1998 U.S. International Film & Video Festival. Biomorphic glass forms floating down a Finnish river, transparent green and amethyst spears leaning against ancient Irish dolmens, exotic iridescent blossoms blooming in a Mexican factory, and an extravaganza of faceted crystal reaching upward in the Doges Palace in Venice are all part of the Chihuly Over Venice project chronicled in River of Glass. The 90-minute video begins with the first blowing session in Nuutajärvi, Finland, and follows Dale Chihuly and his team to Waterford, Ireland; Monterrey, Mexico; and finally to Venice. River of Glass captures the excitement of the blowing sessions where thousands of individual pieces were blown by Chihuly's American team working with glass factory craftsmen. The beauty of the glass works installed in each venue is sensitively and evocatively documented by Michael Barnard as director, chief photographer, and editor. Through interviews with the artist and many of those involved with this project, River of Glass reveals Chihuly's creative process as he draws, directs, and demands the best of his team in order to pay homage to the place where it all began for the glass artist: Venice. Produced by Michael Barnard and Portland Press, 1999 Portland Press. All rights reserved. Length: 90 minutes (30 minute version) Updated version now available on DVD including new special features.
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