Experimental demonstrations with Takeshi Ito, Japan/Czech Republic, and Dr. Elizar Milev, Bulgaria
6 and 7 September 2020, 10:00 am - 02:00 pm
National Academy of Art, Sofia, 100 G.M. Dimitrov Blvd
Takeshi Ito and Velizar Milev met during an international glass symposium in the town of Kamenický Šenov, Czech Republic, in 2018. A year later, they participated in the 8th International Glass Festival in Asselborn, Luxembourg. Takeshi Ito's creative pursuits are in the field of blown glass. Elizar Milev's preferred technique is glass casting. So, the two artists have decided to combine their skills and make a public experiment at the National Academy of Art.
On both days, students can attend lectures and participate in demonstrations/experiments.
Lectures
The objectives of the lectures are exchange of experience, cultural and aesthetic views, and presentation of Japanese glass art.
The lectures will be presented in the exhibition hall of the National Academy of Art, 100 GM Dimitrov Blvd.
6 September 2020 - Lecture 1: History of Japanese Glass and Contemporary Japanese Glass Artists.
7 September 2020 - Lecture 2: Takeshi Ito's ideas about aesthetic norms in his work with glass and his experience in the field.
Demonstrations
The general goal of the demonstrations is to experiment and create artworks of glass in the studios of the National Academy of Art.
6 September 6, 2020
Demonstration 1: Free work with flat glass
Creating of free forms manipulated in hot state and tempered
7 September 2020
Opening of the kiln with the finished works
Demonstration 2: Hot casting of glass with ceramic pots in foundry sand
Working with crystal glass to form free forms cast in sand negatives
Both demonstrations will: 1) show to the students the freedom of thinking and working in material with available equipment otherwise unsuitable for hot free glass molding; 2) end with discussions on the achieved results and technological issues.