|
The Art of Glass
Many groundbreaking discoveries came about by chance! In 1928,
bacteriologist Alexander Fleming found a mould had contaminated
one of his experiments. To his surprise, the mould turned out
to be an antibacterial agent...and so, penicillin was born. Another
remarkable creation is the multifaceted and challenging media
of glass. By melting combinations of soda and sand, our ancestors
found, upon letting the mixture cool, that its composition had
changed into a transparent 'glassy' mass.
Trial-and-error resulted in one of the largest industries to
date. The creation of glass continually evolved with additions
of limestone, lead oxide and boric acid. Metals like cobalt, copper,
manganese, gold and silver would change the consistency, clarity,
colour weight and strength of glass.
The Venetians were the first to become world leaders in the manufacture
of glass. The Crusades and the conquest of Constantinople in 1204
opened the way for extensive trade practices throughout the Eastern
Mediterranean and in various Islamic territories. The result was
an exchange of cultures - which allowed the Venetians to adopt
the practices of the glass producers in these once foreign lands.
More than Conquerors
However, the Venetians were the ones that took the art of glassmaking
to another level by adding minerals and pebbles to the glass silica.
'Oxides' were also added to the silica, creating a splendid multi-coloured
array of glassware. The Venetians also received accolades for
perfecting clear glass known as "cristallo." Nowhere
was the art of glass more evident than on the islands of Murano.
Murano is a group of islands lying on the edge of the Adriatic
Sea in the lagoon of Venice, about 3,000 meters north of the larger
group of islands comprising the city of Venice. This was the glass
centre of the Venetian industry, and glassmakers had the same
status as "royalty," and had privileges denied to ordinary
citizens; but in exchange for such titles and privileges, the
government virtually imprisoned them in an attempt to protect
the secrets of the glass trade. If one of these artisans tried
to leave the island to practice their craft elsewhere, they were
condemned to death for committing treason.
The Republic of Venice put this mandate into effect in order
to isolate the master glassblowers, in order to keep control and
monopolize the industry of glassmaking. There was a period in
Venetian history when the glasshouses supposedly caught fire and
the Venetian authorities moved all the glasshouses to the island
of Murano. Whether the fires were rumour or fact; by moving all
production to Murano, the Venetians not only protected Venice
from the hazards of fire, but also insured government regulation
and State protection, ensuring no competition from abroad. As
a result, Murano glassmaking became the leading source for fine
glass in Europe and a major source of trading income for the Republic
of Venice.
The glass pieces of this period were ornate and considered luxury
items. Through this ostentation, a strain of utilitarian design
developed and mirrors started to appear which provided a high
revenue turnover. Artisans competed amongst themselves, constantly
developing more complex and intricate glassmaking techniques and
continually pushing the boundaries of thought, images, use, and
opinion.
Unlike any other material, glass envelopes the mystical qualities
of color, hue, and light. Old world artisans have introduced us
to glass that delights our senses with endless colour schemes,
light refractions, and artistic designs.
About the Author
The age-old tradition of innovation in glassmaking is still evident
at Pilkington
Glass. As well as being leaders in their field, they have
kept their fingers on the pulse of technology with their product
- Pilkington Activ - the world's first self-cleaning glass.
Art Articles brings you the finest and most up-to-date
information concerning art on the Web. If you have an art related
article that you would like to submit for possible publication,
then send it in. We are always on the lookout for new and innovative
pieces concerning the world of art.
|