The September 29 Museumgoer story in The New Orleans Advocate | The Times-Picayune visits “Sand, Ash, Heat: Glass at the New Orleans Museum of Art,” a compelling look inside NOMA’s glass collection that challenges visitors to see beyond the pretty. Read the story here. Listen to the podcast audio here (or just click on the audio bar below). Bookmark an October 9 gallery tour by co-organizer Mel Buchanan here. Purchase the exhibit’s comprehensive catalog here.
Good news! A better microphone system is out for delivery as I type this post. I like the idea of in-gallery conversations, but the results so far have sometimes been hard to listen to. Look forward to much better gallery audio in the near future! Thanks to Lauren Walker for the tech recommendation.
For those interested in following along with my walk-and-talk with Mel, here are some photos of a few of the elements we discussed, complete with timecodes:
Fred Wilson’s 2017 chandelier is the centerpiece of the exhibit entrance. Buchanan discusses it 11:20. (Image courtesy of NOMA.)
At about 17:00, we move to a long case with many different examples of glass objects, including the uranium glass decanter at right. (Image courtesy of NOMA.)
Buchanan discusses these more contemporary pieces at 38:40.
The objects in these cases, including a sugar bowl at center, are discussed at 34:48.
Learn about the moment when glass becomes art, including the Maurice Marinot bottle pictured here, at 38:00. (Image courtesy of NOMA.)
Learn about a gallery dedicated to the “Mini and Mighty” glass bead, including those in use on Dow M. Edwards’ Spyboy suit from Mardi Gras 2018, at 42:15.
Buchanan discusses the Cini Boeri and Tomu Katayanagi “Ghost Chair” at 44:00. (Image courtesy of NOMA.)
At 45:38 is a discussion of Olafur Eliasson’s “The Hinged View.”
At 47:18, Mitchell Godet’s “The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony Wrath and Sloth.”
At 48:15, Sharif Bey’s “Domestic: Queen,” commissioned by NOMA.
And at 50:33, a collection of works by Deborah Czeresko. (Image courtesy of NOMA.)
Special thanks to Mel Buchanan, pictured here to the left of the “Sand, Ash, Heat” catalogue. (Images courtesy of NOMA.)
Where noted, images are courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art. Otherwise, they’re mine.
“Sand, Ash, Heat” is on view through February 10, 2025.
Thanks as always for reading and maybe listening.
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