By PercyEcholsIIHello Lightning Tamers,
This is episode number 57. And in today’s podcast, recorded July 2023, I’ll be joined by Mark Ditzler. Who has been hospitable in my visit to the Seattle area, after the class I taught at Pilchuck this summer with Harriet Schwarzrock.
Mark Ditzler is a trained industrial designer, ceramic artist, and self-taught fused glass expert based in Seattle. With over 30 years of experience, he crafts kilnformed glass for commissions and galleries, blending clay techniques seamlessly into his work. Mark has taught fusing classes both locally and nationwide, with a notable tenure at Corning Museum of Glass. His expertise spans neon tube bending in the 1980s, pioneering fused plasma projects with James Nowark Studio in the 1990s, and a collaborative residency at Corning focused on plasma with Wayne Strattman (2017). His work has graced prestigious venues like Bellevue Art Museum (2018) and Hong Kong Science Museum (2019). Currently, Mark is innovating in plasma, creating a bespoke “hood ornament” for a Corvette in L.A. and pioneering flat “neon” using cutting-edge kiln-forming techniques and glass cutting technology.
Welcome to the podcast Mark!
SHOW NOTES
2024 Pittsburgh Glass Center | Radiant Horizons
This class will explore making flat plasma panels from fused glass. Class time will be roughly divided between the Kiln Shop and the Neon/Plasma Shop. In the Kiln Shop, we’ll design and assemble the glass envelope, using plaster or fiber models to shape the glass. These glass parts will then be sealed using solder glass in the kiln.
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- Music credits to the following artists in order of appearance:
- Preview – Retro by ONE
- The opening theme -Taming Lightning by Trav B. Ryan
- Patreon Promo – Next Time by Hayku
- Credits – Walking by Ras-Hop
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Hey there, fantastic listeners of the Taming Lightning podcast! Percy here, and I want to give a massive shoutout to all our supporters, especially those shining bright as our Patreon patrons.
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I hope you enjoyed the podcast.
Thank you Mark for providing your time and home to record the podcast. I appreciate the support of the years for taming lighting, and I’m excited to teach with you this summer at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. We’ll be finished with major construction on the new building and expansion at PGC, and I look forward to bringing a new neon and plasma experience to the Pittsburgh Glass Center!
I’d like to thank Pittsburgh Glass Center for supporting me as a place of research and inspiration, the Plasma Art Alliance, and the Facebook group Neon and Plasma Art for Beginner, where I have access to the well of knowledge and connects me to some amazing and supportive people.
