LINO TAGLIAPIETRA — From Murano to Studio Glass: works 1954 – 2011

This is Murano Glass (or at least a marvelous rendition of how it has evolved.)

So many travelers come to Venice having heard of Murano’s fame for hot glass, but knowing little else about it. Unfortunately, the best way to acquire some context of this complicated subject is not necessarily from someone trying to sell it to you. Murano seems to be waking up to this idea, thankfully, with inexpensive tours they offer, the current exhibit at the Correr, and now this extraordinary retrospective of master artist Lino Tagliapietra (tah-ya-pee-eh-tra– his first ever in Italy, believe it or not.

Tagliapietra is one of the most famous of the contemporary Murano artists, and in the tradition of Seguso, conceptualizes, designs, and then creates his own works. Tagliapietra has also been an ambassador for Murano glass, one of the few traveling extensively around the world to share his work, his approach, and his Murano life and tradition. “Lino thinks in glass,” is the quote from Rosa Barovier, co-curator of the exhibition and grand dame of the oldest glass-producing family on the island.

The exhibit opens with a brief film, after which you’ll wander through decades of the captivating results of Lino’s artistic thought process: a rich and diverse collection ranging from exquisite examples of scintillating color, to more involved sculptures incorporating techniques that add just enough dimension to exalt without encumbering.

If you have any interest whatsoever in Murano Glass, choosing either this exhibit, the one at the Correr, or if you can manage it, combining the two (the Correr first) would be extraordinarily satisfying activity — and guaranteed to improve your glass awareness in the process.

LINO TAGLIAPIETRA
From Murano to Studio Glass. Works 1954 – 2011

though May 22, 2011
Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti (vaporetto Accademia, San Samuele)
On the Grand Canal at the base of the Accademia Bridge
+39 041 5237819
Tues – Sun, 10 am – 7 pm (ticket office closes at 6 pm) 
Tickets €7, €5 reduced. Call for group prices

Curated by Rosa Barovier Mentasti and Sandro Pezzoli, hosted by the Istituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed Arti and Civita Tre Venezie, sponsored by the Regione del Veneto, under the aegis of the Provincia di Venezia and the Comune di Venezia, in association with Venezia Iniziative Culturali. The official exhibition partner is the Scaletta di Vetro gallery.