Ben Burton – Taking Flight with Fantastic Flamingos

Discussion in 'Bongs, Dab Rigs, Bubblers, Water Pipes' started by Superjoint, Jun 25, 2012.

  1. #1 Superjoint, Jun 25, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 26, 2012
    By: The Glass Otaku

    Throughout history artist across the world have taken the time to concentrate on a particular theme, motif, or in this case animal. For glass-legend Burtoni his love for birds, especially flamingo’s have set off a super-nova of creativity. Having spent a majority of his time bellow water making ocean-themed works Ben is taking flight with a new concept, and we love it.



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    “Another day at the pond”​

    Each flamingo made acts as both a stunning centerpiece as well as a functional dry pipe. Recently he has also broadened his scope by creating flamingo slides for waterpipes. With the dry pipes measuring about 8-9in tall on average these flamingos are larger than life! When we asked Burtoni about his reasoning for tackling the bird for his artistic study we were told, “…My fascination with the flamingo brought me to attempt making one myself, I love their colors as well as the birds unique shape…”



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    “Follow me fam!”​

    So far we’ve seen Burtoni create some flamingos in a variety of colors which are very common to the “Bo$$ Palate” aka the palate of colors Burtoni likes to use most. From stunning Serendipity to Alien Tech to Paparazzi, Burtoni exemplifies his signature clean and fluid-like style to yet another inspiring character from nature. [FONT=&quot]When we asked if there were any new challenges he’s approached when making the flamingos we were told, [/FONT]
    “…The feet and legs take me the longest to make, they’re just time consuming…”



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    “"Paparazzi over Kryptonite Mingo"”​

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    “Tequilla Sunrise & Paparazzi-Mingo”​


    Since their conception Burtoni has collaborated with 4 different artists who have each brought their signature styles to the Flamingo. When famed east coast-based artist Elks That Run came to his studio they created two flamingo’s featuring ETR’s famous Native American influences. One of the flamingos appeared as if it had some elk in his lineage by sporting an impressive set of antlers, the other done in a wood-like finish played host to a small nesting bird.



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    [FONT=&quot]“Flamingolope” (Burtoni & Elks That Run)[/FONT]​

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    [FONT=&quot]“Trojan-Mingo: The Wooden Bird” (Burtoni & Elks That Run)[/FONT]​

    During the collaborations with the Arizona-based CalM he like ETR took his signature styles and incorporated them into the pieces created. Titled “Sick Birds” each flamingo lied covered in CalM’s signaute “gooey” styled drops of contrasting colors. This effect made the birds looks as if they were dripping with snot, or with the darker colors oil suggesting that these birds needed some immediate medical attention.

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    [FONT=&quot]“Drippin’ Mingo” (Burtoni & CalM)[/FONT]​

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    [FONT=&quot]“Tar Mingo” (Burtoni & CalM)[/FONT]​

    The most recent and most exciting collaborations in our opinion have been those featuring the work of Brandon Martin and Shackman. Instead of going with just the same-old-same-old flamingo each artist along with Burtoni opted to raise the stakes. By making the flamingo act as a mount artists added a signature character of theirs for the collaboration. The Brandon Martin collaboration features a stunning Serendipity flamingo playing host to one of Brandon Martin’s alien-like creatures, staff in hand. The Shackman collaboration featured on of Shackman’s signature Robots riding a “mechanized” flamingo. When we asked Burtoni which artist he would like to to collaborate on some flamingos he told us: “…I’d love to make some flamingos with ESP, Salt, Darby, Coyle, and more!!...”


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    [FONT=&quot]“First Collab” (Burton & Brandon Martin)[/FONT]​

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    “Robo-Mingo” (Burtoni and Shack Man)

    Since the flamingo he has also tried his hands at a couple other avian varieties, both the white egret and the noble kingfisher (which is an un-finished collaboration with ETR). We asked him if he was open to trying more birds, in turn we were told, “…I like birds. The Egret by design is very similar to the flamingo. I'd like to do some bigger birds with spread wings and such, but I'm still figuring out a way to make wings that look nice and appropriate…” Needless to say we’re inspired by Burtoni’s creativity, and we’re excited to see what’s next from this true borosilicate-visionary. Stay tuned for more GRASSCITY EXCLUSIVE CONTENT from The Glass Otaku, and be sure to get your daily boro-fix at IgniteMe.co


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    [FONT=&quot]“The Kingfisher” (Burtoni & Elks That Run)[/FONT]​

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    [FONT=&quot]“The Egret”[/FONT]​



     
  2. Wow I love those piece of art man.

    Great tale, great work.
     
  3. How on earth would you be able to smoke out of that? look at the placement of the holes
     

  4. Like a flamingo I guess.....;)
     
  5. Wow, these are absolutely amazing.
     
  6. Wow this is great
     
  7. Big fan of BURTONI
     
  8. Thanks for checking it out guys! More awesome material on the way :)
     
  9. big fan of the "Tar Mingo"

    damn, reading these threads makes me want to start buying from a pro glass maker rather than my LHS

    anyone know how much one of these mingos would cost?
     
  10. I don't know for sure but at least a few hundred. Maybe a grand or more for the collabs.
     
  11. I'm not really sure on a price for these, I know the collaborations would cost more though. And you can still support your LHS, just start telling them you'd like to see some particular artists in the shop. Demand it!
     
  12. too sick!
     
  13. I love these! But I'll never be able to have a delicate piece like that :(
     
  14. Thanks for reading everyone! If you'd like more awesome content like this to read please check out my website IgniteMe.co

    I have started writing for GrassCity.com in hopes to spread the word about all of the new and awesome things going on in the realm of glass art (both functional and non-functional), as well as spread the word about my site. So please take a look and show your friends. Thanks!!

    www.igniteme.co
     
  15. #15 XxNitr0xX, Jul 12, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 12, 2012
    There's some serious talent right there. I'd rock the "Robo-Mingo" :smoking:
     
  16. i love the drippin mingo the best, i bet they dont go cheep
     
  17. Those colabs are amazing man.Id never get anything like this Ive broke too much glass.
     
  18. All of these are very beautiful, can't seem to pick out a favorite.
     

  19. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I437P using Grasscity Forum mobile app
    E

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I437P using Grasscity Forum mobile app​
     

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