Rare cold glass artist shines on world's stage

(27 Jun 2015) LEAD IN:
A Californian artist is in hot demand as he transforms ordinary pieces of glass into sparkling, designer works of art.
His unique cold sculpting technique produces stunning results, drawing attention from buyers and collectors worldwide.
STORY-LINE:
Cold glass sculpting is a rare form of art, with just a handful of people mastering the delicate trade.
One of them is California artist, Jack Storms who says he can't keep up with the demand for his work.
He cuts up glass to make one-of-a-kind stunning pieces that sparkle like diamonds and captivate the eye.
Storms opened his studio, StormWorks in Valenica, California in 2002.
His pieces sell for between $5,000 to $50,000 USD.
His sculptures have been commissioned by world figures and celebrities and to also commemorate notable occasions.
So what makes Storms' work different from other artists who work with glass?
Most glass sculptors manipulate glass when it is hot, but Storms only works with it when it is cold - using muscle power and specially designed machines to shape it.
His works combine lead crystal, shipped in raw from Germany, with dichroic glass.
He fashions the glass into shapes that have intricate detail.
"What makes my work different and rare is that it's shaped cold so there is no heat involved whatsoever. It's a grinding process and a flattening process, a smoothing process so I go through those steps before I can polish and once I polish I can then laminate the pieces together that are polished and create larger more complex structures on the inside and from there I build my way around it," says Storms.
He says each artwork takes between eight and 24 weeks to be finished, adding that the process is extremely complicated and physically challenging.
He is known for using mathematical theory, namely the theory of Fibonacci, to cultivate his pieces.
Incorporating the natural sequence of repeating mathematical patterns, Storms infuses his designs with brilliant, geometric colours.
"For me what the Fibonacci (sequence) does is the Fibonacci creates a bridge between the collector who is used to looking at nature and things that are built form the inspiration of nature and my artwork which, without the Fibonacci, seems a little bit technical and a little bit distant so what I try to do is, I try to use that ratio, that natural mathematics, to give it a sense that it is created and not manufactured" says Storms.
The entire process works like this:
It begins with the finest 32% optical lead crystal, and dichroic glass, which is hand cut, polished and laminated - creating reflective mirrors.
The drawn out process involves repetitive cutting, grinding and polishing.
It is then wrapped in optical glass, allowing the refraction of light to pass through.
The result? Art pieces that glow like diamonds and never look the same twice.
Last year, his work was seen in the film, Guardians of the Galaxy.
Storms was also commissioned to create a baseball bat in honour of baseball great Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit.
"I created a 3000 hit baseball bat that was commissioned by his charity "The Turn To Foundation" and it was really a spectacular piece" says Storms.
Elaine Adams, Executive Director and CEO of the California Art Club says the work stands out on the world stage.
Adams also believes California is filled with truly inspired creative artists.
"We have some of the most imaginative people here. They just inspire all of us. In fact I think that if we were smart we would think of these artists as a form of energy. Take them, harness them and use them in multiple and positive ways," she says.

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