Rochester sculptor Albert Paley is working with scientists and glassmakers at Corning Incorporated, to create objects by fusing glass and metal.
Before Corning developed a type of glass that has the same properties as the metal alloy Kovar, this would not have been possible because the two materials have vastly different cooling rates.
Paley will be publicly demonstrating his glass and metal work for the first time at Corning's new Amphitheater Hot Shop today and Saturday.
"One thing that's similar between metal and glass is that the forms - the way I'm approaching it, anyhow - are dealing with heat," Paley said. "So, it's basically a form evolution and by its nature, because of the heat, it's an organic, kind of plastic evolution of form that expresses the unique character of those given materials."
Paley said the unique characteristics of Corning specialty glasses will allow him to explore new techniques and materials previously unavailable to him.
Last year, Paley was selected as the first artist for a new specialty glass residency program offered by The Corning Museum of Glass and Corning Incorporated.
