CUTTING GLASS CREATIVELY WITH ABRASIVE WATER JET-AN OVERVIEW

摘要

This paper intends to give an overview to the research that has been carried during the past four years relating to cutting glass for creative industries using abrasive waterjet.rnGlass is used in an increasing variety of ways in art and architecture. Artists employing this material seek to work it into creative and complex forms. It needs to be cut, manipulated and moulded into shape. The current cutting practices within most glass artists' studios are relatively basic, making some glass applications difficult or impossible to execute. The development of new technologies such as waterjet enables new cutting methods to be incorporated into the glass artist's practice. Within this developing context, the aims of the research were:rn1. To establish and demonstrate parameters of practice in cutting glass using waterjet for creative purposesrn2. To produce a substantial body of practical work exploring the creative uses of waterjet cutting with written exposition.rnThe research was initiated with a series of cutting trials undertaken with companies both in the U.K. and Germany. The trials investigate the parameters and quality of cutting from a variety of glass types used commonly within studio practice. This laid the groundwork for the artworks and served to gain a unique 'intimacy' with the machine.rnThe investigation explores and enhances the practical and creative parameters through 'informed play' using the waterjet process. This was achieved by generating a series of artworks by the researcher and facilitating those of other artists.rnThe development of personal artworks and case studies were undertaken in parallel to extend and exemplify an understanding of the possibilities of the creative use of waterjet and glass. The resulting artworks encompassed the three main areas of glass practice: Architectural, Kiln-work, and Hot glass. The artworks have been exhibited in national and international contexts.rnThe important characteristics of risk, intimacy and process have been explored to enable a model of practice to be developed enabling successful creative application of waterjet.rnThe research consisted of innovative artwork using cutting, milling and piercing with written exposition; which combined form a model of practice which serves to extend the perceptions of this technology that others may build upon.