Dylan Martinez

DYLAN MARTINEZ

Dylan Martinez is an American contemporary glass artist, born in 1985 in Wisconsin, living and working in Washington State, USA. He is represented by galleries in Taiwan, Switzerland, Los Angeles and Paris.

Martinez’s crystal clear glass sculptures are inspired by perceptions of reality. The artist is red-green colorblind, therefore his work is driven by a curiosity of perception. Alternative ways of seeing and illusory methods permeate his glass collections. Inspired by Trompe L’œil, H2O/SiO2 is hot sculpted glass hand molded entirely by the artist. The trapped movement of the rising bubbles and the gesture of the forms convince the eye that the sculptures are just as they appear: bags of water.

In regards to his work, the artist states: “Our vision has the greatest effect on our understanding of the world. Through my artwork, I create scenarios in which the viewer must question their capacity to navigate between reality and illusion.”

Recently Martinez has completed a one month residency in Murano, Italy, a region famous for high quality artisan glass. Martinez’s sculptures are sought after internationally with exhibitions in America, Italy, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Taiwan. His work has been included in several notable publications, including Interior Design Magazine, American Craft Magazine, and Aesthetica Magazine.

“What is fascinating is that our desires often override our true perception of reality and you believe what you think is visible as the truth”

The artist’s choice to utilize hyper-realistic glass sculptures of plastic bags filled with water serves as a powerful metaphor within the broader context of environmental art.

In this context, the plastic bags symbolize human consumption, waste, and the detrimental impact of single- use plastics on our planet. Their transparency not only alludes to the fragility of our ecosystems but also underscores the transparency of the climate crisis itself, which is often in plain sight but ignored. The use of glass adds an element of fragility and impermanence, reminding us of the urgency to address these issues.

The artist invites viewers to contemplate the stark contrast between our unsustainable practices and the dire consequences for the environment. Several deeper connections that can be drawn between the glass sculptures and climate change in the context of the artwork:

Transparency and Awareness: Glass, as a material, is transparent and provides visibility. This transparency mirrors the need for greater transparency in understanding and addressing climate change. It emphasizes the importance of awareness and seeing through the issues, just as the sculptures allow us to see through the plastic bags to the water within.

Fragility of Ecosystems: Glass is a delicate and fragile material, much like the ecosystems impacted by climate change. The fragility of the glass sculptures can symbolize the vulnerability of our environment and how it can shatter or break under the pressure of climate-related challenges.

Resilience and Adaptation: Despite being fragile, glass can also be resilient when properly crafted. This resilience represents humanity’s capacity to adapt and respond to the challenges of climate change, highlighting our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment.

Transformation: Glass is created through the transformation of raw materials into a new, refined form. Similarly, addressing climate change involves transforming our habits, technologies, and policies to mitigate its effects. The glass sculptures can be seen as a metaphor for the transformation needed in our approach to climate change.

Reflection and Self-Examination: Glass can reflect light and images, symbolizing the need for introspection and self-examination. It encourages viewers to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities in the climate crisis and how their actions may contribute to or mitigate its effects.

Sustainability: The use of glass in the sculptures can also be seen as a sustainable choice compared to plastic. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable materials and practices in the fight against climate change.

By employing glass as the primary medium for these sculptures, the artwork extends its symbolism beyond the plastic bags and water within, creating a rich tapestry of connections to climate change, our environment, and our role in shaping the future.

ARTWORKS

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