Every day for the past two weeks, in spite of the wet and chilly weather most of us would rather look at from indoors, glass artist Martin Blank and his team of assistants have been hard at work out in the elements installing a dramatic new permanent glass art sculpture in the main plaza reflecting pool at Museum of Glass (MOG).

The work started March 30 with the team installing eight tons of stainless steel framework and armatures that will hold the glass. This week provided at least two clear, sunny days for the workers to assemble more of the delicate puzzle, and seeing the glass pieces sparkle in the sunlight gave just a hint of how magnificent the installation will be once it’s completed.

Titled “Fluent Steps,” the sculpture represents Blank’s interpretation of water in its various forms. “Fluent Steps” will span the entire length of the 210-foot long pool and consist of several islands of glass sculpture that stand alone as individual works of art, and when viewed as a whole the effect will draw viewers into what Blank describes as “a visual dialog that will engage the viewer’s eye.”  

“Water can be placid, sublime, and in an instant a tremendous surge of raw power,” as Blank wrote in his artist’s statement about “Fluent Steps.” “This installation is a visual exploration capturing the chase between the macro and micro qualities of water using glass as a conduit to translate my thoughts.”

Blank said he hopes to awaken the viewer’s eye to keenly observe, interact and respond to the emotive nature of water, nature’s most mysterious vehicle for capturing light, motion, fluidity and transparency.

“Fluent Steps” has been a huge undertaking from the start. Under Blank’s direction, the project utilized the talents of 41 artists, engineers and architects. It took a team of glass artists 45 days in the museum’s hot shop to transform 71,000 pounds of molten glass into the 754 individually hand-sculpted pieces that make up “Fluent Steps.” The final sculpture will be 207 feet in length, and individual pieces will rise from between six inches to 15 feet in height from the water.

“Fluent Steps” is made up of five parts as described by Blank: “Transition Between Planes” is an expansive 60-foot swell that will bisect the open body of the pool, forming a uniquely sculpted space between the surface of the water and the fluid glass components suspended above it. “Transitions” will taper into “Wisps,” a field of hundreds of small glass forms breaching the surface like rising mist. An open plane of resting water will separate “Transitions” from “The Cascades,” a massive arch of glass that will envelope the viewer in the mist and surge of falling water. Lastly, “Echo,” a vibrant and colorful grouping, will languidly flow across the surface of the pool, creating an intimate dance of color, texture and reflective light.

Completing the installation will take about three weeks altogether, with April 18 slated as the opening date. An unveiling gala celebration for the public and MOG members is scheduled for the evening of May 15. Tickets are free for MOG members, and $15 for non-members. For more information, visit www.museumofglass.org.