Artist Simon Berger breaks glass to create harmony and beauty out of chaos
What modern artists do not use to convey their ideas and images to the viewer. No one is surprised by portraits made of dust or abstract compositions made of toilet paper, but what the Swiss artist and sculptor Simon Berger does amazes even the most experienced art lovers. Of course, because Berger creates his masterpieces by breaking glass.
To get portraits of people or images of various objects, Berger hits the glass with special tools, creating a network of cracks and chips. This is a very delicate work, since it is necessary to correctly calculate not only the place of impact, but also the force and angle of its application.
The glass that the artist uses is also special. It is strong enough not to shatter on impact, but at the same time it cracks well under the blows of the master's tools. Sometimes Berger creates three-dimensional paintings by combining several processed glasses into one composition.
Simon Berger begins his work with a photograph of a person or an object that he is going to recreate on glass. Then he transfers the image to the glass with a felt-tip pen and accurately marks the places where the blows were struck. This is an important stage of the work, since the material used by the Swiss does not forgive mistakes.
When everything is ready, Simon picks up a hammer and a set of metal chisels and begins to gently strike the surface of his "canvas". Berger's skill is amazing and, looking at his paintings, it's hard to believe that he started doing art quite recently. The artist, thanks to his unusual technique, was quickly noticed and now he has many customers.
Most often, owners of shops and restaurants who want to decorate their windows with the work of a master turn to Berger. Among the artist's regular customers is the BVLGARI brand, several boutiques of which have already acquired Simon's masterpieces. They also order portraits of people from him, most often as an exquisite and unusual gift.
Looking at Berger's works, it is difficult to imagine that they were created by ordinary blows on glass. But the artist believes that he still has a lot to grow and that his paintings are still far from ideal. He is constantly improving and trying new types of glass, tools and techniques of striking.
Simon Berger wants to show his work to the whole world, but he is not driven by vanity or a thirst for money. The master considers himself the founder of a new direction in art and dreams of creating a special school, whose artists will be able to continue his work and will not let him wither even after decades.
Keywords: Art | Glass | Paintings | Switzerland | Exhibition | Creativity