技法
Block Fusing
Japanese: ブロックフュージング
A technique in which nine or more sheets of flat glass are stacked and secured within a ceramic fiber board frame, then fused at 800–850°C to form a solid block.
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Block fusing is a technique in which nine or more sheets of flat glass are stacked, secured on the sides within a ceramic fiber board frame, and heated to 800–850°C to fuse them into a single mass. It is classified as one of the “Three Approaches to Mass Glass Sculpture” systematized by Rei Chikaoka (2012, 2021). When transparent glass sheets are layered, unique air bubbles and refraction of light are created within the mass, which in turn become the core of the artistic expression.
This viscosity range corresponds to log η 4–5 (810–850°C), at which point the glass fuses into a single mass in a fully fluid state. The ceramic fiber board frame serves to prevent the glass from flowing sideways during firing, and the final shape becomes apparent after this frame is removed. Due to the plate-count effect, stacking nine or more layers causes them to flatten under their own weight; therefore, it is necessary to calculate in advance the relationship between the number of stacked layers, their dimensions, and the final thickness.
Related Concepts
Compare and understand the techniques for three-dimensional solid modeling, including press-fusing, powder-mold-forming, the plate-count effect, and ceramic fiber.
This entry is written in Japanese by Rei Chikaoka and translated for readers outside Japan. If something reads oddly, the original is the source of truth.