IGS V, Series 1994-98 #4 by Marvin B. Lipofsky

Abstract

In recognition of the important part that art has had in the Mayo Clinic environment since the original Mayo Building was finished in 1914, Mayo Clinic Proceedings will feature some of the numerous works of art displayed throughout the buildings and grounds on the Mayo Clinic campuses. In recognition of the important part that art has had in the Mayo Clinic environment since the original Mayo Building was finished in 1914, Mayo Clinic Proceedings will feature some of the numerous works of art displayed throughout the buildings and grounds on the Mayo Clinic campuses. Marvin B. Lipofsky was born in Barrington, Illinois, on September 1, 1938. He obtained a BFA from the University of Illinois in Urbana in 1962, studying industrial design, and an MFA from the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1964, in sculpture. He was a student, and later a great proponent, of the studio glass movement, which he was noted to have introduced to the design school at the University of California in Berkley, where he was an instructor. He also founded his own art society called GAS, or Glass Art Society. In the 1950s he traveled to Czechoslovakia to learn from their glass studio movement.1Marvin Lipofsky. Wikipedia website. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Lipofsky. Accessed May 12, 2014.Google Scholar His first introduction to glass, however, was made when studying under Harvey Littleton in Wisconsin.2Corning Museum of Glass Meet the Artist: Marvin Lipofsky. http://www.cmog.org/transcript/meet-artist-marvin-lipofsky. Accessed May 12, 2014.Google Scholar Lipofsky notes that it was somewhat serendipity that led to his adherence to glass as a medium,2Corning Museum of Glass Meet the Artist: Marvin Lipofsky. http://www.cmog.org/transcript/meet-artist-marvin-lipofsky. Accessed May 12, 2014.Google Scholar and in hindsight, his educational progression was in reality much better than if it had been planned. Because he was unable to study sculpture, he majored in design in his undergraduate studies. He was later introduced to clay, which interested him greatly and was also the door to his study of glass.2Corning Museum of Glass Meet the Artist: Marvin Lipofsky. http://www.cmog.org/transcript/meet-artist-marvin-lipofsky. Accessed May 12, 2014.Google Scholar It seems that without the basis of design and the education of clay, he would not have achieved the insights and foundation to discover the savanna of the world of glass.3Marvin Lipofsky, Glass Pioneer, Making sculpture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJIR8q8vTec. Accessed May 12, 2014.Google Scholar IGS V, Series 1994-98 #4, a 9 X 20 X 14-inch blown glass vessel, is reminiscent of many things in nature and life. The colors capture the nacre of exotic marine bivalves, iridescent bubbles blown for a child’s entertainment, billowing cumulonimbus clouds, irises opening to the morning sun, or they even remotely mirror fine china on a Sunday dinner table, albeit with an unusual shape. Lipofsky clearly allows the nature of blowing to direct the organic form and structure of IGS V, Series 1994-98 #4, with minimal intervention into the final outcome from the blowing process. This lends reality to the abstract and reflects the foundation of his education. IGS V, Series 1994-98 #4 is located on the 5th floor of the Gonda Building in Rochester, Minnesota.