Josh Simpson Inhabited Planet

Josh Simpson’s Inhabited Planet series has captivated art collectors, science fiction enthusiasts, and glassblowing aficionados for decades. These mesmerizing glass spheres, each containing intricate landscapes and imagined civilizations, combine master craftsmanship with rich storytelling. More than mere decorative items, the Inhabited Planets represent a fusion of art and imagination, bridging the gap between the real and the fantastical. Each piece tells its own visual narrative, inviting viewers to lose themselves in a universe contained within glass.

Who is Josh Simpson?

Josh Simpson is an American glass artist who has been creating world-renowned pieces for over fifty years. Based in Massachusetts, Simpson’s studio has become a hub for imaginative and technical innovation in the field of glassmaking. He is especially known for his signature cobalt blue glass and a lifelong fascination with astronomy, outer space, and science. This blend of creativity and curiosity has inspired his most celebrated project the Inhabited Planet series.

The Origin of the Inhabited Planet Series

The concept of the Inhabited Planets began in the early 1970s, when Simpson started crafting glass marbles and spheres that mimicked the appearance of celestial bodies. But he wanted to go beyond form and color. Inspired by the possibility of life beyond Earth, he began embedding tiny imaginary cities and environments into these spherical works, thus giving birth to the idea of inhabited planets. The intention was to show not just alien worlds, but bustling microcosms of life, technology, and nature.

Design and Technique

Each Inhabited Planet is made using a complex layering of molten glass, colored elements, and metallic inclusions. Simpson often starts with a base of his signature blue glass, which represents the planet’s surface or atmosphere. He then adds fine details using techniques like:

• Implosion: Drawing tiny images in glass that collapse into themselves, creating three-dimensional forms beneath the surface.
• Filigree: Thin strands of colored glass are laid into the design to create roads, rivers, or building structures.
• Fuming: Using vaporized metals like silver or gold to produce shimmering color effects.

Some planets are as small as a marble, while others can be as large as a basketball. Despite their size, each one features astonishing detail sprawling cities, spacecraft, forests, mountains, and oceans are all possible within a single piece. Through magnification, the viewer can see worlds teeming with imaginative features, evoking the look of distant and speculative civilizations.

Symbolism and Inspiration

Simpson’s Inhabited Planets reflect both hope and curiosity about the cosmos. They suggest that somewhere out there, life may be thriving in unexpected forms. At the same time, they hold up a mirror to Earth, reminding us of the fragility and beauty of our own inhabited planet. These glass worlds symbolize both fantasy and science, offering a playful yet poignant reflection on existence and exploration.

Influenced by Carl Sagan, space missions like Voyager and Hubble’s deep field images, Simpson’s work walks the line between fine art and speculative fiction. Each planet becomes a personal interpretation of what might be, if intelligent life evolved under different conditions and with different values.

Collectors and Public Recognition

Simpson’s Inhabited Planets have been acquired by private collectors, art institutions, and science museums around the world. His work has been featured in the Corning Museum of Glass, the Smithsonian Institution, and various galleries throughout Europe and North America. NASA astronauts have even taken some of his pieces into space, giving his planetary art a literal voyage among the stars.

Special Commissions and One-of-a-Kind Pieces

Josh Simpson occasionally takes on special commissions, allowing clients to request a planet with specific features. These one-of-a-kind artworks may include initials, symbols, or themed settings inspired by the client’s personal story. For example, a commissioned planet might include a coastal village inspired by Italy or abstract structures that represent futuristic technology. Each custom planet remains consistent with Simpson’s vision entire worlds within glass, full of possibility.

Educational and Environmental Connections

Beyond aesthetics, the Inhabited Planets have found their way into educational initiatives. They serve as tools for teaching about the solar system, creativity in science, and the importance of environmental stewardship. Simpson has frequently spoken at schools, museums, and universities about the connection between art and the universe, emphasizing how imagination and scientific inquiry often go hand in hand.

His planets have also been used to inspire environmental awareness. By showing a vivid and beautiful world contained in glass, Simpson hopes to encourage people to value and protect Earth. The irony of viewing a pristine, untouched imaginary world while living on a polluted one is not lost on him or his audiences.

The Megaplanet

One of Simpson’s most ambitious works is the Megaplanet, a massive glass sphere that weighs over 100 pounds and contains an astonishing level of detail. It took months to complete and includes an entire ecosystem of cities, structures, and landscapes. The Megaplanet is often displayed in museums and remains one of the most impressive pieces of contemporary glass art in the world.

Challenges and Achievements

Creating an Inhabited Planet isn’t easy. Working with molten glass at extreme temperatures requires not only physical endurance but also precision and timing. Each layer must be added without cracking the entire piece, and a single flaw can render hours of work useless. Simpson’s studio has mastered these techniques over decades, making his planets some of the most technically demanding glassworks in the field.

His achievements have earned him numerous awards, fellowships, and widespread acclaim in both artistic and scientific communities. Yet, despite the fame, Simpson continues to work with the same passion and curiosity that drove him as a young artist intrigued by the cosmos.

A Living Legacy

Josh Simpson’s Inhabited Planets are more than art they’re invitations to dream. Each piece reflects the limitless possibilities of imagination, science, and craftsmanship. By blending his fascination with the universe and his talent as a glass artist, Simpson has created a body of work that continues to inspire awe and wonder. Whether displayed in a museum or held in someone’s hand, his planets remind us that there is always more to explore, even in a world the size of a grapefruit.

From intricate miniature cities to cosmic dreamscapes, Josh Simpson’s Inhabited Planet series is a testament to the power of vision and skill. It bridges the gap between what we know and what we imagine, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary potential of both the universe and human creativity.