The Museum of Glass will open its doors on July 6 with an exhibition of the monumental work of Stanislav Libensky´ and Jaroslava Brychtová, two of the world’s most respected sculptors who focused on glass. The Inner Light: Sculpture by Stanislav Libensky´ and Jaroslava Brychtová features 23 preliminary drawings, 13 paintings and 20 sculptures which demonstrate the distinctive ability of glass to capture and incorporate light.
The Inner Light: Sculpture by Stanislav Libensky´ and Jaroslava Brychtová focuses on the artists’ work from the 1990s to 2001 and includes several pieces that will be exhibited in the United States for the first time. Libensky´, who died in February 2002 at age 80, was regarded as one of the world’s greatest art teachers. He held the position of Head Professor of the Glass Studio at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague from 1963 to 1987 and taught with Brychtová at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Wash. in the mid-1980s.
“Libensky´ and Brychotvá’s joint contribution was not only their vision and body of work, but also their untiring dedication to pushing the medium and teaching others to do the same,” said Neil Watson, chief curator at the Museum. “Their collaborative efforts represent the fusion of technique and spirituality.” Libensky´ is survived by Brychtová, his artistic partner and wife.
Robert Kehlmann, a noted expert on Stanislav Libensky´ and Jaroslava Brychtová, is the guest curator of the exhibition. Kehlmann will be speaking at the Museum about The Inner Light: Sculpture by Stanislav Libensky´ and Jaroslava Brychtová on July 5, Members Preview Day. Memberships are available at the door and on the Museum’s Web site www.museumofglass.org. The University of Washington Press will publish a fully illustrated catalogue of the exhibition.
Opening in July, the Museum of Glass will be a fine arts museum dedicated to the presentation of the medium of glass within the context of contemporary art in all media. The Museum will present the richness and diversity of the art of our time and explore how glass draws from and contributes to the many facets of contemporary art. With advanced, specialized facilities for the exhibition and interpretation of art, the Museum will define specialized museums for the 21st century. In addition to the Hot Shop Amphitheater where visitors can watch artists work, the facilities include galleries, outdoor exhibition areas, a theater, Education Studio, grand hall, store and café.
IMAGE:
Stanislav Libensky & Jaroslava Brychtová
Impression of the Large Angel I, II
1996-97, mold-formed glass,
90.5 x 44 inches
Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
(Impression of the Large Angel I)
The Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection
(Impression of the Large Angel II)
photo credit: Gabriel Urbanek
Museum of Glass - Tacoma, WA
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