ALTÉTUDE
Thomas Blank and Upterior
Saint-Sulpice, Switzerland
The Altétude exhibition, titled after altitude and études, studies the way in which perception can change by moving away from the surface and shifting the perspective.
October 2019
Altétude is the result of a collaboration between Upterior and Thomas Blank, a master glass artist from Switzerland.
The inspiration draws from a natural phenomenon: a change in altitude is experienced by the body physiologically. Reaching and surviving in higher ground requires the exertion of more effort. Yet, higher altitude allows for the broadest perspective, revealing how things connect.
The exhibition provides several lenses for the study, with the Lava series by Thomas Blank, and the Altitudes series by Upterior.
Altétude becomes a thinking framework for Upterior, that continues to inspire the research and development of patent-pending Waken Glass, the technology that enabled the creation of all the works in the exhibition.
Works in the exhibition:
LAVA by Thomas Blank
LAVA
Thomas Blank presents Lava. The artist is a master of shaping the surface of his glass sculptures. For the three Lava works, Thomas Blank has extended his interest in surfaces to copper. Here, he shapes and hammers the copper in ways that bring to mind his process with blown glass. Pools of color emerge from the copper curves.
Thomas Blank
Thomas Blank is a Swiss artist who has been working with the glass medium for over twenty-three years.
Dubbed a “master of transformation”, Thomas Blank is fascinated by the nature of glass and its versatility. He plays with refraction, reflection and optical illusion to create works that challenge the viewer’s perception. He diligently works the surfaces of his works, creating cuts and textures that expand understanding of the medium.
Blank’s extensive experience in Murano and a Fine Arts degree from San Francisco State University inform his practice. His sculptures are held by the collection of the Museum of Design and Applied Arts in Lausanne, Switzerland (MUDAC) and numerous private collections in North America and Europe.
Works in the exhibition:
ALTITUDES by Upterior
ALTITUDES
Upterior presents Altitudes, a series of works animated by their vibrant display of colors. The peaks and crevasses ripple light across the sculptures. Altitudes reveal their complexity when approached from various angles, allowing the viewer to traverse a range of topographies.
Availability and Pricing
For availability and pricing of all the works, please contact us.
