Urushi & Glass

In his most recent works, Hillebrand links the high art of glassblowing with another highly demanding handicraft – Urushi. Similar to his Scholar Rocks, he again uses water-filled glass domes and places them on bases lacquered in black or red. The purist design of the sculptures radiates an incredible concentration and clarity. The transparent water-filled domes contrast strongly with the opaquely sealed, lacquered bases. Yet both elements are similarly receptive to the appealing interplay of light, color, and surface. They seem to free themselves from their solid bodies and to come together as an entity on a sensuous level.