Find Art All Around Orange County Florida
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University of Central Florida
About the Artwork
This 400 pound high optic glass is the type used to pull into strands for fiber optic cables. It has been cut into this sculpture. “Light is central to my creative inspiration. We are living in the age of photonics where heretofore, theoretical knowledge of electromagnetic radiation, is now being transformed into practical life changing applications. My work is an artistic symbol of this time.” The sculpture “Sail” was wire sawn from a 2000 pound block of the world’s finest crystal. It was ground into shape and polished to an optical resolution, which allows dramatic internal reflections to create abstract compositions.
About the Artist
Christopher Ries
Artist and glass sculptor Christopher Ries grew up on a farm in central Ohio. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Fine Art at the Ohio State University in 1975. He received his Masters of Fine Art from The University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1978. During his time in Madison Ries was research assistant to the Founder of the American Studio Glass Movement, Harvey K. Littleton.
Ries founded the glass department at The Ohio State University and was its first instructor as an undergraduate student. He also ran a glass blowing studio for two summers at Mineral Point, Wisconsin while in graduate school. Mr. Ries opened a studio at 70 N. Monroe Avenue in Columbus, Ohio after graduate school and developed his cold working skills and understanding of optics.
It was in 1979 that Ries made an effort to find the ultimate glass sculpting material. His search led him to Schott Optical in Duryea, Pennsylvania. (To learn more about Schott click here) Ries experimented with many glass types produced at Schott over the next few years in his Columbus, Ohio studio. In 1986 Ries had earned the respect of Schott’s President, Dr. Franz Herkt, and was offered studio space at the Pennsylvania factory. Mr. Ries has been a non paid, independent contractor there ever since, with the title “Artist-in-Residence.”
Christopher Ries has produced the largest whole, unassembled pieces of crystal sculpture known. His work is in many museums and fine art collections around the world.
Did you know?
The tired traveler sitting on the floor of the Orlando airport was actually a bronze statue by Duane Hanson. It was so loved (and abused) that he has now been placed behind plexiglass. Still travelers often argue about whether he is "real".
Discover Art in Central Florida!
For those who have eyes to see, there are hundreds of works of art around them.
This web site provides some information on many of those works of art that can
be regularly viewed in Orange County by any member of the public without an
admission fee. They are outside in public view, or located in an interior area
that is normally open to the public.
Look around this web site and find something that interests you. Then go see it
in person. The information you find here will add to the pleasure of exploring
public art in Central Florida.
If, in your travels around Orange County, you come across some public art that
is not listed here, please let us know so we can add it. If you are aware of
additional information about art or artist that is included here, again, please
let us know. Together we can make this an incredible resource for people seeking
to spice up their life through exploring art.