GLASS AWARDSA clear winner for corporate recognitionAwards & Engraving Business - March/April, 1990By Kim Wilbanks |
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Combining Sculpture and Waterjet Perhaps the greatest flexibility exists in the ability to combine pieces of sculpture with waterjet cut glass for unusual creations. The sculpting expertise of the Hoopers and Aalto's waterjet skills merged to create yet a new channel for glass use in the awards market. The image requested by Greyhound Exposition Services Inc. required a sleek greyhound running above the company acronym GES, explains Bob. The flamework in sculpting the greyhound was needed to reflect the graceful lines of the animal. However, the text required the precision cut edges of the waterjet. Mazda Motors of America was on the lookout for an award that utilized the image of Japanese bonsai artistry. When a consultant saw the glass bonsai tree exhibited in a gallery, he linked Mazda with the artists. The result was a commission to produce glass bonsai sculptures for the company's top executive sales awards. After each piece was completed using the appropriate technique, the two were combined for a one-of-a-kind award. |
There is an unlimited potential for the blend of fine art with awards. Etched Glass Hooper studios also employs the sandblasting talents of Mark Hiteshew, co-designer of the Indy 500 trophy. He was responsible for etching the sophisticated detail of the winning team's faces and car into the glass award. Hiteshew "paints" his designs onto the glass by creating shadows and highlights. He "sculpts" the glass into 3-D relief by eroding away the surface via a series of painstaking layers. One problem with this type of etching is that the work must be done in reverse. Rather than adding color, the sandblaster adds highlight. Once the surface has been etched, it cannot be made clear again. Studio Capabilities The studio continues to produce its fantasy, wildlife and nature sculptures that are shown in art galleries, and over the years collectors of the sculpture have become as diverse as the subjects. Commissioned works include those for Chevron U.S.A., UNICEF and the O'Neill/Pepsi Coldwater Classic. Hooper glass creations also reside in the private collections of Dionne Warwick, Sylvester Stallone, Suzanne Somers and Burt Reynolds. In addition to awards designed for clientele, the studio is capable of creating unique glass sculptures and/or logos for awards retailers who want to capitalize on the diverse applications possible with glass. End |
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