Have you ever wondered what happens to all those unwanted glass bottles you throw into the recycling bin? Engineer and artist Bill Hess takes some of that unwanted glass and reconstitutes it into beautiful works of art. We caught up with Bill to ask him a few questions about art, the environment and working with recycled glass.
Tell us a bit about the work you do.
Primarily, I design and fabricate products and sculpture using recycled glass and steel. Also, I work as a consultant product designer in both corporate and small business settings and as a teacher offering workshops, lectures and classes for a variety of age groups.
I strive to create a stronger connection to the environment in all of my projects. In recent years, I have been experimenting a lot with recycled bottle glass. I make tiles, table lamps, wall sconces, window blocks, clocks, sun catchers, candle holders, bowls, birdbaths, coasters, jewelry, and my latest experiments include vanity sinks and a fountain design.I am always on the lookout for innovative ways to use recycled glass either as sculpture, functional art, or even a purely technical product.
What sort of art do you create?
I create both freestanding sculpture and installation type pieces using glass, metal and other media depending on the situation. My art tends to involve nature themes that are slightly distorted to become whimsical, ironic, or surreal. For a particular project, I will often take a basic shape such as a tree branch, figure, or flower, select the materials, and let the story evolve.
Do you use a lot of reclaimed materials?
Yes, I use reclaimed materials almost exclusively. I work with glass and steel primarily; I have also used plastic and other media. I gather my supplies from the local recycling center, junkyard, or people give them to me.
Why do you choose to use reclaimed/recycled materials?
I have always enjoyed using discarded materials in creating. I find it magical to work with and transform an object's prior history and energy. Admittedly, I feel frugal, but more so, I feel ecological. I strive for efficiency and intelligence in utilizing objects and materials that are beautiful and readily available. I get thrills in the adventures of combing junkyards, recycling centers, and dumpsters. Over the past 10 years, this re-use philosophy has meshed well with my interest in conveying a message to connect more deeply to the earth— spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Have you always used recycled glass in your work?
For many years, my sculpture incorporated only welded steel parts.Several years ago, while living in Seattle (one of the largest glass communities in the country), I became curious about using glass to add more color and light to my metal sculpture. After my first class in glass casting, I became mesmerized with this material. Much exploration ensued in casting glass to incorporate natural and industrial objects, however, I longed for a way to add an ecological footprint to this method of making sculpture. Since the glass I was using was virgin material formulated especially for studio work,
I began researching methods of melting and molding discarded glass bottles to create patterns and images.
Just as I enjoyed using discarded metal from local junkyards, I became infatuated with the idea of creating sculpture and new products using bottles that are abundantly available in local recycling centers. As timing can be, a friend rescued a discarded kiln and gave it to me as an appropriate beginning to my exploits in kiln-formed recycled glass. It's been about 4 years now since my first experiments with recycled glass to create sculpture and functional art.
How does the combination of engineering and art training work together?
I have found this type of training to be challenging and provocative. My artistic mindset provides creative inspiration in more engineering-type projects, and my engineering mindset aids in technical problem solving for artistic projects. Working with glass can be quite technical, and recycled glass is especially challenging since its properties are inconsistent (compared with studio formulated glass).
I've relied on my engineering background to design molds and assess work that doesn't come out as planned. Periodically, I contemplate ways to use recycled glass in a non-artistic context or purely functional, technical product or application. In general, I think my training has helped me approach situations in design or working with people with a flexible mindset and the ability to appreciate issues from a broad range of perspectives.
What is your dream art project?
There have been lots over the years… right now it's either a meditation room with sculpted glass and integrated lighting and sound on the floor, ceiling, and walls or a 6-foot tall-sculpted glass fountain that theoretically purifies water while being decorative
How does the environment manifest in your work?
From a technical perspective, I feel that by using recycled and reclaimed materials I am conserving energy and resources to be sensitive to the environment. In terms of the actual look and themes of work, I integrate obvious environmental subject matter (as mentioned in one of my previous answers) such as trees and tree branches, flowers, and landscapes.
My tile designs echo microscopic biological structures such as plant cells or bacteria. I also create hints of celestial bodies. This tile imagery came by surprise since the look of my glasswork often completely changes after being heated and melted. My glass pieces have an earthy feel sometimes similar to stone or clay.
You also teach classes - tell us a bit about that side of your work.
Yes, I enjoy teaching people of all ages. I enjoy helping others expand their perspective on creating and designing and connecting with the earth. In my teaching, I weave a component of being more sensitive and mindful both of the earth and of other people.
Visit: http://www.ideasonlegs.com/
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