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The New Sculpture Photo Timeline

SEPTEMBER 2007

OCTOBER 2007

DECEMBER 2007

JOHN AT THE TOP

JANUARY 2008

To celebrate Glasform’s 25th anniversary we have built in many passer-by’s opinions a magnificent glass sculpture which has been erected on the premises of Glasform at Windy Harbour, Singleton.

Many years ago John came across theVenini glass chandelier at Manchester airport. He was fascinated by its construction, size and beauty and was very upset and disappointed when it was taken down during the refurbishment of the airport never to be re-installed. He felt there was nothing in the North West that could compare with it. It was this that gave him the inspiration for our sculpture.

Over two years ago we began planning the construction. We submitted plans to the necessary authorities and in October 2005 we were granted permission for the installation.

Due the size of the construction and the weight of the glass we approached our friend Alan Dawson the metal worker and designer to help us out with the specifications for the metal work and the foundations. Alan’s company Alan Dawson Associates has worked on countless projects such as Blue Water in the south, the new Wembley Stadium and Princes Square in Glasgow.

MP Marine Engineering based in Maryport Cumbria constructed and erected the frame work for the sculpture. In August 0f 2007 using a crane the metal frame was hoisted into a deep hole previously dug and fitted with several steel girders. Twelve tonnes of cement was poured into the hole creating the foundations for the installation.

Scaffolding was then erected around the sculpture to enable us to attach the iridescent glass droplets made by our glassblowers over the previous two years. With the help of good friend Michael Fare, the manufacturing team of Glasform John, Steve and Paul attached the glass droplets to the framework.

It had been decided to light the installation up at night and with the help of another good friend John Barnett and his company Stardream a computer programmed system of low powered LEDS was inserted into the body of the sculpture. The system enables the sculpture to be lit in many colours and sequences so that it appears like a living organism in various moods.

A few days before Christmas 2007 the last piece of glass was put onto the framework and the scaffolding removed .The installations stands about 30ft high and has over 4500 iridescent glass droplets that shimmer in the sunlight and pulsate with colour at night.

We have yet to choose a name for the sculpture and a date for its christening.