Glass of just about every color, shape, size, pattern and texture is decorating much of Messe Düsseldorf this week where glasstec 2008 is underway. Exhibitors and attendees have traveled from all over the world to be here for five days of all the glass industry has to offer. And for those with an eye for all things decorative, there’s definitely a lot for them to see and experience

A walk through the Glass Technology Live exhibition takes visitors through a maze of some of the most innovative displays of architectural glass. The German company Seele, for example, has created an expansive glass bridge, across which attendees can walk and under which they marvel. The company is also demonstrating how strong glass can actually be by displaying a Porsche on top of a large, heavy glass laminated table.

A few steps away, but still in the Glass Technology Live pavilion, visitors can view a portion of a glazed memorial at Atocha Station in Madrid, which was constructed in remembrance of the March 3, 2004, terrorist attacks there. The memorial stands 11 meters high and features about 15,600 solid glass blocks. Because of the curvature of the glass blocks the memorial was able to be constructed without any steel elements and yet still maintain great rigidity.

Representing the decorative art glass scene, a number of companies traveled from the United States to exhibit their wares as well.

Kokomo Opalescent Glass in Kokomo, Ind., which offers more than 10,000 colors and color combinations, is showing a number of products such as opalescent glass, made with the color white and glass streaked with different colors. Doug Little, senior vice president of outside sales, says his company is also showing casting glass products, which are becoming more popular in the architectural market

“Fusing is also popular,” said Little.

“Anything with hot glass is popular in the United States,” he added. For Kokomo, about 20 percent of its business is from international customers, so exhibiting at glasstec is a good opportunity to network.

“We get to see our foreign customers and hopefully are able to gain a few more while we’re here,” said Little.

Spectrum Glass from Woodinville, Wash., makes sheet glass primarily for the stained glass, fused glass and architectural glass markets. In addition, they also offer clear, textured glass products that Randy Gray, sales manager, says are very popular among architects and designers. The company ships its products all over the world, mainly working through distributors and manufacturers.

“We’re here to make new contacts, meet new customers and to [explore] new markets for our products, especially ones where art glass is not easily available,” said Gray. “The show also allows us to have contact with our existing customers and it’s a good opportunity to