GLASS CYCLES
starting May 13, 2010
Maison Saint-Gabriel presents its new temporary exhibit Glass Cycles. It traces the history of glass in Montréal, from the time of handcrafted objects to the industrial production that started in Montréal in the 1850s and up to the present day, a period when recycling has become an essential part of the manufacturing process.Manufacturing glass in Canada
The basic recipe for glass – a heated mixture of sand, sodium carbonate and lime (calcium carbonate) – has remained unchanged for centuries. But it was not until the 19th century that glass objects, which were rare and valuable when blown by hand, became objects of mass consumption with the development of automated machines.
Once they became accessible to all social classes, glass objects transformed household habits. Throughout the day, these containers, bottles, jars, plates or glasses are used and often re-used for various domestic tasks. Today, old glass is recycled and used again. The Glass Cycles exhibit focuses on glass, the glass industry and glass recycling, through the history of the plant which has been located, since 1905, on land that formerly belonged to Maison Saint-Gabriel, in Pointe-Saint-Charles, and is now owned by O-I (Owens-Illinois), the largest producer of glass in the world.
The objects displayed in the exhibit make an admirable connection between the various periods in the industrial production of glass from its early days to the present. They come from the museum's collection as well as private collections.
 Glass Cycles from May 13, 2010 to December 19, 2010 Information: 514 935-8136 |
This exhibit has been made possible through the financial support of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame, the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine du Québec, and the Ville de Montréal, under the agreement on the cultural development of Montreal.
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