ABSTRACT
The word Gathering clearly refers both to a gathering of artists in the studio environment, and works by various artists gathered together, sharing a space in the gallery. The elegant form of the traditional Venetian goblet was the initial inspiration for Gathering. The goblet's influence on American glassblowing and sculpture is self-evident. Miller adapted the ideas and techniques to create a body of work in which the goblet forms were dramatically enlarged, approaching human scale. John Miller's 'Gathering' project is, to play out the musical analogy further, a bit of a riff on that template of interactivity and collegiality. There has been an increase in the number of student collaborations and curricula focused on collaborative processes in college art programs. Collaborations such as these provide artists opportunities to explore new ideas and pursue ambitious projects. This shift in working style creates novelty, complexity, and interdependent relationships.
