Situated in the serenity of New Canaan, the Glass House stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of contemporary design and nature. Not only is The Glass House an exhibition in itself, but with the help of a skilled team, including new Executive Director Kirsten Reoch, the iconic architectural gem will host an upcoming season of events that will blend art, architecture, and nature in an unforgettable fusion, namely, a conversation and exhibition of American master stone carver Mark Mennin: Processi, which is on view now until December 15.
The Glass House has become a renowned symbol of modernist architecture since its completion in 1949. Its transparent walls dissolve the boundaries between the built environment and the natural world, creating an immersive experience that has captivated art and architecture enthusiasts for decades. The venue has long symbolized architectural innovation and artistic exploration. This season’s events aim to carry forward this legacy, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with art and nature simultaneously.
Mark Mennin is a Connecticut-based sculptor who takes on large-scale projects in granite, marble, and onyx. He has a history with The Glass House dating back over twenty years- when he was invited by Philip Johnson to the Glass House to discuss a sculptural collaboration with the architect. Mennin has created pieces worldwide and is a dual citizen in America and Italy, which influences his work. “As both a US and Italian citizen, I chose the Italian word processi to describe this exhibition, since it is applied in Italian to mean “trial” as much as “process(es),” said Mennin. The title is also a nod to Philip Johnson’s essential concept of “procession” through architecture and landscape; the late architect’s favored term for the interconnected aspects of all the spatial and visual elements of architecture.
The interaction of architecture and nature has long been one of the primary focuses of the Glass House as an entity, and Mennin’s new sculpture installation, Processi, certainly upholds similar themes.
Mennin’s Processi includes a series of sculptures located around The Glass House grounds. The sculptor chose to use the scenery as inspiration and a tool for collaboration with each piece. He stated that the entirety of Processi is “40 years of meandering inspirations, but most all of these pieces were specifically picked to have a conversation with one of the buildings, as well as the landscape. Both form and palette are interacting with the the architecture and geographic circumstances.” He continued to detail each of the main sculptural components and their connection to the setting; “The Long Pillow is in conversation with the geometry of the pool and glasshouse, Selva is working with the stone outcroppings, and Cloud Splitter and its pitch is an organic counterpart to the sculpture gallery… the inspiration for the pieces themselves is too unfocused but, for the installation, it is certainly the architecture and landscape.”
The interaction of architecture and nature has long been one of the primary focuses of the Glass House as an entity, and Mennin’s new sculpture installation certainly upholds similar themes. Processi will be on display at The Glass House now until December 15. Mennin will be present for a presentation on October 3, where guests and visitors can hear firsthand about the sculptor’s inspirations, experience, and processes behind the creation of Processi.
More information on Mark Mennin’s sculpture installation, as well as other upcoming events, can be found at https://theglasshouse.org/. The Glass House is open April – December from Thursday – Monday, 10 am to 5 pm. Advanced tickets are required. Sundays are self-guided tour days.
