I began thinking about the rich experiences that I had during the seminar that I taught in PEI at Marcela Rosemberg’s studio. The memories of the workshop were not only of the intense work, but also the climate that was generated with the group that I met.

My contribution to their experience was the one that allowed them to creatively shape a human figure in clay, to carry out the movement of a garment, the folds of the fabric, the inclination of the body, its proportion, the movement of the same one, etc., that then would be translated in the glass.

They learned simultaneously to make a matrix in latex to be able to repeat the mold in plaster and silica as many times as necessary

They selected the colors of the glass, using System 96, which was generously donated by Spectrum Glass, according to the character that they wanted to give to their clothing. They took the necessary measures so that the size of the glass was adjusted perfectly to the relief that carried out, and on the one that would go to the kiln.

I taught them to transfer the texture of a fabric to the glass through a direct mold, and achieved details that then were applied on the total surface of the glass that was used.

Finally, we saw the different possibilities that this technique allows, as for variations of colour, form, textures, etc. to be able to modify the character of the figure suggested through the clothing.

I cannot stop thanking Marcela for welcoming me to her beautiful studio to share my know-how, and to Spectrum Glass in regards to their generosity and to have trusted in me and my work.

I hope this is the beginning of more experiences together. I remember when, around 19 or 20 years ago, I began working with Spectrum and today System96 helps so much the task of the artist, that permits me to continue investigating and developing my creativity

I would like to write a special thank you to Jamie Gray, who has accompanied us since the beginning of this project. I don’t have the exact words to express my gratitude to you.