Norwood Viviano will have his work exhibited at the National Building Museum
Link to original publication: https://www.gvsu.edu/gvnext/2024/vma-faculty-member-earns-smithsonian-award.htm
IMAGE CREDIT - AMANDA PITTS
Apr 29, 2024
Norwood Viviano, associate professor for sculpture and foundations and area coordinator for sculpture, will receive a mid-career artist award from the Smithsonian and have his work exhibited at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
During the Smithsonian Craft Show, May 1-5, Viviano will receive the Smithsonian Women’s Committee’s Delphi Award, which recognizes mid-career artists who demonstrate distinction, creativity and exceptional artistry in their work. The committee noted Viviano's complex sculptures and installations that tell the story of worldwide climate and population changes.
“It is really an incredible opportunity,” said Viviano. “It is a chance to introduce my work to a whole new audience, which can lead to wonderful conversations that open up even more opportunities to build momentum for the work.”
In his projects, Viviano explores how urbanization, industry and immigration shape personal and shared histories. For example, "Recast," is a series of kiln-cast glass sculptures that highlight the manufacturing history in several U.S. cities combined with their current architecture. Modern Detroit is cast on top of the cylinders of a V8 engine block and Pittsburgh is cast on top of a steel I-beam.
“Placing this data-driven information in a three-dimensional format and using traditional craft materials allows the viewer to place themselves in the work and consider it in a totally different way, hopefully initiating further curiosity in the content of the work and engagement with the data,” Viviano said.
To capture the level of data and change over centuries, Norwood said he and student assistants conducted more than 300 hours of research and sketching before any modeling or glass molding began. With some projects requiring an immense amount of detail and accuracy, as much effort as possible earlier can prevent lost time or wasted efforts , Viviano said.
“Working with glass can be very humbling. You can’t waste any time in the hot shop or else you are wasting money and resources. But this material also requires you to be extremely careful and patient, it is constantly teaching you things,” he said.
Viviano earned a bachelor of fine arts degree at Alfred University and a master of fine arts degree at Cranbrook Academy. His work can be found at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Corning Museum of Glass, DeYoung Museum and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
Viviano has received numerous awards and grants, including the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award and the Creative Glass Center of America Fellowship.
“You can’t predict how someone is going to interpret the work. You have a history and that experience will bring a new interaction, a new understanding, that my history wouldn’t,” said Viviano. “It provides a chance to connect with people in a way I would never expect.”
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