The son of a glassblower, Nicolas Morin proposes varied creative lines, figurative and abstract sculptures around different themes, the decomposition of light by glass, a metaphor for human diversity or the fragility of the material he uses to represent machines and mechanisms created by man.

To comply with the contest theme this year, “Glass and Transmission,” the artist has designed a disk drive in etched glass. The jury, made up of museum curators, artists and members of the ESGAA (European Studio Glass Art Association), met on May 29 to deliberate. Nicolas Morin’s work was selected from among 92 candidates, for its technical and artistic qualities as well as for the originality of theme. The competition was initiated by ESGAA in autumn 2008 in partnership with the bank CIC Est. A prize of €5000 will be awarded to the winner in October 2009 in Strasbourg, during a reception at the headquarters of the CIC Est bank.

The ESGAA, a non-profit association founded in 2003, has over 80 collector members and lovers of contemporary glass. The ESGAA originated the event at Strasbourg, Glass Capital, in 2006, which became this year the International Glass Biennial. The event highlights glass in all its aspects (art, design, decorative arts, architecture, sculpture, photography) through numerous exhibitions in Strasbourg. The International Glass Biennial 2009 takes place from October 14 to November 30, 2009. Two new exhibitions are opening in June.

Two exhibitions open their doors in June:

- From June 2009 to May 2010 : exhibition Jörg Zimmermann at the Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis à Saint-Louis-lès-Bitche

- From June 1, 2009 to January 4, 2010: exhibition “Balançoires de lumières” at the church ‘église Saint-Maurice in Strasbourg. Opening June 23 at 7 pm.