The Art of the Glass Pipe

Degenerate Art: The Art and Culture of Glass Pipe' boldly showcases the work of 16 glass artists from throughout the United States, exhibiting pieces that fall outside the boundaries of conventional art. This exhibition provides a snapshot into the history of glass pipes and shows the direct influence the pipe movement has had on the evolution of lampworking.

I attended this show at the Mark Woolley Gallery in Portland Oregon. I was very impressed with the skill level of all of the artists involved. It was great that someone had the forethought to schedule this show during the world glass conference. This made for a broad spectrum of viewer that attended the show. There were many artists of all levels as well as a number of different collectors. The approach to the pipe was different from artist to artist but there was one common denominator, all pieces were inspired by marijuana. Lets remember that this was a show that highlighted the modern flameworker. To be exact the show was actually detailing a certain "breed" of modern flameworker. I like to call it a switchback revolution. Dont get me wrong, I very much respect the modern flame workers. They have developed the industry of lampwork or flameworking and taken it far past where it was only fifteen years ago. There was a lack of the actual facts on the evolution of the glass pipes particularly the modern "color changing glass".
The show at the gallery was full of great works of art and I was also impressed with the real fuck authority attitude that prevailed. I asked the woman who was selling the work if she knew that she was breaking the law. She smiled awkwardly and said that she had no idea. I told her that I had been arrested here in the same state for selling some pipes and bongs that were very similar to the ones that were here in the gallery. Mark Woolley and his sponsors really went out on a limb here. I can only imagine who would be subpoenaed as the witnesses in this trial ? This really opens the doors for the industry. If there were more professionals who accepted the pipe or bong not only as an item, but as art, the industry could thrive. Not only does this power the paraphernalia industry but it moves the evolution of the technique forward.
http://www.markwoolley.com/Artist-Detail.cfm?ArtistsID=454&ThePage=1