SASHA ZHITNEVA Statement + CV
Born: Moscow, Russia
Resides: Pennsylvania
Illuminated Pages from the Book of Seconds
The series is inspired by The Book of Hours - manuscripts containing special prayers for each part of the day.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance these treasured books were given as gifts on special occasions, such as weddings, they appeared in medieval wills, testifying to their value and importance. A Book of Hours was often the first and only book an individual owned in his or her lifetime.
In working on my series I've been inspired by the unparallel beauty of the art in these books. (The fact that they are called “illuminated” manuscripts only naturally drew me to make the translation into glass.) Equally important to me has been the idea of registering, experiencing and celebrating every hour (or as my title suggests, even more dramatically, every fleeting second) as an attempt to deal with time-related questions and issues.
I also wanted to match the triumphant vibrancy of colors of the 
miniatures in the Books. Resilience of color over time is an inspiring task. Medieval artists grounded precious stones and diluted gold, so their paints could withstand the trial of centuries. In my case understanding of how gravity and viscosity work through the several days long firings does the job. There are no paints in my work. All the thinnest veils and transparent washes of color are created from opaque sheet glass through repeated firings in a kiln and manipulations in-between. It takes me about a month or sometimes more to have a page ready for viewing.
But just like in the original the colors won't fade
Curriculum Vitae
Exhibitions and Shows
2008
SOFA NY (represented by Chappell Gallery)
Delaware Highlands Seven Exhibition (Peters Valley, NJ)
On the Wall (group show, Chappell Gallery, NY)
2007
SOFA Chicago (represented by Chappell Gallery)
SOFA NY (represented by Chappell Gallery)
PB3, West Palm Beach, FL
2006
SOFA Chicago (represented by Chappell Gallery)
SOFA NY (represented by Chappell Gallery)
Fluid Canvas III, (solo), Chappell Gallery, NY
Global Art Venue, (solo), Seattle. WA
PB3, West Palm Beach, FL
2005
SOFA NY (represented by Chappell Gallery)
Global Art Venue, (solo), Seattle. WA
PB3, West Palm Beach, FL
2004
Tapestry of Glass (solo), Auradell Gallery, PA
SOFA Chicago, (Chappell Gallery)
Entering Voids, (solo), Chappell Gallery, NY
SOFA NY, (UrbanGlass, Chappell Gallery)
A New Vanguard, Chappell Gallery, NY
4 New Artists, 4 New Perspectives, Chappell Gallery, Boston
Palm Beach Contemporary , (Chappell Gallery)
Fashion Show, Schenectady Museum, NY
Bling Bling /jewelry fashion show, MAD @ Sotheby’s, NY
2003
Artists of UrbanGlass, UrbanGlass, NY
SOFA NY (UrbanGlass)
Peters Valley Art Gallery, NJ
2002
SOFA Chicago (UrbanGlass),
Peters Valley Art Gallery, NJ
2000
UrbanGlass, Brooklyn, NY
Public Collections and Commissions
Jewish Fellowship of Hemlock Farms, PA
Textile SHELK, Russia
Experience
1999-pr.
Owner, SZ Glass and Design. Architectural glass and functional glass objects, glass jewelry.
2007-2002
Instructor, Peters Valley Arts and Crafts, NJ
Mosaic Stained Glass as a Modern Medium
2000-01
Technical Assistant, Fundacio Centre del Vidre, Barcelona;
Mosaic/ oven-worked glass intensives.
1991-2007
Multimedia & graphic designer, SZD, projects vary from print design to games and websites, clients include Pepsi-Cola, Honda, MCI, Sony, Sun Microsystems, UrbanGlass.
Education
1998-2000
UrbanGlass, Brooklyn, - mosaics, fusing, kilncasting and lampworking.
1998
Corning Museum of Glass, NY, - Fusing and Enameling.
1997
School of Visual Arts, New York, Course on Softimage
1995
Pratt Fine Arts Center , Seattle, WA - Stained Glass
1994-95
Pratt Institute, New York, Computer Graphics/Animation
1992
Center for the Media Arts, New York, Computer Graphic Design
1983-85
College of Industrial Design, Moscow, Russia. BFA: Graphic Arts
1979-84
Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, MA
Publications
winter 2005; Glass (The UrbanGlass Art Quarterly)
spring 2005; Glass
1/2002; Glashaus
