National Glass Centre'S Magic Carpet Is Uk'S Biggest Glass Artwork

The UK's largest ever piece of kiln-formed glass has been unveiled at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland. Weighing in at a staggering 30 kilos (66lbs) and measuring 1.8 meters by 1.4 meters, the massive work was created by Czech artist Alena Matejkova. Called "Magic Carpets" the piece was produced using western Europe's largest kiln, part of the University of Sunderland's glass department, within the National Glass Centre. It is now on display in the entrance to the centre, where it will stay until it heads off on tour around the world, before ending up at Expo 2005 in Japan.