The Forrest Through the Trees
borosilicate glass, wood, stain, glue
13 x 11 1/4 x 1 1/2"
2008
Abacus
borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, wood, stain, glue, metal rods
14 x 14 x 3/4"
2008
Barrel of Monkeys, a Pawn, and Moustaches
soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass
moustaches are 2 1/4 x 1/2 x 1/4", pawn is 1 1/8 x 5/8 diameter, monkeys are 1 x 1 1/4 x 1/4"
Moustache Monocle Set
borosilicate glass, sterling silver rolo chains
longest moustache measures 3 3/4", each on 20" chains
2008
Nature Waits: Clearcuts and View
8 x 5 x 2"
sand-cast glass panel
2008
Thistle Plant and Pendant
plant stands 5 x 2 1/2 x 2", pendant is 1 1/4 x 3/4 x 1/4"
soda-lime glass
2007
Waahila Ridge Souvenir
soda-lime glass
4 x 2 1/4 x 1/4"
2007
Roots and Roads
Uroboros and Spruce Pine Batch glass
5 x 7 x 1 1/2"
2007
Artist's Statement
The development of my own body of work in glass has been at a measured pace, but there are two tendencies that are quickly emerging: the natural and the playful. Hikes in the mountains and walks along the coast are filled with discovery and tinged with memory. The tiny souvenirs I pick up along the way call out to me for re-creation and the undervalued constant presence of nature demands to be interpreted, as our precious undeveloped spaces are diminished and harvested for resources. In 'The Forrest Through The Trees,' I am finally able to communicate with viewers through glass about the human grid and compartmentalization of nature, while the roots keep reaching down. Grasping air. Framed by lumber I carried home on my bicycle and cut with a hand saw. The connectedness of materials and efforts toward sustainability in a completely unsustainable world.
And just so I don't cry myself to sleep every night, I find myself reaching towards the whimsical, through mathematics and science. The toy, a 'Barrel of Monkeys,' is often used by scientists to explain DNA patterns. My father and brother dueling on a chessboard, and my first memories of math understood through the simple workings of an abacus. 'Abacus' consists of 100 beads I created, a few of which were my very first independent glass experiments. I have learned so much along the way and wanted to pay my respects to the beginning of things. And also to the value of art objects that can make people laugh, crack a smile. We've all walked through the city before, seen the gray sky and felt our step grow as heavy as our hearts.
The simple beauty of a toy. The simple beauty of a tree. And now another exciting simplicity emerges: learning. The idea of learning while teaching, the idea of being a beginner at understanding the complex nature of glass, even after years and years of working with this medium.
And a cast glass panel that gave me hope. The aerial view, 'Roots and Roads,' the broken flowers. Tiny, carefully lampworked buildings trapped in a rush of hot glass, decay. Organics from the frit floating up right after the team poured the glass, distorting and pulling color up. And me in pain, could barely catch my breath, because a moment passed where I reached such a goal. I made something that mattered. Out of glass, a material too often used for production, not enough for art. I will forever be grateful to Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, and now Punahou School, for offering me bits of time for hard work and huge discovery.
The most disappointing things that happen seem to be arrows, pointing me in the right direction. Change guides me. And learning about glass, even struggling with it, seems to cancel out the last of my doubts.
****Please note, most of these works are part of the artist's collection. Variations or specific works may be available. Please contact the artist at (808) 781-4043 or jesslandau@gmail.com for pricing / availability.
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works still available upon special request!
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to view works from the Winter 2008 Collection,
now available for immediate purchase
