DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709260114

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E14  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   30 lines

GLASS ARTIST COMES TO CHRYSLER MUSEUM

AN internationally famous glass artist will speak at 2 p.m. today at The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk. Howard Ben Tre of Providence, R.I., will show slides and video of his handsome minimalist sculptures made from metals and cast glass.

Ben Tre is included in major collections, including New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has had solo shows at such top venues as The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.

Five years ago, the Chrysler acquired a 1984 work, ``Columnar 20,'' currently on display in the 20th century galleries.

Some of his pieces have an architectural feel, while others are large vessel shapes. ``His work has an almost classical elegance,'' said Gary Baker, the Chrysler's glass curator.

``He's looked at ancient civilizations. I think he has thought about ancient Greek and Roman columns - although you'd never look at the column we have and think it derived from any source in particular.''

The museum's Glass Associates are hosting the free talk. At 245 W. Olney Road. Call 664-6200. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Glass artist Howard Ben Tre has had his work showcased at several

top venues.

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