The Glass Sculptures of Jed Malitz
Figurative LIGHT In Architectural glass
These glass sculptures started with the artist's dream of ethereal human forms comprised of floating ribbons.
His goals are to evoke moments contemplation and wonder, to surprise and engage, and to move people spiritually or emotionally through his artworks.
Human figures are defined by the edges of interior holes in glass panels. The subject's soul is revealed through redirected light appearing along the straight outer edges of the panels.
The artist relies on the structure, transparency, translucency, and refraction of glass for the primary figurative aspects. Secondary features like halos and rays of light, are the result of diffusion, diffraction and reflection, and appear to reveal light itself in the process of being projected as well as imparting a sense of motion.
CREATING WINDOWS INTO SOULS
The process begins with storylines written by the artist for various poses.
The live model poses to express the storyline. Each pose is altered and captured several times, using a handheld 3D scanner and 3D capture software.
3D scans are reviewed using various visualizations including X-Ray like rendering, and the most aesthetically pleasing one is selected and refined for the 3D model.
Contours of the model are taken at various intervals; these are augmented with hand drawn curves, fine details, and transitions between adjacent contours. Individual contours may be combined from several, depending on the features represented. This stage results in abstract 3D shapes that subtly resemble slices of the human form. X-Ray like visualization is again used during consideration and refinement of these shapes.
The 3D shapes are altered for machinability and cut out from digital glass panels, resulting in 3D holes. These panels are modeled from every angle, and illuminated by digital lights arranged in different positions. Examining the figurative light refracted by these digital panels, the artist will iteratively adjust the 3D holes until both the 3D hole edges and their refracted light are aesthetically sound.
The stands are designed with specific function, aesthetics and figurative details in mind.
Final fabrication involves cutting the designed 3D shapes from glass panels, leaving behind the edges of 3D holes. Custom crates are built for the transport of delicate components. The artist assembles the components in the Jed Malitz V2 studio under lighting arranged as specified during the modeling process. No actual prototypes are built: digital art and careful design lead directly to the finished sculpture.
Ink on metal Panels by Jed Malitz
Photography Evolved for Ink on Metal
These artworks are based on the artist's original photographs. His preferred approach is to extract austere compositions from images, modifying the results to interact with brushed metal, providing the effects of vastness, clouds, water, shadows, or highlights.
Each of these art panels is the result of inks applied to metal. The finished artworks are greatly affected by different lighting scenarios and the viewing angle.