c.k. atlantic city show

**purdy** · 10-15-2011, 09:22 PM

I recently went to the c.k. show in atlantic city to see the flame off, and to finally see slingers movie. Slinger's movie was truly amazing, and all the glass i got to check out was great as well. But i was pretty disturbed by the direction that this industry is going. The show was less about glass and more about research chemicals. I probably left the show with enough "chemicals" that were shoved at me to kill a horse, or two. It was hard to see such talented and amazing artists displaying their work along side the kind of scumbags that would pedal bathsalts across the country. It is amazing that we have worked so hard as a community to legitimize what we do, only to have it be seen in the same context as these dangerous chemicals that make their way into the hands of young kids. No wonder people have such a hard time seeing pipes as "art". I know trade shows are a great way to get orders and keep ourselves busy, but based on what i saw in atlantic city, im having a hard time legitimizing my own work. Obama even realizes that things have gotten way out of hand. If we don't make decisions that help ensure the longevity of our industry, we will all end up in jail or worse, having to get real jobs. I know i dont want either of those things to happen to me. I love glass and would like to keep blowing glass for the rest of my life. I want to know what you guys think about this. Anyone who was there in ac, what did you think? How can we keep our industry safe?

BK · 10-15-2011, 11:37 PM

..

**Julian** · 10-16-2011, 01:27 AM

If we don't make decisions that help ensure the longevity of our industry, we will all end up in jail or worse, having to get real jobs.

I've recently heard people who have been in the industry for a while have recently voiced concerns that if some other sectors of the industry do not start showing discretion and good taste, there could very well be an OPD II that puts a damper on everything for a while. Indeed, last time there was a legal chill put over everyone, many people did just that... sought real jobs.

Obama even realizes that things have gotten way out of hand.

It's not bath salts that are out of hand, it's the dreadful state of drug laws in our country. You know, paramilitary police busting down doors, shooting dogs, stealing money... mercenaries fumigating jungles in Columbia, lawmakers ignoring the constutitution and allowing illegal forfeiture, searches and seizures... judges, attorneys, prison companies, unions and police who personally profit from this and work to keep things how they are.

So, I'd say what you are perceiving is a symptom of our societies sickness in this regard. I don't think people would be buying bath salts or 'spice' if they had access to the drugs they actually want. If laws were sensible and not designed to prey upon the public, I don't think our glassblowing culture and the bath salt culture (whatever that is) would mix in this way.

**TlkQ** · 10-16-2011, 06:49 AM

Champs has become like 80% import crap and spice bullshit. The only remaining good trade show IMHO is AGE

**full_kiln** · 10-16-2011, 08:12 AM

Yeah man, atlntic city show really turned me off to the paraphanelia industry/pipe scene

**slinger** · 10-16-2011, 10:57 AM

the thing is that glass pipe "art" (including american made prodo) needs to be separated from the rest of the "industry"... most things in a headshop are cheesy, or degrading, or just dumb, and only bring down nicely crafted american pipes to a more low brow level than they deserve,,,, check out the Glassroots Art Show, it is all american crafted glass, no imports, no spice, no bullshit... i feel you about A/C, it was less than impressive minus the flame off and film screening....

**slinger** · 10-16-2011, 10:59 AM

its like there are two types of headshops out there: ones that are consciously run and are into being more of a "gallery" for pipes, and ones that are dark, dingey hodge podges of cheap shit from other countries....

**jello** · 10-16-2011, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by slinger

its like there are two types of headshops out there: ones that are consciously run and are into being more of a "gallery" for pipes, and ones that are dark, dingey hodge podges of cheap shit from other countries....

Right

**Forche** · 10-16-2011, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by purdyglass

I recently went to the c.k. show in atlantic city to see the flame off, and to finally see slingers movie. Slinger's movie was truly amazing, and all the glass i got to check out was great as well.

Is this available to purchase yet??

**purdy** · 10-16-2011, 12:25 PM

Julian I understand what you are saying about the drug laws creating the market for spice and bathsalts, and forcing the lumping of glass with everything else. But I think that we have come so far as a community to let this continue. We do have a choice when it comes to where we display our work. It seems to me that the glass pipe industry has seen a true revitalization in the last few years, and is more respected and legitimate than ever. We shouldn't have to show our work in this sort of context, pipes truly do sell themselves. I know that we all need to make our money, and there is a lot of money to be made at events like ck. But, the greedier we are and the less we care about our dignity as a community, the quicker law makers will be to classify us in the same group of people creating and selling dangerous research chemicals.

