Sol Mesz, the artist behind Sillice

Most of my work revolves around the idea of functionality and the associated concept of interaction. Probably because of my pragmatical nature, I feel that art becomes a much richer and meaningful experience when it offers direct interaction with the viewer, when a dialog can be established between the person and the work. By interacting, the art experience is immediate, and a close and intimate connection can be established.

The interaction with my “functional” pieces is obvious. Since the primary role of the object is to have a function, my focus is on the artistic dimension.

My decorative pieces, on the other hand, are designed with flexibility in mind. They can be rearranged, allowing the user to create different configurations. This is my way of opening a dialog: by making design decisions the viewer feels relevant in the art process, therefore, the resulting piece becomes relevant to them. In this process, meaning is not given to the viewer, but it is the viewer who gives meaning to the piece by rearranging it according to his/her own vision.

Another key aspect of my work is that I focus on making sustainable art: because I make my own colors for glass, I do not need to use industrially colored glass. As a result, the only thing I need is transparent glass, so I consciously chose to work in a sustainable manner, by recycling glass with the help of a local window shop. Occasionally, I would also use wine and beer bottles broken to pieces to make "pate de verre" ("glass paste"), or even broken car windshields.

In this way, I truly (and literally) contribute to make this a more beautiful place to live.

I was trained by renowned Argentine glass and vitraux artist Carlos Herzberg in different glass working techniques, including pâte de verre, vitraux, slumped and fused glass.

The outstanding characteristic about my work is that I practice the ancient art of making glazes and stains for glass, which allows me to achieve a unique palette of textures and colors. This gives my work greater range of expression while underscoring the uniqueness of my pieces.

In addition to this vast glass-related knowledge, I also incorporate techniques from other disciplines, such as pottery, metalsmithing, silversmithing and woodworking.

As a result, no commercially colored glass is used. Pieces are fused, slumped or cast using different techniques, and decorated with hand made colors for glass that I make using a special knowledge of chemistry. I also apply a wide variety of techniques to add texture and color to the pieces. The combination of creativity, technique and materials is what makes each object unique.

In addition, since glass doesn't lose its quality when recycled, I seek to recycle glass to the extent that each design allows. Through this process, I turn plain transparent sheets of glass into unique pieces of decorative and functional art, contemporary in style, which are also environmentally friendly.

Upcoming solo show, selected by Gerd Koch , at Buenaventura Art Association, May 2006.

“The Photograph of Art”, Ventura Artists’ Union Gallery, Ventura, CA. July 2005

“Artisans Market”, Long Beach Museum of Art. August 14, 2005

Seascapes, Ventura Harbor Village. Ventura, CA. July 2005

Annual Juried Members Exhibition, Studio Channels Islands Art Center, juried by Lawrence Gipe and Wayne Healy, Ventura, CA. Nov-Dec 2004

Open annual Exhibition, Buenaventura Arts Association. Curated by Gerald Brommer, Ventura, CA. Oct-Nov 2004

Thousand Oaks Arts Festival. Fred Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks, CA. Aug-Sep 2004

Membership Show, Buenaventura Arts Association. Merit Award . Ventura, CA. Aug-Sep 2004

Sea and Goddess, Ventura Artists’ Union. Ventura, CA. Jul-Sep 2004

Ventura County Government Center Juried Exhibition. Ventura , CA. Jun-Aug 2004

Membership Show, Buenaventura Arts Association. Merit Award . Ventura, CA. May-Jun 2004

Wearable Art Show. Ventura , CA. May 15 2004

Westlake Village Art Guild Annual Juried Art Show. Thousand Oaks , CA. April 8-30 2004

Thousand Oaks Annual Juried Art and Photography Show, Platinum Perspectives. Thousand Oaks , CA. Oct 10-27 2002

“What is Art and Why We Make It”, Ventura Artists’ Union Gallery, Ventura, CA. May 2005

“Pure woman”, California St. Gallery, Ventura, CA. April-May 2005

“Glass Now 2005”, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia. October 2005

“Surfaces, a mixed media exhibition” Seven Artists curated by Eileen Anderson. Southern California Artists Project Gallery. Feb- Mar 2005

“Eye of the Artist II”, Ventura County Government Center, Ventura, CA. Mar-Apr 2005

“Merit Award Show”, Buenaventura Art Association, Ventura, CA. Jan-Feb 2005

“Glass works” , Grand Central Art Center (part of CSU Fullerton), Santa Ana, CA. Dec 2004-Jan 2005

“Four artists for the Coves”, Render Gallery. Ventura, CA. October-November 2004

“Glass Now 2004”, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia. October 2004

Carlos Gardel Cultural Center. Exhibition for the opening of the Cultural Center, Buenos Aires , Argentina . September 2001

Alliance Française, Buenos Aires , Argentina . Apr-May 2001

Plaza Park Festival, Ventura, CA. July 2005.

"Mostly Cerulean", Southern CA Artists Annual Members Show, Guggenheim Gallery at Chapman University, Orange, CA. June 2005

"Conduit", Render Gallery. Ventura, CA. July-August 2004

"Eye of the Artist" Ventura College , CA. June-July 2004

Ventura Spring ArtWalk 2004, Ventura , CA. April 24 2004

Ventura Harvest Artwalk 2003, Ventura , CA. November 8 2003

Ventura Summer Art Walk 2003, Ventura , CA. August 16 2003

Ventura County Star: featured artist for the second Thousand Oaks Arts Festival 2005.

Art Life Magazine. Selected artist for the November 2004 issue. Art Life is a limited edition magazine collected by the NY Public Library, Getty, Yale University, among others.

Art Life Magazine: Selected artist for the 24th Anniversary issue, December 2004. Art Life is a limited edition magazine collected by the NY Public Library, Getty, Yale University, among others.

Crafters Coast to Coast featured artist: Crafters Coast to Coast is a TV program that airs nationwide on HGTV cable channel. Initial airing of the show was November 2004, and has been re-played subsequently.

• Glass Art Society
• BuenaVentura Arts Association
• American Craft Council
• Ventura Artists' Union
• Studio Channel Islands Art Center
• Southern California Artists