Posted on Friday, July 13, 2012 by Elin Christopherson
CCA visiting artist Don Friedlich participated as an artist in residence in spring 2012. He had been invited on behalf of the college's Glass and Jewelry / Metal Arts Programs. While at CCA Friedlich experimented with glass processes and worked directly with students.
Artist's Techniques
Metal arts and glass are ancient mediums, and while Friedlich is a craftsman in the traditional sense, he also incorporates new industrial technologies in his work.
Friedlich brought computer numerical-controlled milled graphite molds into the Hot Shop where Glass 2 students filled them with hot glass using press-molding and fire-polishing techniques. He also brought 3D printed vitreous objects -- glass objects created by a machine from a computer-aided design file.
During class, he painted vitreous enamel colors onto these objects and fired them in the Glass Shop kilns. Using CCA shop facilities, Friedlich CNC milled a plaster blow mold and had students blow glass into it.
About Don Friedlich
Friedlich is an artist living and working in Madison, Wisconsin. His jewelry has recently been in major international exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Toledo Museum of Art. His work is currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as part of their permanent collection.
His many awards include a National Endowment for the Arts New England Regional Fellowship and the 2001 Renwick Gallery Acquisition Award at the Smithsonian Craft Show.