Edge Performance

I have been reading The Power of Pull by Hagel, Brown and Davison. It claims that we used to rely on acquiring sets of knowledge for success in our fields.  With information flowing so fast in this Internet age, that is no longer adequate. To shine one needs a community. Now that community can be the whole world, and it could be from seemingly diverse and unconnected fields. In this class we are learning how to attract people to our causes.  With this power of pull we can gather like minded individuals from around the globe, shape serendipity to likely outcomes, form creative spaces to achieve new heights, and transform institutions. It's an inspiring book.

I am still a beginner in this process. The above 3 pictures illustrate the happy results of introducing new points of view, albeit old school.  The red tree is a 36"x24" fused glass panel where colored chips of glass make up the negative space. To achieve the intricate outlines of the tree I used vinyl cut stencils that sign makers use. Traditionally the 2 fields are somewhat unconnected.

The peonies bowl combines my expertise in sculptural ceramics with glass slumping. I have not seen the application of glass color done this way before. It's a little bit like pate-de-verre, but more free flowing.

The hummingbirds panel combines sculptural ceramics with fused glass. The result is not the smooth clean surface one thinks of ceramics, but it does have its own virtues. Now that it is made, maybe someone will find it worthwhile.

I enjoy taking techniques to the edge. Fortunately I have a wide range of experiences and the willingness to cross borders. I am hoping to expand my community to nourish some of these developments.