"Pursue Truth" by Mark Ditzler

Kiln-formed glass, sand carved lettering, phosphors, xenon, Plexiglas, wood, paint, electronics. 50" wide x 50" tall x 8" deep, approx. 100 lbs. 2018. Designed for the “BAM! Glasstastic Biennial” at Bellevue Art Museum, these luminous panels are constructed of hollow, kiln-formed glass. They are filled with noble gas and colored phosphors, producing a “lightning in a bottle” effect. They are responsive to touch, and were the only "touchable" item in the biennial. On the panel surface I engraved words that are deliberately ambiguous, but have weighted meaning. The panels are meant to attract the viewer to contemplate the words, and if touched, they will light up, making an interactive voting machine. The concept came out of my frustration with politics where “alternate facts” were being used for argument. We all know there can’t be two sets of facts, and if you have no shared reality there can be no truth. Perfect for a museum, science center, university, or any public space that would benefit from an attractive focal point.

We specialize in fused glass wall panels, which are a unique alternative to framed wall art. They are easy to install, the colors are brilliant and never fade, and the glass is durable and easy to clean. Each panel features our signature twisted cane, made in the hot shop exclusively for the purpose of being re-melted into fused glass. This process exposes the beautiful inner structure of the cane to the viewer. The panels include other colorful details such as iridized glass, Italian-style murrini, gold or silver foils, and brilliant dichroic glass. These design elements are arranged in the kiln and the entire panel is fired to 1500 F, where it becomes one seamless piece. Once cooled, the panel has a reflective backing applied and it is mounted to 3/4" plywood, ready for installation. Mounting hardware is included.

Please see completed projects and make inquiries at www.markditzler.com.