Window
Building Name: School of Dentistry at University of MichiganArtist Name: David Jacobson, DDS
City: Ann Arbor
Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)
Date of Window: 2012
Subject/Title of Window: The Peony Garden-Nichols Arboretum
Brief Description of Subject: I made this window for my father, Isidore H. Jacobson who died in 1990. My father was a consummate professional; he was a “small town dentist” who practiced in New York City. He was fiercely loyal to his patients who stayed with him [even many who moved to neighboring states] for 40 years. I wanted to make something for his spirit, in his spirit. It has over 5,000 pieces and took 18 months to complete. The smallest piece- a little dapple of light on the edge of a leaf, is ~ 1x2mm. Dentists work within microscopic dimensions. We must feel things that we can’t actually see- a sort of extrasensory tactile perception. I like to call it “bio-mechanical Micro-sculpture”. Science intersecting art/ intersecting science... I set out to create a Tiffany-esque homage, with all the detail, subtlety and nuance of the grand things- but on a very small scale. The piece is just slightly bigger than a dorm-room poster. It’s made of opalescent glass and copper foil with wire reinforcements. Small plated sections of striated architectural clear glass over opalescent glass are used for details in tree bark. Before donating it to the Dental School in honor of my father, I entered it in the Art Glass Festival at Delphi (Stained Glass super-store in Lansing, Michigan) where it won first prize. It was also displayed at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI. The Dental School happily accepted the piece, built a light box for it, and put it on permanent display in a heavily used patient-waiting area.
Inscriptions: The Peony Garden-Nichols Arboretum
In memory of Isidore H. Jacobosn, DDS
Condition of Window: Good
Height: 45"
Width: 36"
Type of Glass and Technique: Opalescent Glass, Copper Foil
The Peony Garden-Nichols Arboretum
The Peony Garden installed
Small sections of striated clear glass over opalescent glass
Peony Garden-in process
Dedication plaque
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