FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Contact: Danielle Grant (danielle@micaela.com)415.551.8118Mica�la Gallery49 Geary Street, No. 234San Francisco, CA 94108 USA
9 June 2009
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Opening 30 June | Reception 2 July | Exhibition through 29 August
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - 9 June 2009 - (for immediate release) Mica�la Gallery is pleased to present "COLD+HOT 2009," the gallery's annual group exhibition of glass sculpture. This year's presentation features artworks by a large group of accomplished sculptors, and two painters: Peter Bremers, Eric Franklin,
Grant Garmezy, Phillip Hua, Michelle Knox, Weston Lambert, John Lewis,
Susan Longini, Greg Nangle, Nancy Otto, Lorraine Peltz, Stig Persson,
Chantal Royant, Thomas Scoon, Carmen Spera, Jennifer Umphress,
Kristiina Uslar, Dana Zed, Sasha Zhitneva, it's another big show of
excellent glass sculpture!
Opening Tuesday, 30 June, the reception welcoming the artists will be hosted Thursday, 2 July, from 5 to 7.30 pm.
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STATEMENT:
 A critic at a prior exhibition of Mica�la Gallery's COLD+HOT group show of glass sculpture commented on the 'absence' of unity for the range of artworks presented, which surprised the gallery director, Mica�la Van Zwoll, as she believes the elements that fuse the gallery's glass sculpture exhibitions are the obvious relationships of material (glass) and visual imagery presented by each artist's creative vernacular. For example, for this year's COLD+HOT, John Lewis' bench, made almost entirely of cast glass, begs the dangerous fragility of the material, yet it's a substantial piece of light catching sculpture...or is it a piece of furniture? Likewise, the compelling planes of Peter Bremers' lead glass (a.k.a., crystal) are tantalizingly touchable forms that become the beautifully sculpted vessels for continuous, naturally changing interior optics trapped within the planes of his work; all the while channeling past travels to the Antarctic continent. Thomas Scoon's "Companions" reference unwavering, impassive stone against the fragility of human companionship by juxtaposing aged found granite with cast glass, creating seemingly stalwart human figures.
Asking the viewer to find these links during an exhibition may be difficult, since an initial obstacle to overcome is the presence of such surprising work executed in various forms of glittering glass. Once the viewer accepts the glass forms and develops an affinity for the artist's vernacular, whether referencing social commentary or used as a light-captivating vessel, the dialogue between viewer and artist can truly begin. And then, the clich�d question, whether the artwork is fine art or craft (because glass as a sculptural medium is still considered a novelty, and by some, merely a craft) becomes part of the discussion, compelling us to view the concept and process of creation, as well as the sophisticated levels of intellectual and practical skill required in the making of these works.
 Mica�la Gallery's underlying idea continues to be the exhibition of the
best available contemporary glass sculpture. This year's presentation of COLD+HOT introduces new works by Mica�la Gallery artists from our San Francisco Bay Area backyards and beyond in a wide range of beautiful and fragile forms, skillfully crafted from glass, all presenting ideas for the active viewer to ponder. Lastly, and in keeping with past traditions, Mica�la Gallery presents the work of two painters, Phillip Hua and Lorraine Peltz, whose work, while having nothing to do with glass, demonstrate shared interests in illumination and the desire to convey a kind of transcendence. The exhibition, in its entirety, is carefully curated for well-developed concepts presented by each artist, superior execution of process, and visual pleasure.
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About Us:
Mica�la Gallery is located at 49 Geary Street, No. 234, San Francisco, CA. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10.30 to 5.30 pm, and by appointment. The closest BART|MUNI stop is the Montgomery Station. Public parking is available at the Sutter/Stockton Garage and the Union Square Garage.
Image credits: John Lewis (top), Phillip Hua (bottom). All images are courtesy of the artists and Mica�la Gallery, and protected by all copyright/trademark laws everywhere. �1997-2009 mica�la and mica�la gallery are copyright/trademarks of mica�la gallery llc and protected by all copyright and trademark laws everywhere
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