On June 12, 2015 students from Visualizing Science and Experimental Media Classes from the Media Arts Studio presented audio and video work at the MIT Museum. The work was created from field trips to the MIT Glass Lab and
NOCA Glass School. The collaboration is part of an ongoing series of multimedia projects with the science community of Cambridge, Mass.
Most of the students admitted that they knew very little about glassblowing before the project, and even those who had seen the MIT Glass Lab’s famous
glass pumpkin patch didn’t know the complex process of making glass. During the field trips students were asked to film the process and interviews with the artists in order to construct new media pieces. The resulting features are a mix of short science documentaries and experimental films inspired by the scientists at MIT and the artists at NOCA.
Overview of Science MIT Lab
“Before the field trips, all I knew about glass was that it’s made mostly from heating sand to a certain temperature, and that it is fragile.” When we went to the MIT Glass Lab, Noah G. was impressed by the skill of Peter Hauk and Marty DeMaine, who have been blowing glass for a long time both as an exploration of material science and an artistic endeavor.
Hear the Audio Piece >>
History
Odai was surprised to learn that the art form was pioneered in approximately 1500 BCE by ancient Egyptians and/or Syrians. This caught his interest because he remembered that his Syrian grandparents’ home had hand blown glass art all over the walls. Discovering that glassblowing began in the land of his ancestors led Odai to research glassblowing’s beginnings, and among other facts he learned that the tools glassblowers use today are the same tools used by their ancient forebears. See what Odai found out about the
Historical connections
Color
What really stood out to Daryn and Noah G. was the color of the objects, not only in their finished state but as they went in and out of the ceramic ovens, also called crucibles. Objects would heat up to bright white orange and cool into a variety of hues.
Colors are created by mixing elements such as cobalt, gold, iron salts, lead and copper with silica. The process is so specialized that color creators often keep their recipes secret. Peter Hauk explained that some of these secrets go with them to the grave and that particular color is gone. Enjoy the many
Colors in glass making and learn about
The Beauty of Chemistry
Heat and Molecules
Extreme heat plays an essential role in making glass. Silica and flux are melted until they fuse in ovens that reach upwards of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Imagine that a really hot day in Cambridge might reach 90 degrees--these ovens are over 20 times as hot. Rey B and Darbet found glass itself an interesting material. “When heated it can be molded to make very interesting and useful things.” Once the material is cooled down the pieces harden and hold their shape. The once honey-like material becomes rigid. Tempered glass is created through a specialized method of rapid cooling which compresses the outer layer and strengthens the resulting material. See how
Tempered Glass is made.
Movement
As Klara I. watched the glassmaking process, she saw a pattern of spinning movement emerge. She noticed that glassblowers must be able to lift heavy objects out of 2000-degree ovens multiple times to be colored, shaped, and cooled. At the same time, they must dance around other artists working on separate projects, and work in sync with their partners. Experience the
Movement Klara found so fascinating.
Instructors Angélica Brisk and Beverly Mires
Special Thanks to MIT Glass Lab, MIT Museum, NOCA Glass School, Cambridge Cultural Council.
