Empire of Ice

Michael Mikula (American, b.1963)

Empire of Ice, 2007

Mold blown, cut and polished glass, brushed aluminum, stainless steel

In Empire of Ice, artist Michael Mikula explores the nature in which civilizations have been built upon the footprints of earlier cultures. Textural and faceted blown glass components are contained like archeological findings, compressed between each layer of brushed aluminum. As the viewer looks upwards, the elements in each layer become more architecturally refined.

Michael Mikula is always examining our built environment for its patterns, forms and details to spark his imagination. For more than two decades he has explored a process using multi-part graphite molds as a tool for introducing imagery into blown glass. Michael calls the resulting body of work, which highlights the visual effects of positive and negative form, “Architechtonic Blown Glass”. His artwork was exhibited as part of Building Skyward: Michael Mikula, the GLASS Arts Festival First Place Prize exhibition sponsored by Rosann Baum Milius.

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass has an exciting opportunity to purchase Empire of Ice, 2007 from artist Michael Mikula. With a match from the museum’s acquisition fund and a partial donation from the artist, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is seeking funds for purchase of this major sculptural artwork. We ask for YOUR help in supporting our acquisition match to make the museum a permanent home for Empire of Ice.

All donations will receive recognition as part of the donor credit line of the work.