How did it all begin?
This happened during the time of Pliny, who describes in detail an incident that occurred during the journey of Phoenician sailors. They cooked food using pieces of soda as a base for a fire, which was placed on the sand. When all this was heated to a certain temperature and melted, joining together, glass was formed. Of course, the travelers did not yet know what use the resulting substance could be used for, and were very surprised to learn, for example, that glassware and many other important and useful things were made from glass.
Daily use
But over time, of course, the properties of the material were studied, and now no one is surprised that vases, figurines and other things are made from glass, which are not household items, but works of art. Moreover, it cannot be said that modern masters have achieved such subtleties. Back in 2000 BC, the Chinese made glass in an amazing way. If you ask a child: “What are they made of glass?” “Aquarium, window, glass,” he will answer, that is, he will name the objects in the room, and he will be absolutely right.
Transparent people
But other amazing things are made from it. For example, sculptures, despite the fragility of the material. Scottish craftsman Rob Mulholland didn't bother asking what other people were making out of glass. He created his own unique works of art. But he knew exactly what mirrors were made of glass, because it was their ability to reflect the world around him that he used to create his sculptures, which he installed in the Elizabethan Forest Park in Aberfoyle. They represent silhouettes of people, cut out in full height.
Park visitors are extremely surprised when a “ghost” suddenly appears in front of them. This effect arises from the fact that figures cut out of plexiglass are not visible from a certain angle. Mulholland installed his sculptures with the goal of more than just amusing travelers. He wanted to show people that the natural landscape changes depending on whether they are present in a certain corner of the Earth or not, and to draw attention to the history that happened after the end of the First World War. Then, from these places, which were bare slopes without trees, the farmers who lived here were resettled and a forest was planted. Thus, the answer to the question of what is made of glass can be: meaningful art installations. And it will be true.
Imitating nature
Another original artist who uses glass to create her works is Shayna Leib. It is impossible to describe her works in one word. To put it simply, they are interlacing multi-colored glass tubes. Shaina achieves such a natural effect that the viewer initially cannot understand what what is shown to him is made of. Most of all it looks like sea grass or the tentacles of an unknown animal. The compositions come in different sizes, but they are all very beautiful and seem alive.
Gouache
Does your creativity tell you that you can paint complex images without a stencil? How to decorate glass with your own hands using gouache? You will need a glass pencil. Using a wax pencil, draw a sketch on the window. The topic can be any. You can depict anything - from a landscape to a portrait, from a multi-figure composition to something abstract. The image is ready, now you need to color it. Get out gouache and brushes of different sizes. You don't need water to paint glass. The paint will be applied in a thick layer, and in a drawing on glass it is very important that there are no gaps. Fill the outline of the image. Try to keep it in one layer. It is not advisable to apply a second coat of paint on glass. The bottom colored layer is deformed and drains. Therefore, immediately mix the desired shade and paint with confident strokes. Gouache should be painted in the same way as if you were painting in oil. Confident, broad strokes will give the drawing a unique flavor.
Where else is it used?
Although society is accustomed to the fact that glass is used for everyday purposes and many do not think about what creative people make from glass, it also brings significant benefits in everyday life. Now it is difficult to imagine how people managed without mirrors. But they are also made of glass. Lenses made from this material help travelers, doctors, and scientists. After all, they are inserted into telescopes, telescopes, and microscopes. Yes, even the average person is familiar with them. These are glasses, faithful assistants to those who see poorly. Here, too, you can’t do without glass. Its two properties - transparency and strength - were useful not only in the manufacture of glasses.
Lesson “Objects made of glass and metal” experiments and experiments on the surrounding world (senior group)
Lesson No. 4
Topic: Glass and metal objects
Purpose: to introduce the properties of glass and metal and their applications; develop curiosity, tactile memory, attention, clarify children’s understanding of what objects can be made of glass and metal; introduce the professions of people working with glass and metal.
Progress of the lesson
Kuzya comes to visit the children.
There are two trays on the table. On the first there are objects made of glass, on the second - from metal.
- Guys, look what Kuzma has prepared for us on the table. What's missing here! Name what you see (children's answers)
- Guys, why do you think Kuzya put some items on the first tray and others on the second?
– That’s right, on the first tray all the objects are made of glass, glass, and on the second tray all the objects are made of metal, metal.
– Do you like to play hide and seek? And Kuzya also loves to play. Do you want to play with Kuzya? Kuzya will now hide the ball (any object), and you will have to guess where it is. Look, Kuzya, hide it well!
Children close their eyes.
- One, two, three - quickly find the ball!
Kuzya hides the ball in a glass. Children open their eyes and immediately find the object.
- Guys, how were you able to find the ball so quickly?
The children answer that they saw a ball.
– What property does glass have that makes you immediately see the ball through it? What kind of glass? (Transparent.) Let's say it all together: “Transparent.” Where else do people use glass to take advantage of this wonderful property - transparency? (Glass is used to make car windows, aquarium walls, thermometers, glasses, glasses are inserted into window frames, light bulbs, etc.)
– It’s good that people came up with glass. What would happen if we didn't have glass windows in our group? (It would be dark, there would be no sun and light in the group, they would not see nature through the window.)
- Guys, Kuzya wants to play with you again. This time, Kuzya, try to hide the ball well.
Kuzya hides the ball in a metal box with a lid.
- One, two, three - find the ball!
Children open their eyes and look for the ball. Game "Hot - Cold". Found in a box.
