First 'Glass' ticket from Thurso to Paris
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Thurso based glass artist Ian Pearson is fired up about heading to Paris to promote his work and the glassblowing art form to an international audience.
In this Year of Glass Ian’s last commission involved making a glass crown to be worn at the Lord Mayor of London’s annual parade. Now Ian is planning to attend the Paris International School of Scientific Glass (Lycee Dorian, Glass Training School).
In Paris, Ian will present the world premiere of a new short film, “Glass and Tuba” – an artistic collaboration showcasing not only his glass creations, but also photography, videography, musical composition and performance. The film also highlights the scenery and landmarks around his Thurso studio, including River Thurso.
Ian explained: “Scientific glassblowing is a very specialised art and the number of people practising the skill is fast diminishing to the point where it is becoming a protected trade under threat of becoming extinct.”
Ian wishes to raise the profile of scientific glassware and those that create this work. One approach to showing scientific glassware to the public is to position the glass objects in locations that appear out of context. “Most people would expect to see scientific glass in a laboratory so when I set up my display in the centre of Thurso in Sir John’s Square then a few eyebrows were raised by those passing by. Several stopped and asked questions which I was more than happy to answer.”
He adds to his story by saying: “In 1990 I set up a small lamp working studio which sits on the banks of River Thurso and I regard my working environment as beyond the four walls of my studio."
Ian hopes his style of promoting scientific glass will find favour in Paris and his example will be followed up by students at the School of Scientific Glassblowing. Typically, students spend three years learning the skills before graduating and leaving to find employment across the globe.
The original music for Ian's film was specially written and recorded for it, and is a collaboration between tuba player Jon Hodkin of InnerTuba and composer, synthesised sound creator and pianist William Gilmour. Credit for making “Glass and Tuba” goes to Mark Griffin, of 3B Productions.
