GGW "e" Vignettes • Vol. XVI, No. 2 • April 2009

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Founded in 1979, the glass art studio of Gong Glass Works is directed by artist Nancy Gong. Gong Glass Works specializes in the design and fabrication of glass art work including leaded, etched, carved, chipped and painted glass. GGW is also the distributor for UltraGlas Inc. The primary focus is on site-specific installations, embracing fine art, decorative art, architectural ornamentation, signage and graphics. GGW designs for residential, commercial and institutional applications with emphasis on customer satisfaction; sensitive, responsive and enduring designs and quality craftsmanship.

In Art, Science & Life, What is the Question,

an Art Glass Wall in Progress at RIT
Photo by Nancy Gong.
Photo by Nancy Gong.
Mike Carbone, checking it out at the end of a day, with the help of many a 54' x 10' curved art glass wall is coming to life.

To hear about design details and more, see TV news videos below or visit:

In the early stages, CJS Architects had envisioned a segmented curved wall in Rochester Institute of Technology's new Administration Building. The wall would physically divide the lobby from the Innovation Center, yet at the same join the two with visibility through the art glass. The Center is to be the happening – a gathering place inspired by science and technology for students and staff. The lobby is the check in area for student services with ofices in the remainder of the building.

Designers at Bergmann Associates envisioned etched glass with a wave design. We talked about the practicality of ordinary etched glass from a maintenance point of view. I suggested hand chipped glass with unique etched textures which would require minimal maintenance. We talked about the significance of the waves in the elevations – interior drawings. The drawings were presented as a concept. I was given artistic license and was inspired by the Bose Einstein Condensate Theory Waves to join all 13 panels of glass. To complete the landscape, imagery that relates to the nine schools within RIT was used with a heavy emphasis on science and high technology.

Representatives from the design / build team: RIT, Welliver & McGuire, the general contractor and Rochester Glass Inc. worked with me methodically and meticulously to help make it happen. It's been a real team effort which has included assistance and coordination from Bay Tile and Marble and multiple tradesmen on site. "It is especially exciting to be able to share my art with the students and professors, stewards and stewards-to-be of our world, on a campus that breeds innovation and creativity." It's a project we can all be proud of. Bookmark the web site above to see completion photos in the near future.
Artist at work. "It's going to look ugly before it looks beautiful!"
Artist at work. Photo by Mike Carbone.
Artist at work. Photo by Mike Carbone.

For a limited time

• To see video Creativity in the Construction Zone, TV 10 WHEC with Janet Lomax, March 27 2009 click here.

• To see video Working on RIT's Etched Glass Wall, TV 13 WHAM with Holly Maynard, April 7, 2009 click here.

• To see news story: Innovation is in Nancy Gong's DNA, Democrat & Chronicle by Melissa F. Pheterson with Luke Rosiak and Jay Capers, April 12, 2009 click here.

In Art, Science & Life, What is the Question will be completed in mid April. The goal is to have the building completed and open for the annual Innovation Festival at RIT. For more information and a chance to see the art in person, visit: http://www.rit.edu/imagine/

Happy Spring! Nancy

GGW "e" Vignettes is published by Nancy Gong, Gong Glass Works. All glass designs,contents and photos ©2009 Nancy Gong unless otherwise noted. To be sure to receive Gong Glass Works' "e newsletter" add gong@gong.pmailus.com to your address book. Do NOT send e-mails direct to the pmail plus address, it is a server address. To contact Nancy at Gong Glass Works, e-mail to Nancy@nancygong.com or call 585-288-5520. I'd love to hear from you. To see more newsletters, or to join the mailing list, click here. Your email address will not be sold or distributed in any way. With GGW "e" Vignettes vs. the studio post mail program, you'll get to see and hear more about exciting studio projects. To see more of Nancy's work, visit: http://www.NancyGong.com. Please pass this on!

 

Below: New Multi-cultural Art Glass Blessings; Om, Yin & Yang and Om Mani Padme Hum. For more information, contact: mailto:ngong@rochester.rr.com