Glass artist heating glass to over 2000 degrees F at Tacoma Glass Museum
This week's Photohunt theme is hot. I thought first about doing the obvious - weather. We are having a couple of late summer hot days. Eighty degrees! But I thought I would share another Pacific Northwest place that is 'hot' - The Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Their tag line is "Hot glass. Cool art."
I love this museum. It is so creative and imaginative. I usually start by walking across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. My favorite area is the Seaform Pavilion although the Crystal Towers are also stunning.
The bridge leads to the top of the museum and the volcano shaped stainless steel cone that is the top of the hot shop . Stairs curve around the cone and down to the outdoor glass exhibits. Inside the Hot Shop Amphitheater, glass artists work with the furnaces that burn to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. The Glory Holes heat the glass to over 2,000 degree F which makes the glass malleable and allows the artist to blow or shape the pieces. The Amphitheater is open during museum hours to allow visitors to watch the artists.
I don't know what attracts me the most - the danger of working with the hot glass or the beauty of the creations.
Shaping the glass
Elevator platform at top of the stairs
Hot Shop Cone
I love the metal work
Crystal Towers - Chihuly Bridge of Glass
Seaforms - Chihuly Bridge of Glass
Comments (17)
So beautiful, Marta! I love Chihuly's work. The Seaforms glass reminds me of the ceiling art in Bellagio Hotel's lobby.
Posted by nancyhol | September 3, 2010 9:36 PM
Posted on September 3, 2010 21:36
Great pics, Marta -- and definitely re the idea of hot glass making for cool art! :)
Posted by YTSL | September 3, 2010 11:46 PM
Posted on September 3, 2010 23:46
I think the tag line matches the museum perfectly. The museum looks like a wonderful place to visit.
Posted by maya | September 3, 2010 11:57 PM
Posted on September 3, 2010 23:57
Out of that heat comes such gorgeous work!
This is on my lists of spots to check out in the NW when I ever make it there.
Posted by Jerry | September 4, 2010 3:27 AM
Posted on September 4, 2010 03:27
I love your take on the theme and these terrific photos. That Hot Shop cone is very cool looking. I'd love to visit this place.
Have a nice holiday weekend.
Posted by Annie | September 4, 2010 4:28 AM
Posted on September 4, 2010 04:28
Hi Marta, what a coincidence, I did glass blowing (Venice) too. I really love your photo collection and definitely your take on the theme. :)
This museum looks amazing. The glass pieces are really stunning. The last photo with all the bright colors is very beautiful.
Thanks so much for sharing and have a wonderful long holiday weekend.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | September 4, 2010 6:22 AM
Posted on September 4, 2010 06:22
What beautiful photos and a great take on the theme.
This looks like a wonderful place to visit.
Posted by Susie L | September 4, 2010 9:09 AM
Posted on September 4, 2010 09:09
Your photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Liz @ MLC
Posted by Liz | September 4, 2010 9:40 AM
Posted on September 4, 2010 09:40
perfect
Posted by julie | September 4, 2010 11:29 AM
Posted on September 4, 2010 11:29
That's hot work. Reminds me a bit of watching the glass makers making knickknacks for sale in a department store.
Posted by Alice Audrey | September 4, 2010 1:21 PM
Posted on September 4, 2010 13:21
Those are stunning pieces of art! I love the way you've captured the heat from the furnace in the top picture particularly.
Posted by A. @ A Changing Life | September 4, 2010 1:31 PM
Posted on September 4, 2010 13:31
Such a lovely series for the theme. I love the glow of the fires in the top photos :-)
Posted by CherryPie | September 4, 2010 3:04 PM
Posted on September 4, 2010 15:04
I love Chihuly's work. I wanted to take glass blowing in college but my college didn't offer it. However, I am hoping to take a glass bead-making course this fall.
http://mudpuddle.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/photohunter-hot/
Posted by Anneke (Mudhooks) | September 5, 2010 12:57 AM
Posted on September 5, 2010 00:57
when I was in University, in our main street, there is a Market place, and a man was blowing glass just like your man.
Thanks for memories
Posted by ann new zealand | September 5, 2010 2:44 AM
Posted on September 5, 2010 02:44
Beautiful! I think I'd personally be nervous working with such hot temperatures, but the results are so worth it :)
Posted by Sue St Clair | September 5, 2010 10:14 AM
Posted on September 5, 2010 10:14
Beautiful photos and architecture, i'd like a window made of those seaforms.
Posted by gitwizard | September 5, 2010 11:49 AM
Posted on September 5, 2010 11:49
Outstanding photos Marta!
Posted by Barb Cabot | September 17, 2010 9:45 PM
Posted on September 17, 2010 21:45