Vesele, Anna (2010) Baltic Glass The development of new creative models based on historical and contemporary contextualization. Doctoral thesis, University of Sunderland. Downloaded from: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/3659/ Usage guidelines Please refer to the usage guidelines at http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/policies.html or alternatively contact
[email protected]. Baltic Glass The development of new creative models based on historical and contemporary contextualization Anna Vesele A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Sunderland for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, University of Sunderland April 2010 1 Abstract The aim of this research was to demonstrate the creative potential of a particular type of coloured flat glass. This glass is produced in Russia and is known as Russian glass. The present researcher has refined methods used by Baltic glass artists to create three- dimensional artworks. The examination of the development of glass techniques in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was necessary in order to identify these methods and to contextualize the researcher’s personal practice. This study describes for the first time the development of glass art techniques in the Baltic States from the 1950s to the present day. A multi-method approach was used to address research issues from the perspective of the glass practitioner. The methods consisted of the development of sketches, models and glass artworks using existing and unique assembling methods. The artworks underlined the creative potential of flat material and gave rise to a reduction in costs. In conjunction with these methods, the case studies focused on the identification of similarities among Baltic glass practices and similarities of approach to using various glass techniques.