Each edition of Révélations unveils an exceptional work showcased at the event as the emblem of its visual identity. Reflecting both the creator’s style and the biennial’s values, this piece embodies the notions of mastery of one’s craft, transformation of high-quality materials, and the universality of craftsmanship.
For this 7th edition, Révélations has chosen a mesmerising work by Danish-Swedish glassblower Maria Bang Espersen, whose workshop is in Småland county, Sweden. This artwork embodies the international contemporary creation at the heart of the biennial. Her approach to matter is experimental and investigative, always curious to find new ways of using it. She explores and pushes back the properties of glass through unconventional processes.
Rock Mountain#1, the emblematic piece of Revelations 2023
This piece, selected to embody the biennial, explores the illusionistic possibilities of the material, creating complex and intriguing works that challenge perceptions.
It is made from hot glass that is repeatedly stretched and bent on the blowpipe before being cut off and shaped by hand using heat-resistant Kevlar gloves. Its secret ingredient is air: as Maria Bang Espersen works the hot glass, air is continuously trapped between each strand of glass and, combined with the optical properties of the glass, allows light to be reflected in multiple directions.
The sculpture poetically evokes shiny metal and draped silk in motion, creating a visual illusion of matter. Although the meandering lines of this glass work suggest movement and suppleness, the material is in fact frozen once the glass has cooled.
Born in Denmark and working in Småland, Sweden, Maria Bang Espersen studied glassblowing between the two countries.
She holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and has a crafts degree from The Royal Danish Academy of Design. From 2017-19 she was a fellow at The Core Program with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in the US.
Her studio is located in the Glass Factory Boda museum.
Maria Bang Espersen develops her own techniques by constantly questioning what she learned as a glassblower, pushing the limits of the material.
Her sculptures are placed in several museum collections, counting the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK), the Corning Museum of Glass (US), and Rakusui-tei Art Museum and Gardens (JP) to mention some.
