Glass Bonding Technology

Artist Tina Jacobs from Bremen talks about her experience with using adhesives in her artistic glasswork. She studied object design at the Dortmund University of Applied Science and Arts, where she majored in glass. She creates large windows, lamps and free-standing objects. Sandblasting and leading are techniques she often employs, but she’s always open to new methods. Recently, she took part in an event at the Lamberts glassworks and tried out adhesive bonding for the first time.

What are you trying to achieve in your artwork?

As well as my course in design and interest in glass, I also trained as a stage designer and besides spending time in the workshop, I worked in theater for a while. A stage designer has to have a good eye for perspective, and I use this skill to gauge the spatial effects of my glass objects.

I love the transparence of glass – the visible space behind the glass – and I try to utilize this. The interplay of light and glass is another thing that fascinates me: the way glass refracts light and modifies it; what effects light and shade produce on the glass surface.

Recently you were able to try out adhesive bonding techniques. How did you get on?

I made a skylight strip for the Lamberts event. It’s intended for a summer house of fair-faced concrete. But it’s also supposed to be decorative in its own right – that’s important to me. The skylight strip consists of four layers: a glass base, then crackled glass onto which colored glass fragments have been stuck,

followed by arches of opal glass. From a distance, the arches appear three-dimensional. So that the glass fragments didn’t float around on the adhesive, I first bonded them together, put the crackled glass on top and then laminated this to the glass base. When you use adhesive, you need to think about how you’re going to tackle the job before you start.

Bubbles are a problem, but can be pre-emptied by using a vacuum pump. Later I worked with SilGel^®, which is easier to use and bubbles aren’t a problem. But you have to be careful to mask any areas not to be bonded as the gel gets everywhere. All in all, it was exciting to try out and worked very well.

Will you be using adhesive bonding again?

Definitely. It gives me more scope especially in my architectural work. I’m currently making a window with colored squares of glass. I’ve just done a model on a smaller scale.

What are you planning for the future?

I’m toying with making a lamp – again combining opal and crackled glass. I’d like to screen-print a fish design onto the opal glass to create a nice impression of depth. Perspective plays a big role in my work. When I take on a job, I have to follow my client’s wishes, but I always manage to add a personal touch, too. That’s very important to me.