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During my studies at Louisiana State University, students and faculty engaged in an ongoing, polarized argument about the perception of imagery in stained glass. Those from a painterly background and those who were seriously committed to the surface treatment of glass (painting, etching, etc.), tended to be preoccupied with two-dimensional imagery in stained glass. They typically minimized, ignored or denied the importance of transparency. In the context of the autonomous panel, this view was reinforced by the frustrating fact that the artist has no control over where and under what conditions a finished panel will be viewed. As you might have guessed, I was a member of the opposing camp, maintaining that full utilization of the stained glass medium must include a serious acknowledgement of its three-dimensional presence. This strongly held belief was further kindled as I began to undertake my first commissioned stained glass in architectural environments having specific views, lighting conditions and orientations. Studies with the German architectural stained glass designers, Schaffrath and Schreiter also reinforced this viewpoint. In contrast to the blank canvas that greets the start of the design of an autonomous stained glass panel, there are many undeniable cues that accompany the design of a commission for an architectural installation. The cues vary greatly from project to project, but usually include the architectural concept and style, the intended uses of the space, materials and finishes, solar orientation, views into and out of the space and their desirability, the budget, the building committee, scheduling, architectural detailing of windows, maintenance, etc. etc. The comments that accompany the following examples of architectural stained glass will focus on these cues and how they influenced the particular design solution. For clarity, the architectural commissions are subdivided into five categories: Residential , Public and Commercial , Places of Worship , Windowless Stained Glass and Suspended Sculpture . Unless otherwise specified, all glass is mouthblown (antique) glass. |
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