The subject of the first International Glass Prize of GlazenHuis in Lommel, Belgium was The Object — its identity and characteristics such as beauty and quality. But what happens on the way from idea to reality? Which path does the artist take — consciously or unconsciously — to be able to finally present a finished work to the public? Is there first the creative process, which is followed by the process of creation? Or do both run parallel to one another, influencing one another? What triggers the creative process which then results in the process of creation, in the process of making? These are the questions the second International Glass Prize addresses. The leitmotif is The Process.
Karen Vermeren (BE) Svinafellsjökull in the GlazenHuis 2015, glass, Acryl paint, dimensions in situ, photo: Kristof Vrancken
Winner Money prize
A total of 345 artists from 45 countries responded to the invitation. From more than 750 submissions, the jury selected 61 works by 51 artists from 13 countries, an exciting crossover of art, design, and crafts. Besides pure glass objects there are sculptures made of mixed media, painterly and graphic works, photographs, videos and performances, light installations, and large-scale sculptures. They let us surmise where the journey with glass might be taking us and reflect the philosophy of GlazenHuis, which is to appreciate the medium in its entirety. Glass as an object of daily use and as designer piece. Glass in the past and future, glass in contemporary art.
Jens Gussek (Germany): Stalingrad, 2015, glass mosaic, 51 x 194 x 4 cm, photo: Jens Gussek, photo: Kristof Vrancken, Winner Money Prize
The International Glass Prize is an initiative of the Charlotte van der Seijs Foundation. With an endowment of 12,000 euros in total, the benefactor, who died in 2007, wanted to give artists a chance to work more freely, regardless of age, whether student or experienced art maker. The money is divided amongst a maximum of three award winners. In addition, the foundation supports two artist residencies at the studios of GlazenHuis and covers all costs for transporting the selected works.
Matthew C. Szösz (USA): Ampere’s Law
It is an exciting and sometimes long process from the first creative idea to planning to realization. Each of these mental journeys is a journey into the future of glass. But as Jeroen Maes, artistic director of GlazenHuis, admits, he cannot possibly predict where the development will take us.
Petra Reategui, Journalistin und Autorin, Köln
Klara Horácková: Mirror 2013, mirrors, Aluminium, electric device, 260 x 510 x 240 cm, photo: Jan Kudej & Klara Horackova
