Glass Blocks: a Meditation on Looking and Place

Author: Bassie Chin

Field of Study: Art History; Geography

Faculty Mentors: Kevin Heard, Francis Chang

Easel: 5

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: The use of glass blocks in American architecture expanded drastically in the mid 1900s, with the rise of the streamline modern style in the 30s and midcentury modern style in the 60s. Parallel to this, glass blocks can be seen everywhere in the tri-cites area, which experienced surges in development in the early and mid 1900s. To document the scale and evocations of glass blocks, both data driven and artistic representations were used. First was an attempt to map the location and use case of as many glass blocks as possible, which were added to a public and interactive WebGIS storymap. Using image transfers and illustrations of images of glass blocks made as part of the data collection, a drawing was created commenting on how the task of close looking (ironically, at an object which deliberately obfuscates) can completely change the way an observer sees the city around them.