Fwd: 4 Most Amazing Stained Glass From Around the Globe
Hamid Kaashif
At first glance, these appear to be conventional stained-glass windows with a modern design, but the components of the windows are a bit unusual, they contain slices of agate. In 2009, the Grossmünster (one of the three major churches of Zürich) has been enriched with twelve exquisite windows by Sigmar Polke. He has given the western half of the church seven windows where the glass has been impregnated with thin slices of agate. Rockhounding purists might be dismayed by the fact that the geode slices have been “enhanced” by artificial coloration, but the effect is nonetheless quite striking.
Glass Windows of the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision (Netherlands)
Neutelings Riedijk Architects (NRA) represent the generation of Dutch Architects that are finally beginning to usurp the dominance of Rem Koolhaas. NRA recently completed Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. The building was conceived as a perfect cube, half of which is buried beneath the ground. A cultural focus for the city of Hilversum, it houses broadcasting archives, offices and a museum. The exterior is a modern stained glass, conceived in collaboration with artist Jaap Drupsteen. Each panel of the cast glass skin is imprinted with famous images from Dutch Television. Interestingly, each image is only discernible from a certain angle, creating a merged and colourful effect. The interior of the building is in textural contrast, as it gives way to the exhibits. However, the stained glass casts a colourful glow where it permeates. One wonders if the effect is similar to that of the stained glass that we are more used to — that of the mediaeval church.
World's Largest Stained-Glass Domed Ceiling (Chicago, US)
The Chicago Cultural Center - Preston Bradley Hall. This is the largest stained-glass domed ceiling in the world by Tiffany.
Sainte Chapelle Stained Glass (France)
La Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, France. The most visually beautiful aspects of the chapel, considered the best of their type in the world, are its 6,458 square feet of stained glass windows of the upper chapel, surrounded by delicate painted stonework. The windows are in deep reds and blues and illustrate 1,130 figures from the Bible. The rose windows were added to the upper chapel in the 15th century.