In this series of work, which began in 2017 and is ongoing through 2019, Camille is investigating how to generate complex layered surfaces where light from a projection or monitor screen is diffused, modulated or obscured by custom kiln formed glass to create a rich spatial depth and physical-digital color combinations within these “screens”.
Camille used an artist residency at Bullseye Glass Resource Center in Emeryville, California in 2017 to various kiln forming glass techniques needed to realize this project. Techniques include powder painting, powder printing, kiln fusing and casting. She also learned various cold-working techniques to finish and polish the glass, and tested the optical properties of different finishes when combined with light from LCD and LED monitors.
For each of the completed glass block pieces from the residency, Camille created three uniquely patterned layers of glass, which were then fused with interleaved layers of clear glass to form ¾” thick blocks. Each patterned layer exists at a slightly different depth within the block. These layers are also scanned individually before they are fused together into the block, so visual elements in each layer of glass can be used separately in generative animations. Camille programs generative animations for each piece of glass, which are shown on a monitor screen held slightly behind the glass with a custom frame.
The video shows a prototype of one of the glass bocks combined with a dynamically generated test animation using a scan of one element in the glass. The depth elements of these works are difficult to convey in a 2D video, but note how the colors in the work shift as the background color of the screen changes. An opaque white area in the glass will appear “dark” when the screen behind it is illuminated white, and “light” when the screen behind it is dark. A transparent yellow area of glass will appear extra saturated when the screen behind it is also yellow, or reveal new colors when passing behind other opaque areas of glass. These physical-digital “screens” create many optical properties not possible on a simple two-dimensional digital screen.
Process images from Camille’s Bullseye residency, including her experiments with a wide range of techniques, and some completed kiln formed blocks are depicted in the image gallery at right.
Camille is working to develop and refine animations and framing structures for the larger finished glass blocks, and plans to complete a series of new wall mounted works based on these experiments.
