Canberra Glassworks -

See Warren Langley at Canberra Glassworks!

Internationally renowned artist Warren Langley will be working throughout the facility until early February to create a large scale artwork in glass and light. This work has been commissioned by the ACT Government to be displayed in the Australian Pavilion as part of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and will return to Canberra to a permanent home in the new Women and Children's Hospital at the Canberra Hospital.

See the artwork in progress from the Hotshop Mezzanine located on Level M.

Microscopia is a wall mounted art work, 6. metres long by 3 metres high. It will be made up of 18 panels of glass each individually shaped and formed. The glass panels will be framed and will form a beautiful textured surface for the artist's light painting to shown through.

Making the Glass

Warren Langley assisted by two local artists, Jeremy Lepisto and Bridget Thomas will work in the Engine Room of Canberra Glassworks to create the individually formed glass panels. Each panel of glass is 1metre x 1 metre float glass ( 6mm window glass). A drawing is made on a bed of dry, loose material suitable for firing in a kiln. This is done by pressing rolling and imprinting varying impressions into the material. The glass is placed over that 'drawing' and slowly the kiln is heated up until the glass softens and takes on the form of the drawing. When the glass is cool enough it is cleaned and checked to then undergo a toughening process after which it is ready to be assembled into the artwork.

Assembling the Artwork.

Warren's team will take all the components for the artwork into the Project Space of the Canberra Glassworks which is in full view to the public. A huge light drawing will be created on a backing wall using linear Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The glass panels will be placed in frames and assembled over the light drawing bringing together the two fundamental parts of the artwork; glass and light. The texture and shaping of the glass panels will create a moving surface of light and pattern. As the light travels through the glass, colours will move and blend creating a unique visual effect which continually transforms itself depending on the position of the viewer. After the complete assembling of the 6 metres long by metres high artwork it will be dismantled and prepared for packing and shipping to its first destination, the Australian Pavilion at the Shangai World Expo 2010. After the World Expo in China, Microscopia will return to Canberra and its permanent home at the new Women's and Children's hospital to be built on the Canberra Hospital campus.

DISCOVER CANBERRA GLASSWORKS

Whether you're a visitor or a local, a complete beginner or a professional artist, a kid or an adult, Canberra Glassworks will inspire you with the wonder of glass.

Get a taste of what's on offer
- take a free self-guided tour
- watch the drama of hot glass blowing in the Hotshop
- learn about flame working, kiln forming and cold working in the Workshop
- enjoy the work of some of Australia's and the world's best glass artists in the Glassworks Galleries
- be immersed in the history of the Kingston Powerhouse
- relax and recharge in the Glassworks Café
- browse your way through the Glassworks Shop.

Get familiar with the Glassworks
- get the full picture with a guided tour (includes behind-the-scenes)
- come in 'Off the Street' and make your own glass object
- check out our School Holiday Program for young artists
- get a handle on glass with a half day, weekend or four-session Introductory Class taught by a trained glass artist.

Get serious with glass
- enrol in an ongoing course taught by a leading glass artist

Feed your brain
- check into a lecture on the history of glass or contemporary glass in the Canberra Glassworks Lecture Series.

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