{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"EP 39: Michael Flechtner - Drawing with Light","description":"On today\u2019s podcast  we have Michael Flechtner!  As a child Michael Flechtner was fascinated with electricity, fire and colored light of all kinds.  It could be the stained glass windows at church, his father testing the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and the neon signage in his home town\u2026adorning shop windows and local drive-ins and movie theatres.   With Flechtner\u2019s background in sculpture(BFA, MFA) , as he began to learn how to bend neon tubes, it became clear to him through literally some \u201cwrong turns\u201d that he would be able to create 3 dimensional neon forms in what is primarily  considered a 2 dimensional medium. He believes he has a \u201cgift\u201d that enables him to be able to visualize the finished work and then to create patterns, jigs, techniques and other devices in order to create these very \u201cin the round\u201d neon artworks.   Michael would say \u201cI knew that it was very important to develop sound bending skills and techniques so that my work would survive, handling, bombarding, and finally assembly and installation.\u201d And thus over the years, he\u2019s created a number of forms in various sizes that include sea life, aircrafts, radios, cameras, etc.  The smallest 3D plane he\u2019s made has a 6 inch wingspan and the largest 3D shark 7 long long. Flechtner says \u201cIt is surprising to me\u2026as well as others how strong these fragile constructions really are\u201d. Note for context this episode was recorded in early June of 2020, it seems so far away, with all that\u2019s happened in between. Let\u2019s get right to it!   web: www.taminglightning.net ig: @taminglightning ","author_name":"Taming Lightning","author_url":"http:\/\/www.taminglightning.net","html":"