|
 |
 |
|
Final Shape: As soon as the glass has assumed a rough approximation of its final shape form, it is passed to the servitor, who rolls the blowing rod back and forth on the arms of his bench, at the same time using such of the tools as may be necessary to form the object, often with the aid of a helper. By now, the object has achieved a recognizable shape and becomes the direct responsibility of the gaffer. He joins, shapes, shears, and measures the object. From time to time during his work he inserts the glass product into the round aperture of the small, square furnace called the glory hole, which, in a sense, is the center of the shop. The glass must not be permitted to become cool during the final shape process of finishing. A uniform temperature must be maintained, as nearly as possible.
THIS INFLUENCES design considerably. Few plots are symmetrical, but that really does not matter. An L-shape or a triangle can even offer more design potential than a rectangle. Perhaps the most difficult shape of all is a square, particularly when it is too small to subdivide as in many yards in front. A design for an awkward shape needs to be carefully thought out. A long thin area, for example, can be divided into contrasting sections with barriers across its width, but by leaving a narrow view running through from one end to the other you create an additional sight line. Furthermore, by placing an ornamental feature like a statue or seat at the far end, you gain the full benefit from the site's length while the screens minimize the disadvantages of its shape.
The shape of the geoid is defined by its departure from a "reference ellipsoid" which fits most closely to the shape of the earth; in this case, the average level of the land and sea is taken as the norm. Mountains are then higher and sea-floors lower than the surface of this ellipsoid. (An ellipsoid is the regular geometric shape obtained by revolving an ellipse round one of its axes.) |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
