Collection and Transformation
Brightwater Environmental Education Center, Commissioned by the King County, WA, Public Art Program, managed by 4Culture
An installation of hand blown glass micro-organisms, found and fabricated laboratory glass referencing the transformation of waste water to clean water. 2011
Located at the exterior entrance plaza of the Brightwater Waste Water Treatment Plant Environmental Education Center, Collection and Transformation illuminates the process of wastewater treatment, celebrating the role of science and nature. The blown glass elements are based on the ciliates, rotifers and fungi that play a positive role in cleaning the water. The laboratory glass is a combination of actual and fanciful and references the water cleaning and monitoring functions of the plant.
The blue-mirrored case envelops the glass that is bathed by internal lighting to create a luminous environment.
The blown glass was made during a residency at the Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA where Ellen worked with master glass blower Ben Cobb. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Science in Education Program donated laboratory glass to the project. Ellen worked with scientific glass blower Eric Lindahl to modify selected lab glass pieces.
