by Casey R. Basden
The art of glassblowing has been around for years, but there are few opportunities
to see the craft demonstrated in public unless on a foreign excursion to Italy
or Mexico two places known for the craft.
Each year, however, Sundance offers an artists-in-residence program with three
artists from Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara: Gustavo Calderon, Octavio Flores and
Vicente Martin Del Campo.
Through January, these artists will take part in the third glass-recycling program at Sundance. For a year, the resort collects all its empty wine bottles for the artists' use during the three- to six-month residency.
During this time, the artists create original pieces from recycled-glass. To make any one piece, wine bottles have to be soaked in water, the label scraped off and then broken into fine pieces before being placed in the kiln to melt. The artists then go to work using blow tubes to create an original masterpiece.
According to the executive director of Sundance, "The chemical process of recycled glass is very different than fine glass, which Dale Chihuly would use. Typically the glass cools much, much faster than the molten fine glass that he would use in fine glassblowing. As a result, the artists have to work as a team much, much faster."
Chihuly is known as one of today's finest glass artists. His work can be seen in galleries and museums across the United States and around the world. In Utah, Chihuly's work can be seen at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City.
As for Calderon, Flores and Del Campo, they can be seen Thursdays through Mondays at the Sundance Village glassblowing facility working on various projects.
"Typically, one to two days a week they are able to work on their own, what I call gallery pieces. The rest of the time they are working on the orders we're placing for them," says the Director.
These items include goblets, wine glasses and charger plates needed for Sundance's restaurants along with privately commissioned work, which includes vases and various functional works depending on the customers' needs. Sundance will use their pieces in the Foundry Grill, the Tree Room, Zoom in Park City and Squatters in Salt Lake City.
For those not interested in having a piece commissioned, the artists' have pieces for sale at Sundance's Art Shack adjacent to the glassblowing studio.
From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. guests of the resort can watch the artists at work. Explaining the art form, the Director says, "You can have an idea, however, it's always subject to shape. For example, you can create a particular form, but every one has small variations tied to the artists or the material. But, when done over a long period of time and practice, you get a fluency. What I love about the process of glassblowing there are certain formulas. There is no formula to the art side of it. It is open to your imagination. In the final analysis of it, so much is about the color."
The kiln is heated to 2,000 degrees and takes between three and four days to reach that temperature. As a result, the kiln is heated upon the artists' arrival and is not turned off until they depart unless maintenance is needed.
Because of Sundance's mission to foster independent voice and its commitment to protecting the environment, the Director says, "I think this emphasis on this balance between art and this preservation of the environment is worthy of mentioning because this is not only an aesthetic we have, but it's good for the environment."
According to Insa Riepen, executive director of Recycle Utah, glass that is thrown away never deteriorates. Therefore, the recycling facility started collecting blue glass a few years ago to donate to Sundance for the artists-in-residence glassblowing program.
Reflecting on the process, the Director says, "Out of something very functional a wine bottle comes a work of art. What is in the bottle is a work of art rather than a science and there is this reverence of having something that was made by a winemaker and transforming it to the art of a glassblower. There is something very poetic about that."
Glassblowing artists Gustavo Calderon, Octavio Flores and Vicente Martin Del Campo currently present glassblowing demonstrations Thursdays through Mondays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Sundance Village glassblowing facility. Demonstrations will continue through January. For more information, 801 225-4107.
Nestled at the base of 12,000-foot Mt. Timpanogos, Sundance is a 6,000-acre community preserve dedicated to maintaining the balance of art, nature and community. Sundance offers diverse mountain recreation experiences and encourages the cultivation of art and self-expression, as well as the preservation of the land. Created by Robert Redford, Sundance is a haven for discovery and inspiration. The Sundance family of companies includes the Sundance Village, Sundance Institute, Sundance Channel and Sundance Catalog. For more information on Sundance, call 801-225-4107 or visit our website, www.sundanceresort.com.