Sanctuary
Sanctuary
This piece is an updated version of my original Sanctuary piece. Signed 2023
Original Sanctuary // 2008 // This piece came to life or “emerged” after years of my own deep depression. At times we all need or wish for a “safe/calm place”, whether it be mental or physical. The structure of the Reticello represents a barrier to protect and contain. The ball inside being myself; White was used to represent light, peace, and tranquility.
📸: Russell Johnson
Dimensions: 13” h x 10”w x 10”d
For International customers:
After purchase, a shipping quote will be emailed within 24 hours.
If you accept, simply pay the invoice and the piece will go out.
If you decline, you will be refunded and the piece will go back online.
What is Reticello? Simply it is: (Italian, “glass with a small network”) A type of blown glass made with canes organized in a crisscross pattern to form a fine net, which may contain tiny air traps.
Although the theory is simple, the execution is meticulous-
Start by pulling cane with a colored core
Chop cane to length & sort by diameter
Lay out canes on a preheated steel or ceramic plate (typically 30-75 canes)
Heat the plate until the canes fuse together and form a “ribbed” sheet
Roll the sheet up on the end of the blow pipe, thus forming a tube.
Carefully twist the tube and close the end. By closing the tube you create a bubble which can then be inflated
Inflate and further twist the bubble
Make this bubble into a slightly tapered cup with a small hole on the bottom
Maintain this cup while repeating the process over except this time twisting the cane in the opposite direction
Blow the second bubble into the first cup. The opposing directions of the twist make the pattern, the ribbed texture traps an air bubble at every intersection.
Compress and smooth the bubble
Carefully examine and determine whether you have succeeded enough to proceed with blowing a piece … If not, start over ;)
Photo Credit: Russell Johnson