For 70 years, Tru Vue® has been an innovator in the glazing industry. So for our anniversary display at the West Coast Art and Frame Expo in January 2017, we asked custom framers to create pieces using some of the most breakthrough products from our history, celebrating the Tru Frameable Moments™ of those times.

 

 

To recognize  the launch of  Reflection Control® in 1969, Myrna Dow chose to commemorate a giant leap for mankind when on July 20, the first man walked on the moon.

 

 

The moment

 

In 1969, the same year that Tru Vue^® launched Reflection Control^® glass and brought the custom framing industry forward, the United States put a man on the moon, closing a decade that was marked progress in many ways. When I was asked to create a piece that represented this era, it was clear to me that the moon landing was the Tru Frameable Moment^™ from the time that had a lasting impact on generations to come.

 

 

I began the design by considering what images I would use to represent the moon landing. Fortunately, NASA has an incredible site that includes a large collection of photographs which, as digital printers, we were able to work with through trial and error to select those with the best resolution for our use. At first, our selections were oriented toward the Earth, but we ultimately chose to make it about the moon. Culling through the images, which influenced the ultimate design, was possibly the most challenging aspect of the project.

 

 

The design

 

The photos we chose are of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle, the Command Module Columbia that carried the astronauts on this historic mission to and from the moon, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon with astronaut Neil Armstrong reflected in the face plate of his helmet. On the latter, we added the words, “That’s one small step …,” signifying the impact this individual action had on the entire world. It changed our perspective on what is possible.

 

 

As the moon landing set in motion further space exploration, Reflection Control was just the beginning for premium glazing in the custom framing industry. Eventually, Museum Glass^® was introduced, combining a superior anti-reflective viewing experience with 99% UV protection. Reflection Control is still used in some applications, but to use it to its best abilities in a framing project; you should only use one to two mat boards to ensure there is no significant air gap between the glazing and the artwork as a non-glare glazing will distort the image if there is too much space. Because of this, I created a thin layer of mat to frame the smaller inset photos. Also, I used a small mat liner around the edge to keep everything as level as possible without adding much depth.

 

 

Out of this world details

 

With the image of the pod, I knew I wanted to work with Atomic Frames on a 30”x 30” frame that emulated the burned, tarnished and colorful patina of the Command Module Columbia after blasting through the atmosphere to return to Earth. With its welded steel construction and custom finishing, Atomic Frames was an ideal choice. The piece is on display in my shop and has generated a lot of interest from customers.

 

 

Reflection Control was a major advancement for the industry at the time, and it shows how far Tru Vue has taken our industry with improvements on glazing in products like Museum Glass and Optium Museum Acrylic®. When you think about how much progress has been made since the end of the 60’s, it’s exciting to consider what’s next in any industry, including custom framing.