While finishing up research for a post scheduled to be published this morning about an artist who works with resin and other plastics, I somehow found myself looking at blown glass instruments. It is one of the things that I love about what I do – one minute I am writing about how quickly plastics have gained attention as a viable fine craft medium and the next I am completely immersed in the history of the centuries old art of glass blowing.
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Chitamarra, blown glass, 35″ x 14″ x 14″
David Salvadore’s blown glass instruments are the reason for my distraction today. The Italian artist, born into a family of Murano glass-blowers, has crafted a selection of sculptures that are meant to look like wood – a feat that is technically difficult to achieve in glass. The instruments are representational, not functional and they are causing quite a stir. As a young man Salvadore worked his way up assisting glass artists Alfredo Barbini and Loredano Rosin. Today he joins their rank as a glassmaster and works at kilns he built himself – a skill he learned from his grandfather. Read more about Salvadore in this recent Wall Street Journal article.
Springarpa Series: Artist No. 17, blown glass, 51″ x 11.75″
Springarpa Series: Artist No. 18, blown glass, 43.25″ x 11.75″
Artist No. 23, blown glass, 61″ x 12.25″ x 7″
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In April, I had the pleasure of watching Davide in his Murano studio making one of these behemoths! With about 4 assistants handling various stages of the construction of the mandolin, it was quite a spectacle. He has a wonderful sense of surface design and color. Personally, I think he should design clothes!!!! Bravo Davide!