Project Archive
Czech Glass Book
The first extensive publication on the key factors in the development of individual Czech Glass making over the last 55 years.
Author: Professor Sylva Petrova PhD.
Funding source: Ministry of Culture Czech republic, British Academy, IIRG, School of Arts, Design and Media - University of Sunderland.
Sylva Petrova has drawn on 15 years of professional and personal experience of Czech glass, as well as on little known archive material and the reminiscences of the artists themselves. Included in the 339 illustrations by leading photographers, extensive documentary material, and a forward by Stanislav Libensky. The book is published in both Czech and English by Jaroslav Koran's Gallery publishing house in collaboration with Prague's Museum of Applied Arts and IIRG. Copies are available in the National Glass Centre shop and from Gallery, Legerova 7, Prague 2, Czech Republic. Telephone 02/5478 or email galley@galleryjk.cz.
Light Transfigured Contemporary Czech Glass Sculpture
Touring Exhibition to Japan 2000-2001 with 161p. monograph.
Researcher & Curator: Professor Sylva Petrova PhD.
Funding Sources: Asahi Shimbun Newspapers Japan.
Description: Sylva Petrova acted as advisor and curator to this exhibition of the work of 150 Czech Glass artists working since 1945
Hida Takayama Museum of Art, Gifu. 25.7.2000 - 10.9.2000
Toyama Shimin Plaza Art Gallery, Toyama. 6.10.2000 - 29.10.2000
Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art. 14.4.2001 - 14.6.2001
Kanazu Forest of Creation, Fukui. 20.6.2001 - 17.8.2001
Odayku Museum, Tokyo. 22.8.2001 - 9.9.2001
Sylva also gave the opening lecture, on Czech Glass, at the Hida Takayama Museum of Art, Gifu on 25th July 2000.
Image Gallery.
12th Biennial Ausglass Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 2001- Uncharted Waters, Contemporary Glass beyond current practice
Principle Researcher: Professor Sylva Petrova PhD.
Funding Source: Ausglass.
Description: Sylva Petrova gave a keynote paper, 'Contemporary Glass - Where are you and where are you going?' Also lecture, 'History of Czechoslovakian Glass 1945-present'. A third lecture,' Contemporary Glass', was delivered at the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane.
Public Arts Laboratory
Researcher: Kirsteen Aubrey.
Funding Source: Liverpool Design Initiative.
Description: £10, 000 was funded to investigate the possibilities and limitations of hot glass works in public spaces. An exhibition of the results was shown at the Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester; John Moores University, Liverpool and the Globe Gallery, Gateshead. A CD Rom was also published.
Innovation & Diversity - 75 years of Swedish glass art
Exhibition at the National Glass Centre, Nov 7th 2000 - Jan 31st 2001, and on tour.
Researcher: Jack Dawson
Funding Sources: The Arts Council of England, Northern Arts, The Swedish Institute, Smalands Museum, Orrefors/Kosta Boda, Visiting Arts, University of Sunderland.
Description: Swedish Glass enjoyed immense critical acclaim, status and popularity throughout the twentieth century. This exhibition, curated by Jack Dawson, attempts to illustrate and contextualise the developments and important contribution to art and design made by Swedish glass artists, designers and craftspeople, and the Swedish glass industry from the late 1930s to the present.
Harmony in glass - Mike Davis
Solo exhibition of autonomous panels in leaded glass held at the Customs House Gallery, South Shields, UK - August/September 2000.
Researcher: Mike Davis.
Funding Source: Northern Arts.
Description: The panels were based on aspects of music which evoked emotion and memory as well as on the formal qualities of rhythm and structure.
Innovation in Architectural Glass
Researcher: Dr Laura Johnston.
Funding Source: School of Arts, Design, and Media. Sunderland University.
Description: Post Doctoral Research Fellow Laura Johnston is a specialist in coated glass, such as dichroic, and innovative architectural glass applications. Her remit at IIRG was to forge links with industry through the completion of architectural glass projects that extend the possibilities for innovation.
Paper Glass - The development and creative use of a new glass fabrication process
Researcher: Christina Kirk MA (RCA).
Funding Source: Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB) Small Grants Scheme, UK.
Description: A pilot study to develop the technique of Pate de Verre into a new glass fabrication process, 'Paper Glass' . The project involves industrial collaboration to investigate the creative and aesthetic potential of paper glass as a material to create both two and three dimensional objects.
Large Scale Kiln Forming of Glass
Principle Researcher: Professor Zora Palova.
Funding Source: Higher Education Funding Council, UK
Description: Using a new kiln shortly to be installed in the department this project will explore the creative and technical issues of large kiln formed glass. The new kiln is thought to be the largest in Europe.
Head Space
Exhibition of Glass at Studio Fusion, OXO Tower, London. 26th March - 29th April 2001.
Principle Researcher: Dr Kevin Petrie MA (RCA).
Funding Source: School of Arts, Design, and Media. Sunderland University.
Description: In his first solo exhibition of glass Kevin Petrie uses the versatility and qualities of glass to explore the facades we construct and the inner life that we hide behind. Various symbols are used throughout the works: the mask to represent a projection of the self; the mirror suggests a narcissus like self absorption; blown glass forms make reference to bell jars, as symbol of both constriction and preservation; the boat form suggests the journey through life. In all cases the work has evolved through an interplay of themes and concerns and the qualities and possibility of the materials used.
Grainger Town Street Furniture
Commission. Installation late 2001.
Principle Researcher: Cate Watkinson.
Funding Source: Grainger Town Partnership, Newcastle.
Description: Working in collaboration with writer Julia Darling to create designs and words to be incorporated using various techniques, (sandblasting and etching) into glass back rests of public seating for the Grainger Town central area of Newcastle. Initially, there will be nine seats installed this year.
Steady Eddy
Decorative screen for Newcastle international Airport. Unveiled 9th March 2001.
Principle Researcher: Cate Watkinson.
Funding Source: HSBC, Northern Arts, NIAL.
Description: Dry laminated glass panel 2.5m x3m for the arrivals hall of the new terminal. The design is based on observation of weather maps. I was particularly interested in the patterns made by air pressure as it swirls around in the upper atmosphere. One of these patterns of air circulation is called a 'steady eddy' hence the title of the piece.
Positive Image
Exhibition of Ceramics at Studio Fusion, OXO Tower, London. 1st - 31st May 2002.
Principle Researcher: Dr Kevin Petrie MA (RCA).
Funding Source: School of Arts, Design, and Media. Sunderland University.
