Just visited the Corning Museum of Glass and noticed something about their demos

Everyone raves about the hot shop shows, but I think they focus way too much on speed and big pieces for the crowd. I watched a gaffer there make a goblet in under 5 minutes, but the punty attachment looked rushed and left a huge scar. Do you think public demos sacrifice good technique for entertainment?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.diana2mo ago

Ever notice how rushed demos always leave those ugly marks?

iris_green841mo ago

God the marks bother me so much lmao. I remember watching one of those sped-up pottery demos and the guy literally left gouges all over the vase because he was trying to finish in 10 minutes. Looked like a toddler got ahold of it with a fork. My own attempts at throwing clay end up looking way worse though, so maybe I shouldn't judge. At least their rushed stuff still holds water, mine just crumbles into a sad little pile of mud.

cole_bailey852mo ago

Does the museum ever explain why they prioritize speed over craftsmanship in those demos?