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Seekers presents handblown and etched glass by
Gary Genetti, who creates elegant shapes in sparkling colors, accented with
elaborate, gemlike etched designs.
Genetti’s original designs include vases,
bowls, perfume vials, platters, paperweights and other works. His distinctive
etchings includes intricate geometric patterns, floral motifs, birds, animals,
shells and other natural subjects, all depicted in a delicate, meticulous
manner.
Fascinated by "the universality of
decorative pattern," Genetti draws upon influences as diverse as 15th
Century Persian tiles, Native American pottery, American folk art and classic
mythological themes.
Genetti blows each piece of glass himself,
using classic techniques that are thousands of years old. The etching process he
uses dates back to the 1870s and involves high pressure etching with fine grain
sand. A resist tape, on which he hand draws his design, is partially cut away in
stages, revealing the glass to be etched or carved. These exposed portions are
individually etched to achieve the pattern and more deeply carved details. When
completed, each piece is signed and dated.
For his limited edition pieces, Genetti uses
the classic method of Incalmo. This extremely difficult technique involves
joining two or more partially blown pieces of different colors, while hot, and
then blowing the now single piece further into a final shape.
He also uses a casing technique to layer
colors within the pieces, thus allowing him to etch from one layer of color to
another. These pieces are numbered in a limited edition series, with each being
identified by the theme of the design.
Genetti earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the
University of Wisconsin. In 1980, he established his own glass studio in rural
New York state. His works have been shown throughout the United States and are
included in numerous public and private collections.
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