Historically, stained glass was reserved for opulent lamps, church windows, and regal architecture, but artist Victor Solomon has taken this time-honored craft in a totally unexpected direction. His Literally Balling project combines the ornate art with the sport of basketball. Elegant backboards are composed in beautiful designs, meticulously cut and soldered in the traditional Tiffany Style. Their hoops are strung in crystals, shimmering as they dangle from gold rims.
While Solomon’s playful pieces juxtapose two facets of culture, they also symbolize contemporary attitudes towards the sport: fans so fascinated by basketball that they have a religious devotion to it, as well as athletes as modern-day “kings” of the court. Aside from basketball, Solomon’s elegant works also comment on the fragility of luxury–you can look at these pieces, but you can’t actually use them as intended. A free throw could shatter the stained glass designs and rip the jeweled nets, destroying the artist’s fragile handiwork. Ultimately, it’s an aesthetic and thought-provoking collection.
Literally Balling: Website | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Victor Solomon.