The Conversationalist

Object NameWindow

Artist Paul Marioni (American, b. 1941)

Made FromLead Glass, Lead Came, sheet glass, wood, wire

Date1974

Place MadeUnited States, WA, Seattle

TechniqueKiln-formed, cut, enameled, assembled, sandblasted, photo-silkscreened

SizeOverall H: 70.7 cm, W: 71.8 cm

Accession Number74.4.183

Curatorial Area(s)

Postwar and Contemporary

Exhibitions

Thirty Years of New Glass, 1957-1987

On ViewBen W. Heineman Sr. Family Gallery of Contemporary Glass.

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

In this work, the artist shows us an empty room in which we imagine that some sort of action has occurred or will occur. A table with a pair of eyeglasses is placed opposite a window through which we see blue sky. One square of sky has slid out of its window frame, exposing the artifice of this environment that we may have perceived as genuine. This image is about questioning, or seeing beyond, the realities that are presented to us.

Physical DescriptionTranslucent blue and white streaky opalescent glasses, transparent brown glass and colorless sheet glass; kiln-formed, cut, enameled; assembled by lead came, sandblasted, photo silk screened, fired enamels, with wooden frame; found eyeglasses. Window depicts a room interior with photo silk screened table cloth and sandblasted wooden grain glass walls; small nine-section window with middle pane in bottom row sliding out of frame; pair of wire rim glasses attached to tablecloth in lower right corner.
Provenance

Source Paul Marioni (American, b. 1941) - 1974-12-13