– Was it more difficult to search now? The ball is not visible in the metal box, but you guessed it by the sound. When we picked up the box, the ball rattled. The metal box is opaque. Let’s repeat it all together: “Opaque.”
- And now, guys, Kuzya asks you to choose and pick up one item each. And Kuzya will take for himself what he liked.
Kuzya was holding the glass object and almost dropped it.
- Oh, Kuzya, be careful!
- Guys, what would have happened if Kuzya had dropped the glass on the floor? What would happen to a glass glass if it hit a hard floor? (It would have broken.) This means glass has one more property. What is this property? (Glass is fragile.)
Is the metal box fragile too? (No)
Shall we check? (After hitting the floor, the box remained intact.)
– Glass is fragile, but metal is strong and hard.
- Guys, Kuzya wanted to drink water and is worried about where it is better for him to pour the water: into a glass or metal glass. He thinks that if the glass is transparent, then suddenly water will flow out of it. Let's try to pour Kuza water into a metal and glass glass. Let Kuzya see what happens.
The teacher pours water.
Look, Kuzya, the water does not spill out, does not leak, but is firmly held in all the cups. This means that glass and metal have another common property - water resistance.
- Let's do one more experiment. Look, guys, if we take glass and metal plates and put them in water, what will happen to them? That's right, they will plunge into the water. What if you put a wooden plate in the water? (It will float.) So, what kind of glass and metal are they? Light or heavy? (Heavy.)
– Now let’s run our hand over all glass and metal objects. What are they? Soft or hard? (Hard.) Smooth or rough? (They can be both smooth and rough, in this they are similar.)
– Can you tell them apart by smell? (No)
- What about the sound? (Can.)
- Now Kuzya will play with you an interesting game “What does it sound like?”
Kuzya knocks on various objects with a stick, the children recognize which object by the sound.
– And by the sound you can identify metal and glass.
- Guys, look, who else came to us?
The teacher shows a decorated metal spoon and a decorated glass goblet.
– These are old friends, but also great debaters. Each of them claims and is confident that he is more important than all the others. The spoon argues that many very useful objects are made from metal, and the glass argues that much more is made from glass. How to resolve their dispute? Which one is right?
- Guys, let's divide into two teams. The first team is for the spoon, the second is for the glass. Who can name more objects made of glass or metal?
Children take turns naming objects made of glass and metal.
- Well done guys, you named a lot of things. It turns out that both the spoon and the glass were right. Both glass and metal are very useful and necessary in human life.
- Guys, do you know where people get glass and metal from? And you, Kuzenka, don’t you know? Then listen to an interesting story.
– One day a man saw a mysterious mountain that was spewing fire and hot stones. This mountain is called a volcano. When the eruption ended, the stones cooled and became very hard. An inquisitive and brave man began to study the properties of such stones. It turned out that from such a strong stone it was possible to make an ax better than the previous one, made from ordinary stone and wood. And the needles were stronger, and the knife was harder. Man called this material metal. But volcanoes do not exist everywhere and they do not always erupt. So a man thought of building a special huge furnace and “cooking” metal in it.
(The teacher illustrates his story: a blast furnace, people working with metals, etc.)
- Guys, do any of you know what professions people work with metal? (children's answers)
- That's right, these are welders, turners, blacksmiths, metallurgists.
– And glass, guys, is a material well known to everyone. Man invented a method for producing glass a long time ago. During excavations, archaeologists found a glass bead that is more than a thousand years old. This is how ordinary clean sand and other special additives are melted, although the sand and additives are opaque, when melted, a transparent paste is obtained. Sheets are pulled out of it. These transparent glass sheets are inserted into window frames.
– Guys, what professions do people work with glass? (children's answers)
- That's right, glass is installed by glaziers. A very interesting job for a glassblower. He blows various products from hot glass: vases, decanters, toys, various figures of people and animals, flowers.
Game "Good - Bad". Children discover new good and bad qualities of metal and glass.
See the world
The eyes of a house or apartment are windows. Now it is difficult to imagine that mica, paper or bull bladder were once used instead of glass. Windows not only give you the opportunity to see the world around you without leaving your home. They can still decorate the interior if they are made of stained glass. Multi-colored glass can also be used for doors. Stained glass windows add bright colors or mystery to a room, as desired by the owner, when sunlight or electric light penetrates through them.
Table
Varieties of glass tables are so popular that a piece of such furniture can be found in every second home. Coffee, magazine, dining - they all look original and unusual. Due to their transparency, they can add the necessary airiness and weightlessness to the room.
The manufacturing shape is also quite different: circle, oval, rectangle and square. If desired, the table can be made to order and get a fancy and unusual shape. The tabletop can be either simple glossy or matte, with a pattern.
Related links: How to furnish a long room
Can be recycled
Glass has become a true friend for man. A huge advantage of this material is the possibility of its recycling. It’s not for nothing that used glass containers and broken glass are collected. It is taken to recycling plants and melted down for further use. Thus, entrepreneurs save their costs on the production of products, and the environment improves. This is a great way to help the planet rid itself of waste. Otherwise, you will have to wait more than 1000 years for the glass to decompose.
Liquid glass
Thinking about how to decorate a glass plate? Then pay attention to liquid glass technology. To work you will need beautiful decorative material. These could be shells, beads, beautiful stones, small toys or any other decorative elements. From the collected material, you need to lay out a composition at the bottom of the plate. If you want your product to have a background, then the bottom of the container must be covered with acrylic in advance. When the composition is ready, it should be carefully filled with a layer of liquid glass. All you have to do is wait for the glass to harden and the product will be ready.
