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Indepth Arts News:
"Tiffany: Behind the Glass"
2000-10-24 until 2001-01-29
Queens Museum of Art
Queens, NY,
USA
A highly interactive exhibition of glassworks by legendary master
of American decorative arts and Queens entrepreneur, Louis
Comfort Tiffany, will be on display at the Queens Museum of
Art, October 24, 2000 - February 4, 2001. Unlike previous shows
that focused exclusively on the finished products, Tiffany: Behind
the Glass will examine the complete process of construction,
manufacture, marketing, and conservation of lamp and window
productions from the Tiffany studio in Corona, Queens. The
exhibition is organized in conjunction with the Neustadt Museum
of Tiffany Art.
Tiffany Behind the Glass is displayed in six parts:
Section one offers an overview of the unique raw materials used
in the manufacture of Tiffany glass and examines the innovative
techniques used in its production.
Section two explores Tiffany's method of constructing opalescent
stained-glass windows. Interactive projects allow the audience to
participate in assembling a stained glass window and manipulate
pane colors to demonstrate how his artisans achieved the unique
Tiffany palette.
Section three introduces the work of four leading Tiffany designers whose
valuable contributions have diminished over the years with the ascension of
Tiffany's reputation. Recent research has shed light on how these artists
influenced the studio dynamic.
Sections four and five address Tiffany's revolutionary marketing concepts
and techniques. Expanding the traditional commissioned style of
manufacturing, Tiffany offered his wide range of styles to the largest
consumer audience possible. A public showroom within the exhibition will
recreate the variety of glass selections produced by his studio.
The sixth, and final, portion of the exhibition, addresses conservation
issues, forgery, glass substitution, fragmentation, and restoration. The
centerpiece of this section is a large narrative window that was originally
located in a Chicago church and recently underwent extensive
conservation. The process is documented on video and available for
viewing. In addition, visitors will be invited to examine an array of
unidentified lamps and windows-- some authentic, some forgeries-- to
determine which items are genuine articles.
Tiffany: Behind the Glass will be curated by Elizabeth DeRosa and
designed by Pat Pauly.
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