CARISSA M. E, BAKTAY 183 Deerfield Drive SE, Calgary, AB, T2787 | 403.616.7412 | crise baktay@ aca ca Artist Statement My desire to depict landscapes based on both a personal memory of Alberta sky lines as well as an aesthetic interest in the locale is an emerging and ongoing interest in my work. I find the influence of memory on place very interesting, specifically the way in which one might personalize a space through specific experiences or situations. My interest in and memories of hiking and backpacking in the Canadian Rockies have influenced my work in glass. These blown glass pieces, such as image (003_BAKTAY_ Sandcastle 2, 004_ BAKTAY_Wind, Water, Rock and 005_BAKTAY_lIce, have been cold worked to present elements poignant in my childhood memories of hiking; ice, rock, water and sand. Based on senses such as the tactile experience or a rock in your hand or the cold water of a mountain stream, | believe that your emotions and senses have an unequivocal link to the way ones memories are formed. This early exploration of texture and physicality has directed my creative practice towards the work | have been sculpting more recently. My practice currently pertains to the idea of place and memory, but not quite as literally as in my previous work. A change in residence has inspired a move from literal elemental and mountainous depictions, into an investigation of hollow forms that represent the negative space between the ‘mountains and hills the place where the horizon line meets the sky and atmosphere, The shapes of these forms are inspired by the foothills and mountains near my home. | discovered that | only recognise the shape of the sky in reference to the features and elements around it. This prompted the development of the pieces | am currently exploring. This recent work investigates the use of hollow, spherical glass shapes to represent the negative space between landscapes and skies, which have traditionally been represented two dimensionally in paint. The pieces in my current body of work, such as image 001_BAKTAY_Bluegrey 2 and 002_BAKTAY_ Bluegrey 1, were created using multiple layers of color in order to capture the depth and complexity of the color seen in the sky. This was done using both Swedish overlays as well as by stuffing color cups. These cups were made slightly too large in order to purposely trap bubbles in between the layers of color, capturing small pieces of atmosphere encased in the hallow form, adding to the airiness and enhancing the movement in the piece. The finished sculptures have no functional openings or holes, and have been cold worked and hand lapped to the desired finish based on the color and shape of the piece. The fluid, organic medium of glass drives and inspires my creative practice, and | enjoy the aesthetic. ‘outcome of the product as much as | enjoy the process of making it. CARISSA M.E. BAKTAY carissa.baktay@acad.ca (403)616.7412