The Journey from Dance to Glass Art: Nathalie Ziegler’s Story
Nathalie Ziegler, a 54-year-old former dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet, has always been captivated by the interplay of light and beauty. Her journey from the world of dance to the art of glasswork is a testament to her creative spirit and her ability to find inspiration in the most unexpected places. As a professional dancer, Ziegler would often return home from performances with her eyes exhausted from the intense stage lights. To create a more soothing and intimate atmosphere, she began lighting her home with candles placed inside photophores, which she crafted herself using mosaic-like pieces of colored glass. This simple yet elegant solution not only provided a calming ambiance but also marked the beginning of her deep love affair with glass. Her friends were immediately drawn to the beauty of these handcrafted photophores, and soon, they became a sought-after item among her circle. What started as a practical solution to a personal need evolved into a passion that would eventually define her career.
Craftsmanship and Design Philosophy: The Art of Glass
After retiring from the Paris Opera Ballet in the late 1990s, Ziegler turned her attention to creating intricate glass pieces that were as much works of art as they were functional objects. Her early creations included jewel-like fixtures, mirrors, vessels, and candelabra, all adorned with baroque profusions of glass. Over time, she became increasingly drawn to mirrored glass, which offered her a medium to explore the interplay of light and reflection in even more nuanced ways. Ziegler’s designs are deeply rooted in traditional French craftsmanship, and she often works with materials from Verrerie de Saint-Just, a company founded in 1826 that specializes in blown glass. The quality of this glass, with its rich texture and vibrant colors, is essential to her work. “I can’t use normal glass now,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of the blown glass’s unique qualities. “Because of the light, because of the texture in the blown glass. If I use the rose, it’s like a sunset. You have everything in it.”
The Artistic Process: From Sketch to Reality
Ziegler’s creative process begins with hand sketches, which fill the walls of her Paris studio. These drawings serve as the blueprints for her intricate glass creations, which often take the form of nature-inspired designs. Birds, snakes, and radiant suns are common motifs, alongside more abstract forms that evoke crystalline and foliate patterns. Each piece is a labor of love, requiring countless hours of meticulous craftsmanship. To bring her visions to life, Ziegler hand cuts mirrored glass into thousands of tiny fragments, which she then arranges within brass frameworks. Each piece is secured with silicone, a process that demands patience and precision. The sheer scale of some of her works means that she can work for up to 14 or 16 hours a day, completely absorbed in her craft. For example, she spent an entire month crafting a large snake mirror that was featured in her 2023 exhibition at the Twenty First Gallery in New York. This piece, which depicts a serpent gliding across ripples of water toward a cluster of coral and octopus legs, surrounded by what she describes as “carnivorous flowers,” is a testament to her dedication and artistry.
The Pursuit of Excellence: Time, Technique, and Transformation
Nathalie Ziegler’s commitment to her craft is evident in the time and effort she dedicates to each piece. The process of transforming raw glass into a work of art is both technically demanding and emotionally rewarding. Ziegler’s ability to envision and execute such intricate designs is a result of her years of experience and her deep connection to the medium. Each fragment of glass is carefully placed within the brass framework, creating a mosaic that is both visually striking and conceptually rich. The meticulous attention to detail required for such work is a hallmark of her artistry, and it is what sets her pieces apart from more mass-produced decorative items. Ziegler’s approach to glasswork is both traditional and innovative, blending centuries-old techniques with a contemporary aesthetic. Her dedication to excellence is not just about creating beautiful objects; it is about crafting pieces that inspire and remind us of the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Beyond Functionality: The Symbolism of Mirrors
For Nathalie Ziegler, mirrors are more than just functional objects; they are portals to the imagination. Each of her mirrored glass creations is designed to serve as an imaginary window or door, inviting the viewer to look beyond their own reflection and into a world of possibilities. “It’s not to see yourself; it’s to see out of yourself,” she explains, capturing the essence of her artistic vision. Her mirrors are not mere reflections of reality but gateways to the subconscious, where the boundaries between the self and the external world blur. This symbolism is evident in her snake mirror, where the serpent, a symbol of transformation and renewal, glides across the water toward a coral reef teeming with life. The piece is not just a decorative object but a meditation on the cyclical nature of existence. Ziegler’s work challenges us to see beyond the surface and to engage with the deeper truths that lie within and around us.
A Legacy of Light and Reflection: Nathalie Ziegler’s Vision
Nathalie Ziegler’s journey from the stages of the Paris Opera Ballet to the world of glass art is a testament to her boundless creativity and her ability to find beauty in the most unexpected places. Through her work, she has created a legacy that transcends the boundaries of art and craft, offering us a glimpse into a world of light, reflection, and imagination. Her pieces, with their intricate designs and symbolic meanings, remind us of the power of art to transform and inspire. Ziegler’s art is not just about creating beautiful objects; it is about crafting experiences that invite us to see the world anew. As she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with glass, Nathalie Ziegler’s work remains a source of inspiration and a reminder of the enduring beauty of light and reflection.
