Tacoma Museum of Glass
These are the Crystal Towers on the Bridge of Glass, which was designed by Dale Chihuly and architect Arthur Andersson to connect downtown Tacoma to the Museum of Glass. 
Inside this dramatic tower that looks like the space shuttle crashed into the earth is the hot glass studio.
On the other side of the museum, the gallery held the exhibit Mining Glass, featuring eight artists who did installations using glass, including Kiki Smith. Here’s an interesting article about her use of craft to achieve fine art by Chuck Close for Time.
I couldn’t take photos in the exhibit, so instead I wrote quotes from the artists in my journal. Since some of them were diametrically opposed to how I think and work, I thought they were worth some reflection.
“It’s useful to think that you choose materials just way you’d choose words.” Kiki Smith
“I want the meaning to be embedded so to speak, in the material that I’m using. I choose the material as an expansion of a concept or sometimes in opposition to it.” Mona Hatoum
“Once I realize a connection between concepts, then it’s a matter of finding a visual form that fits the idea…that image then gets stripped down so that there’s just the merest suggestion of it.” Teresita Fernandez
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Welcome to my art adventure blog!
I'm an artist who makes humorous quilts and drawings and shares a studio in an old peanut butter factory with my husband who is also an artist and sculptor. You can also see more of my art at PamRuBert.com
Sounds like it was fascinating.
This will be another stop on our next trip to the Pacific Northwest. I’m taking notes, so please continue blogging on your trip.
xo
Hi Judy, I probably have a couple more things to mention about Seattle, but will have to squeeze it in — I’ve more things to blog about than I have time!
yea Dale Chihuly is pretty cool, They always have OPB tv specials about his works from time to time. looks like tons of fun blowing glass.
I saw some interesting work out here by him, different than the stuff that’s being mass-produced for the museums and hotel lobbies around the country.
Interesting the the idea of concept and material. I think as quilt artists we don’t think about the material because it’s a given. Unless you are going to start using different materials like paper or grass instead of fabric. Of course there is John Garrett and some others who use metal and all kinds of things to make quilts.
I love glass art, it has the kind of light I want to project in my art.
Mary Ann
Hi Mary Ann, I think it’s so wide open for sculptors, sometime I wonder if the choices are overwhelming.
I also find it interesting that some artists (how many I wonder?) choose the medium based on the message they want to portray/project. Kudos to them for having that option. I’ve never felt drawn to any medium other than fabric and thread. The result of my upbringing perhaps? Definitely food for thought.
Enjoy the Pacific NW – inbetween the raindrops! I’m about 60 miles north of Seattle; wish we could get together!
Hi Sue, It did rain a lot after Sunday. I wish I could have stayed out there longer and taken advantage of the art and met you.
Pam, you lucky woman! I hope to visit that museum this winter. Here in Tucson we have Philabaum Studios. Not as famous, no museum, but mighty interesting.
Also, the Spider tells me you are a wealth of information about wacom tablets.
Also, please check my blog, you’ve been tagged. thanks, thelmasmith
Sounds wonderful!