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Seekers
presents glass sculpture by
Joel Bloomberg
, who creates large scale constructions of clear and colored glass that he calls
kinetic mosaics.
Inspired
by architecture and the high-tech images of late twentieth century
industrialized society, Bloomberg regards his sculptures as allegorical
statements. He notes that people seem to be fascinated by the frequent
discrepancy between the facade of something and what’s inside, whether it’s
a building, a machine or something organic.
His kinetic
mosaics are an ongoing series of sculptures in which he explores form, color
and optics. The limited edition and one of a kind pieces incorporate glass
materials from a wide range of resources.
Inside
each sculpture is a carefully constructed glass mosaic. Working with a
assortment of brightly colored glass, some of which he has made and blown
himself, Bloomberg designs each mosaic so that the exterior shell of the
sculpture will magnify and distort the images within.
Once
the interior mosaic has been created, he encloses it in a clear glass facade of
ribbed or patterned glass which he laminates along with solid elements that add
optical interest.
The
kinetic quality is achieved when the piece is viewed from different perspectives
and, also, when the source of light is changed.
“Light
plays an important part with these pieces,” he explains. “Colors and
reflections can look very different depending on the time of day, direction of
the light, or other factors affecting light.”
Joel
makes a series of “Jellyfish” lamps that evoke the transparency and
fragility of the actual animals. In 2005 he finished an architectural commission
for a series of these lamps to be hung as a group in a new upscale restaurant in
Tysen Corners Mall, in
Virginia
.
Bloomberg
earned a Bachelors degree in Ceramics and Glass from
California
State
University
,
Chico
and subsequently completed graduate work in glass at the same school. An
accomplished glassblower and sculptor, he previously worked in clay and glass
before focusing on glass as his sculptural medium. He established his own
Southern California
studio in 1979.
His
work has been shown at major galleries, museums and juried exhibitions
throughout the
United States
.
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