Red Cylinder

Paula Bartron, Red Cylinder, 2004, glass and glass powders, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Colleen and John Kotelly and Gisela and Ben Huberman, 2007.26.2
Copied Paula Bartron, Red Cylinder, 2004, glass and glass powders, 11 x 9 7⁄8 in. (27.9 x 25.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Colleen and John Kotelly and Gisela and Ben Huberman, 2007.26.2

Artwork Details

Title
Red Cylinder
Artist
Date
2004
Location
Dimensions
11 x 9 7⁄8 in. (27.9 x 25.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Colleen and John Kotelly and Gisela and Ben Huberman
Mediums Description
glass and glass powders
Classifications
Object Number
2007.26.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2007.26.2

Artwork Description

In sand casting, molten glass is blown or ladled into a compacted sand mold. Once the material cools, the sand is broken away from the glass, leaving behind an encrusted surface. To create her vessels, Paula Bartron blows glass into sand molds and sifts glass powders onto the outside while the pieces are still hot. She then polishes the interiors by hand to create a glossy surface, which contrasts with the rough exterior formed by the sand. Bartron's technique ultimately limits the amount of light that filters through her pieces, and in Red Cylinder the resulting soft glow is reminiscent of molten lava.