Abstract

My Thesis Work investigated the infinite possibilities in transformation of matter. I wanted to identify and suspend stages within natural cycles through the manipulation of glass and other mixed media. Furthermore, I looked to explore degradation and regeneration of components— at a microscopic and macroscopic level—to create sculptural pieces.

The body of work I produced for my Thesis Exhibition was a culmination of many components. Embracing process art making was the most successful outcome that resulted from making this collection; through experimentation, I was able to gather more information about the objects I was creating. Another useful aspect to my making was literal observations of scientific material; studying dissected cadavers, for example, and working with tree burls critically influenced the making of my objects. Furthermore, researching other artists, their works, and their processes impacted my Thesis Work. Choice of material affected my results as well. I used glass as my primary medium. I looked to manipulate texture, shape, size, and color of my objects. The first pieces I created were by processes I learned from working in other mediums. As I gained more experience with glass, however, I learned new techniques and produced unique forms in the hot shop. Finally, I combined other materials and strategically used design elements to present my glass objects.

By creating the pieces for my Thesis Work, my intent was to bring attention to otherwise unseen textures and create something interesting to look at. I wanted to make work that took familiar, representational forms and abstract them, to create interest in the viewer. My goal was to develop work that provoked thought and inquiry through successful moments of ambiguity. This collection combined my interest in creating visual information about cycles in nature through research, process art making, and working in the medium of glass.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Glass art--Technique; Glass art--Themes, motives; Glass sculpture--Technique; Glass sculpture--Themes, motives

Publication Date

4-8-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Glass (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School for American Crafts (CIAS)

Advisor

Michael Rogers

Advisor/Committee Member

Juan Carlos Caballero-Perez

Advisor/Committee Member

Elizabeth Kronfield

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

GLASS-MFA

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