A forest, battle bots, dentures all made from glass, make their U.S. debut at the American Swedish Institute (ASI)’s cutting edge exhibit, Pull Twist Blow-Transforming the Kingdom of Crystal. Presented in partnership with The Glass Factory of Sweden, Pull, Twist, Blow runs June 15 through October 13, 2013.

Pull, Twist, Blow showcases innovative pieces by eleven Swedish artists: Fredrik Nielsen (morphed pitchers), Åsa Jungnelius, Simon Klenell, Helena Kågebrand (pickled tongues and glass dentures), Peter Hermansson (Graal objects), Karl-Magnus Nilsson (lost-wax castings), Charles Stern, Matilda Kästel, Ingalena Klenell (“Homeland,” a glass forest), Ludvig Löfgren and Annika Jarring (combs and suitcase). Each work will be presented side by side with more traditional glasswork from The Glass Factory’s extensive collection that served as a reference point for the modern creations.

Innovation in glass art is also happening in Minnesota. The exhibit includes pieces by eight Minnesota artists whose work demonstrates how each has expanded the potential of the medium of glass and impacted the craft of glass making. Minnesota artists represented in the exhibit include Michael Boyd, Eoin Breadon, Todd Cameron, Spencer Cleland, Christopher Gray, Fred Kaemmer, David Royce, and Rick Schneider.