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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Inform work through experimentation with glass working techniques and media.
  2. Develop and refine a conceptual vision for glass work.
  3. Determine and organise resource requirements for new work.
  4. Realise glass work.

Required Skills

Required skills

research skills and sources of information to inform experimentation in glass work

literacy skills sufficient to interpret information and material about the work of other glass artists

numeracy skills sufficient to evaluate resource costs and to calculate firing times

Required knowledge

the role of experimentation in the developing and refining of concepts for glass work

detailed knowledge of physical properties and capabilities of the range of materials and tools used in glass work

the characteristics of different materials under different treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects

formal elements and principles of design and how these may be used adapted and challenged in the development of concepts for glass work

the historical and theoretical contexts for glass work and how this may be used to inform own artistic practice

copyright moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation associated with glass work

sources of raw partprocessed and processed materials and other resources for glass work

work space requirements for glass work including selection and set up of work space for particular types of work

environmental issues associated with the tools and materials used in glass work including the potential issues associated with new approaches

organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures in relation to glass work

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit

production of glass work which demonstrates a highly developed command of the selected techniques and which is consistent with the conceptual vision

in depth knowledge of techniques materials and tools and the ways they may be adapted and extended

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The assessment context must provide for

evaluation of visual language and technical execution of work pieces produced by the candidate

practical demonstration of skills using required tools equipment and materials to produce multiple pieces of glass work or a single major work

Method of assessment

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge and might include

direct observation of glass work in progress including exploration of and experimentation with techniques

questioning and discussion about candidates intentions and the work outcomes

verbal and written reports

review of portfolios of evidence

third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such a speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Assessment of this unit requires access to the materials and resources needed to produce glasswork


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Glass work may include:

architectural glass work

functional items (bowls, platters, vases)

installation work

sculptural forms

vessels

wearable pieces (head and neck pieces, brooches).

Within this unit the candidate would generally demonstrate a command of a broad range of techniques as the basis for experimentation and innovation. Techniques may include:

assemblage

blowing

casting

colouring

engraving

etching

fusing

hot forming

lampworking

leadlight/copperfoil

pâté de verre

sand blasting

slumping.

Materials may include:

clay

clear furnace glass for hotworking as well as compatible coloured glass for hotworked overlays and inclusions

materials suitable for inclusions (selected metals and minerals, plant materials)

other colouring agents such as lustres, metallic salts

plaster

polishing powders (pumice, cerium oxide)

range of colours suitable for both low and high temperatures as well as for layered glass, cast glass and stained, painted and printed surfaces

refractory board suitable for making moulds

refractory fillers (sand, silica)

refractory release agents (graphite, kaolin, alumina, bead release)

sculpture wax

selection of clear and coloured compatible casting glass

selection of clear and coloured compatible glass for lampworking

selection of clear and coloured compatible sheet glass for kiln formed work

selection of clear and coloured sheet glass for leadlighting/copperfoil work

variety of texturing materials.

Tools may include:

brushes

cutting aids and guides (templates, braced squares, grids)

hand glass cutters (regular glass cutter, circle cutter)

hand polishing pads

modelling and carving tools for clay and/or plaster

moulds for hotglass work

piping tools (slip trailer, icing bag, syringe)

pliers (running, grozing, plate)

rulers

slumping moulds.

Equipment may include:

compressor

drill

electric kilns, kiln furniture

engravers

glass cutting machinery (cut-off saw, band saw)

glass cutting table

grinding and polishing equipment (linisher, flatbed grinder, bevel grinder)

light table

PPE, including safety glasses, gloves and wrist gauntlets, dust masks, respirator

programmable kiln controllers

sandblaster

slumping moulds.

Extending capabilities through:

experimentation encourages the exploration of the full potential of the art form and involves innovation.

Particular safety or environmental issues may include:

Federal, State and Territory legislation, regulations and standards

personal protection

recycling

safe disposal of waste.

Research may involve:

approaching individuals with relevant expertise

attending lectures and talks

conducting material and technical experiments and tests

seeking out information in books, journals, newspapers

visiting exhibitions, museums.

Intellectual property and copyright requirements may relate to:

extent to which the work may be used

procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright

protocols for the adaptation of work by others.

The conceptual vision may be determined by:

elements and principles of design

the relationship of the work to a theoretical and historical context

the subject matter or theme for the glass work, e.g. the body; identity; land and place; political, cultural, social issues; spiritual concerns.

Refining the conceptual vision may include:

adjustment to consideration of elements and principles of design

adjustment to subject matter or theme

adjustment to utilise the extended capabilities of the technique

no change.

Sources of supply may include:

commercial outlets

found objects or materials

manufacturing or factory waste

nature.

Cost and other constraints may relate to:

availability of materials and tools

budgeting

sponsorship

timeframe.

Workplace requirements may include:

dust extraction

lighting

process specific requirements

ventilation

wet and dry areas.

Issues of presentation may include:

availability of space

client preference

cost

practical considerations

presentation context

timeframe.

Taking action may involve:

deciding on presentation method

seeking external assistance (for example with plinth construction)

selecting and preparing work for presentation.