Ups and Downs, Part 3

First of all, I got a text while away that the electrical issue had been resolved.   Sub-standard gauge of wire was used 23 years ago and there were some wires under ground that, through the magic of their equipment, they found were still live.  They think that will the recent installation of pavers (and the use of the tamping machine) that the wire caps loosened. The electrician deactivated the line/s.   A simple solution by the professionals of an annoying and possibly dangerous problem.

At any rate, we needed to return to Corning to pick up our glass pumpkins.  They need 24 to 36 hours to cool so we navigated through Corning on the way home from Hobby House. I love my pumpkin albeit I had little to do with its creation except to provide the my hot air. 

As for the museum, we started with the contemporary gallery.   What’s thing?  Shelves of clear and colored glasses?  Much of the contemporary gallery had to do with perspective.

Until you look at them from another angle.

Even a little bird high up in the greenery.

 

I had to stand and look at this a minute or two before I realized the ever-changing surface of this piece was because it was a reflection.   The black dots are a concave reflection of me.  

It is made up of  thousands of reflective tiles at all angels.  As I moved, the reflection changed.

More contemporary pieces….

The glass ‘blob’ on the pedestal rotated.  As it rotated the silhouette of the woman cast on the wall changed from that of a child to an older woman.   Like an age progression. 

Beautiful butterfly chandelier

This appears to be a fancy pants Mr. Coffee pot!  LOL

Something for everyone’s style and taste.

Unforetunately, there was a problem with the displays.   Perhaps because as a needleworker we are always conscious about sunlight damage and therefore use the non-reflectvie museum glass for displays and framing.  Not having to worry about the sun ruining the glass, the glare and reflectiveness of the items on display was kind of annoying to me.  

Glass mosiac

 

There were great  working studios to watching.   Not only was there a narrator to tell us what was going on, there were large screen monitors to be able to see up close and personal was the artisans were doing.  

This is actually from a camera view of the inside of the kiln.

We watched as this crafter created a glass bear.

From the beginnings to current day.    

Making a packaging champagne bottles.

 Gaffers above and solar panels below.   We did spend the afternoon walking through the Gaffer District in Corning.   About 8 blocks of shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

Glass insert in shutters.  I can only imagine the sun light shining through them.

Tools used to etch and cut glass.

Punch bowl from 1904.  It is the largest American Cut Glass Punch Bowl, 50 pounds of glass was cut away to create this 12 gallon punch bowl.   The punch bowl was made to Tiffany and retailed for $3,000   Boy, I wouldn’t want to be the one to have to move it or clean it!

This chest is an example of the reverse painting that we just learned about at the retreat.

This lady just made me smile.

Cameo Glass

More my type of glass, Arts and Crafts period.  

And stained glass

Paperweights

A large commemorative of the Liberty Bell created in 1905 by the Frye Company of Rochester for the Lewis and Clark Exposition.   It remained on display in Portland, Oregon the 1930’s.

Good old Ball and Mason jars.

Glass beads - beading

 

Goblets and wine glasses

Medicine vials

Perfume bottles

Pyrex.   In the early 1900’s Corning Glass Works developed a borosilicate glass that could withstand extreme heat and cold without breaking. It was used it in battery jars and railroad lanterns. The strength meant battery jars and lanterns no longer broke and needed replacing.  A woman named Bessie Littleton, who was married to Corning scientist Jesse Littleton, found it another way to use this heat resistant glass.  After her earthenware baking dish cracked in her hot oven, Bessie asked Jesse to bring home a battery jar for her to experiment with. The sponge cake Bessie baked in the jar turned out perfectly, and the jar stayed intact. This sent Corning down a new path: cookware. In 1915, the company launched its first Pyrex line (Pyrex combined "pie" and "Nonex") with 12 pieces, including pie plates and a loaf pan.

Soon after, many advertisers were eager to promote this revolutionary glass which resisted to cold and high temperatures, and most of the American households were rapidly equipped with Pyrex® transparent roasters and casseroles.

For some time during the 30’s and 40’s there were actually a group of women who worked onsite at Corning in the “Pyrex Kitchen” where they were design, sample and use pieces that could be added to the collection.

Owen’s-Corning

From the kitchen to the rafters.   Owen’s Corning was founded in the 1930’s when Corning Glass and Owen’s Illinois created a partnership.  They developed and produce insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites.  IN 1938, they became a separate company with its headquarters in Toledo, OH.    They are the world’s largest manufacturer of fiberglass components.  Currently employing about 19,000 people worldwide.

If you managed to make it this far, thanks for stopping by and keep on stitching.