Slinger, I'd like to start off by saying thank you for everything that you have done for our community. I was truly honored to see your movie. I know how much work you put into the project, and it truly shows. I also know what dedication you have to your work and to our community. I would think that it must be hard to watch the industry head this direction. I would love to check out the glassroots show, unfortunately i wont be able to make it in time. However, I will be showing a piece at made gallery in chicago for the "suck on it show". I agree that events like these are what will keep pushing us forward. I have a lot of respect for people like cmaz and ed at made, and anyone else who works to promote glass pipes as more than just products.

We are probably some of the luckiest people in the world, because we are able to make money doing something that we love to do. The only thing i ask is that we not squander this opportunity for quick cash.

**Kevin Bumble** · 10-16-2011, 12:54 PM

I vow to flip any table I see at any show over that is selling spice or bath salts who's gonna join me!

**Kevin Bumble** · 10-16-2011, 12:55 PM

good thing I'm not going to the big show or champs. but hey fly me out and watch all the fun I make

**purdy** · 10-16-2011, 12:59 PM

hell yeah, i got a nice piece of 95 x 9 that would make a good "Persuasion" stick

**Braden Hammond** · 10-16-2011, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin Bumble

I vow to flip any table I see at any show over that is selling spice or bath salts who's gonna join me!

Kevin is for sure a bad ass!

**Kaizen** · 10-16-2011, 07:04 PM

Sorry if this is a lame question but what chemicals were they? Seriously bath salts? Like the ones my wife uses?

**Julian** · 10-16-2011, 11:18 PM

Well, I mean to suggest that stuff should be viewed in the context of our dysfunctional society. Wherever that gets you I guess.

I agree it has nothing to do with our glass and basically belongs at a different trade show.

**mer** · 10-16-2011, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by Kaizen

Sorry if this is a lame question but what chemicals were they? Seriously bath salts? Like the ones my wife uses?

it's not lame, it's blissfully ordinary. "bath salts" are the code name for a new group of chemicals that are supposed to be modeled after existing illegal drugs. by all accounts they are terribly un-fun and will probably soon be illegal. if your wife used them you'd know. there's a ton of info on erowid.org.

**KT-Old School Glass** · 10-17-2011, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by slinger

the thing is that glass pipe "art" (including american made prodo) needs to be separated from the rest of the "industry"... most things in a headshop are cheesy, or degrading, or just dumb, and only bring down nicely crafted american pipes to a more low brow level than they deserve,,,, check out the Glassroots Art Show, it is all american crafted glass, no imports, no spice, no bullshit... i feel you about A/C, it was less than impressive minus the flame off and film screening....

Well said and, yes, GLAS and AGE is the way to go.

**Samson** · 10-17-2011, 05:09 AM

After working with glass for 10 years I finally got to go do something .... I agree with everyone saying the show was weak .... it really was .... other then the FlameOff .... the great people I had a chance to meet and the unreal glass ... everything else was fucked. Spice everywhere, the booth next to us (Hippie Hookup) had some DJ turning and scratching when really good music was playing in the middle. The import stuff .... well, let's just say their getting better by the day. They had a table full of spiders and what not and they were good. Hard to say but the truth.

I got to watch the slinger movie too and all I can say is wow. I had no clue coming from the sculpture/soft glass world just what this industry has gone thru and the people that went thru it. The movie was awesome, informative and really makes you WANT to join in and make it all go the way the artists would like to see their work visualized. TYVM from a newbie Slinger, you let me see the other 3/4 of the world and I've got a much better understanding of the entire picture now.

O, and after talking to Barry, I'll not be missing AGI nxt year 8) See ya there

**puddletown** · 10-17-2011, 09:55 AM

Its funny how everuone complains about the spice and bathsalts, but nobody calls out the "family" who came up with that crap. Why is that? There are people out there dying from this shit, and yet everyone is ok with that shit being sold right next to beautiful glass art. The law makers would rather put us ALL in jail instead of trying to seperate spice and bathsalts from "tobacco" products. If we dont care about the difference, why should they?