Through A Glass, Darkly

"Through a Glass, Darkly" is an exhibition exploring glass and glass-related materials and processes. The expression "through a glass, darkly" comes from the writings of the Apostle Paul and refers to having an obscure vision of reality. Historically, glass has augmented human perception, allowing us to view parts of the world otherwise elusive to our limited natural senses. While revealing the minuscule and distant, preserving the fleeting, and encapsulating the fragile and reactive, glass also obscures our perception of the very things it helps us to observe. The nature of the material is two-sided: it both enhances and subverts vision, serving as an instrument for enlightenment while simultaneously driving misinformation.

The exhibition will be on display at The Delaware Contemporary from September 1 through December 31, 2022, spanning six galleries and occupying more than 6,000 square feet. Selected works will engage the historical promise and power of the material to reveal and bring clarity, while challenging viewers to acknowledge an inherent interconnectedness between enhancement and distortion. The curators are Kristin Deady (Assistant Dean of Glass at Salem Community College), Jenna Lucente (Associate Professor of Art at Salem Community College), and Alexander Rosenberg (artist, educator, and writer based in Philadelphia).

The exhibition seeks new and recent works containing glass and glass-like materials and processes created by artists of all experience levels. Work may range in scale and format from discrete objects to large installations and should challenge conventional notions of what glass is and can do. Artists must submit 5-10 images of existing work or proposals for new work tied to the theme, along with a brief written statement and a one to two page resume. Entry fee is $20.00. Artists living in NJ, DE, MD, PA, NY, VA, and DC are highly encouraged to apply; artists throughout the continental United States are also welcome. Work must be available for the duration of the exhibition and must have been created within the last three years. Artwork must not have been included in any major exhibition within 60 miles of The Delaware Contemporary within the last three years. Application deadline is November 1, 2021. Artist notification is January 15, 2022. Work delivery is August 1-15, 2022.