Bath Spa University

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The MTC Window

As part of the 1997 extension programme glass artist Anne Smyth was commissioned to create a new entrance window for the Michael Tippett Centre. She was given one quotation and a reference from Michael Tippett's operas, The Midsummer Marriage and Kina Priam, as a starting point and below explains how the window developed.

In a similar process to the way that Tippett created his music, I started with the overall structure and then built on the design within the framework in an eclectic way, keeping the quotes in mind and borrowing visual references from Greek mythology, musical text, wood block prints, botanical images etc.

The shape of the overall design has an impact from a distance, as you get closer the rich cast texture and images take over. I have designed the entrance windows to have both a horizontal and circular overall design. The horizontal bands of colour tie the design into the horizontal emphasis of the building and read from left to right like bands of musical text. The circles which radiate throughout the design, start above the doors and move through the glass as ripples on a pond.

Many references are woven into the glass design, for example, the circle above the doors can be seen as an image of creation, the sun fire, a Greek architectural symbol, psychological wholeness or a wheel turned the four seasons. The water motifs running throughout the design depict the flow of sound, life force and creativity.

I wanted the glass to create a watery dream-like quality and to have the vibrancy and energy found within Tippett's music. While making the window I listened to his music hoping that the energy and passion in the music would be captured within the glass. Sometimes the music was flowing and lyrical, sometimes angular and hard listening. I enjoyed working on this commission; I hope this comes across in the window.

The strongly individual lettering designed by Sophie Herxheimer completes the window.

The Starting Points for the Window Design

Verses from Hermes aria in King Priam:

O divine music
O stream of sound,
In which the states of soul,
Flow surfacing and drowning.

The Ritual Dances from the Midsummer Marriage:

1. The Earth in Autumn (the hound chases the hare)
2. The Waters in Winter (the otter chases the fish)
3. The Air in Spring (the hawk chases the bird)
4. The Fire in Summer (the union of woman and man)