The Precious Stonewall
August - September 2010, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
Discover the exhibitionOthoniel visited India from 17 to 23 January 2009 with his glassblower partner Matteo Gonet, to discover glass working techniques in this country. This trip was an opportunity for them to visit different markets of beads jewelry in New Delhi, to meet artists and designers working glass and craftsmen producing it. In Firozabad, the Indian city of glass, they discovered the ancient technique of local artisans, which fascinated them.
Othoniel observed their work on glass, directly on the ground, closer to the matter and ovens. Besides, this melee between the melting glass and the man both suffering under sweltering heat touched him deeply. He was able to share the expertise of these artisans and compare it with other glass techniques he met during his travels: Murano glass, glass of St Just, Hawaii glass, Tacoma glass, etc.
In India, all what was granted to him is shaken up. Quality, cutting and blowing techniques, casting and moulding, even the finishes: everything is different, but just as rich and interesting for the artist. Shapes and colors have inspired as well as many objects made of glass sold on the streets and in the markets (bracelets, lamps, furniture, vases ...).
As soon as he got back, Othoniel created the Precious stonewall, a gigantic wall made of hundreds amber glass bricks, molded in Firozabad. He then hung pearl necklaces on it, as offerings, carved by Indian techniques. This work is a tribute to the piles of bricks that line up the Indian roads adorned with hundreds of necklaces, each stone is hand cut as a gem. This monumental work is also a poetic tribute to the iconic Stonewall Inn in New York, where the gay rights movement was born.