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An in-depth 1985 interview with neon artist Paul Seide, exploring his fusion of glass, light, and resonance, and his pivotal role in bringing neon into the studio art glass movement.About The Research Lab Library
The Research Lab Library is a curated collection of resources on neon and plasma—spanning history, science, artist practice, and learning materials. Each entry provides direct access to archives, articles, and media that support contextual writing and research, with sources cited for deeper exploration.
The scanned copy was accessed in person and digitized by Taming Lightning LLC from the Rakow Research Library, The Corning Museum of Glass. Shared here with gratitude for their stewardship of glass art archives.
DESCRIPTION:
Originally published in New Work magazine in 1985, A Conversation with Paul Seide is a wide-ranging interview conducted by Joe Upham and edited by Juli Davidson.
The discussion traces Seide’s artistic evolution from his early fascination with science and light to his pioneering fusion of neon, glass, and form in contemporary sculpture.
Seide reflects on concepts of resonance, oscillation, and viewer experience, proposing that true art creates a nonverbal energy exchange between object and observer.
He speaks candidly about his training under Ed Seise at the Egani Neon School, his time working alongside Dale Chihuly and learning hot glass under Harvey Littleton, and his role in establishing Milropa Studio—one of the first New York studios to unite blown glass and neon practice.
Rich with technical insight and personal anecdotes, the interview documents a turning point in the 1970s–80s glass movement, where artists began to merge studio glass craftsmanship with electrical and luminous technologies.
It stands as a primary historical account of how neon transitioned from commercial signage into a sculptural and conceptual medium.
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